# AI Tutor Skills in ai-engineering-from-scratch: Complete Guide to 8 Modular Learning Agents > Explore AI tutor skills in the ai-engineering-from-scratch project. Discover 8 modular learning agents designed for a state-driven tutoring architecture powered by markdown skill contracts. - Repository: [Rohit Ghumare/ai-engineering-from-scratch](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch) - Tags: deep-dive - Published: 2026-08-30 --- **The ai-engineering-from-scratch repository provides eight portable AI tutor skills—`start-learning`, `learn`, `learn-mcp`, `learn-agent-skills`, `find-your-level`, `check-understanding`, `course-guide`, and `claude-certification`—that form a modular, state-driven tutoring architecture powered by markdown-based skill contracts.** This open-source project by **rohitg00** implements a **portable skill system** where each AI tutor capability lives in its own directory under `skills//` with a standardized [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/SKILL.md) contract. These skills enable interactive, resumable learning experiences for AI engineering topics without requiring external platforms or databases. ## Core Architecture of AI Tutor Skills Every skill in the repository follows a **common portable-skill contract** defined in its [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/SKILL.md) file. This contract specifies: - **Name and version** – explicit identifier for host routing - **Description** – concise purpose statement - **Host-invocation contract** – syntax for Codex, Claude-Code, and natural-language triggers - **State files** – markdown files that persist learner progress - **Routing logic** – how resume/continue/start requests delegate between skills - **Content sources** – local `phases/` directory or raw GitHub URLs for lesson material This architecture allows learners to **switch routes dynamically**, resume any progress, and receive consistent tutoring regardless of which AI host they use. ## Complete List of AI Tutor Skills ### `start-learning` – Personalized Onboarding **Primary purpose:** Interviews the learner, runs placement assessment, and creates the master learning plan. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/start-learning/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/start-learning/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/start-learning/SKILL.md) | When invoked, this skill: 1. Gathers learner background and goals 2. Executes `find-your-level` for placement 3. Writes [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) with mission, recommended entry phase, and selected learning path As implemented in `rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch`, the skill includes **resume routing logic** (lines 43-53) that checks for existing state files and hands off to the appropriate specialized skill. ### `learn` – Full Curriculum Interactive Tutor **Primary purpose:** Reads the learning plan, fetches next lessons, teaches interactively, and logs progress. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/learn/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn/SKILL.md) | The `learn` skill implements the **core tutoring loop**: - Reads [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) to identify the current lesson - Sources content from local `phases/` directory or raw GitHub URLs (lines 35-42) - Presents material interactively with inline quizzes - Appends progress rows to [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) (lines 64-71) - Adds low-scoring lessons to a review queue ```bash # Direct invocation learn ``` ### `learn-mcp` – Model-Context-Protocol Focused Track **Primary purpose:** Dedicated tutor for the Model-Context-Protocol specialization with isolated state management. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | [`MCP-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/MCP-LEARNING.md) | | **Manifest** | [[`learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/model-context-protocol.json) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/learn-mcp/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn-mcp/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn-mcp/SKILL.md) | This skill maintains its own **evidence-recording scheme** (lines 30-33) separate from the main curriculum. It's designed for learners who want to focus exclusively on MCP concepts without the broader AI engineering curriculum. ```bash # Claude-Code syntax /learn-mcp ``` ### `learn-agent-skills` – Agent Skills Specialization **Primary purpose:** Tutor for the five-lesson Agent-Skills track. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | [`AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md) | | **Manifest** | [[`learning-paths/agent-skills.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/agent-skills.json)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/learning-paths/agent-skills.json) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/learn-agent-skills/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn-agent-skills/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/learn-agent-skills/SKILL.md) | Similar to `learn-mcp`, this skill operates in **isolated state** for focused learning on agent construction patterns. ### `find-your-level` – Placement Assessment **Primary purpose:** 10-question quiz that maps learner knowledge to appropriate entry phase. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | None (stateless) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/find-your-level/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/find-your-level/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/find-your-level/SKILL.md) | The quiz structure (lines 19-23) presents questions in **5 rounds**, isolates answer keys to prevent leakage, and applies scoring logic (lines 25-28) to recommend entry points from Phase 1 through advanced tracks. ```bash # Invoke directly find-your-level ``` ### `check-understanding` – Phase-Level Assessment **Primary purpose:** Post-lesson comprehensive quiz for an entire phase. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | Reads [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) for context | | **Definition** | [[`skills/check-understanding/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/check-understanding/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/check-understanding/SKILL.md) | This skill aggregates all `"post"` quiz items from a phase's [`quiz.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/quiz.json) file—such as [[`phases/13-tools-and-protocols/quiz.json`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/phases/13-tools-and-protocols/quiz.json)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/tree/main/phases)—to validate mastery before progression. ```bash # Natural-language trigger Check my understanding of Phase 13 ``` ### `course-guide` – Topic Navigation **Primary purpose:** Jump directly to any lesson or concept regardless of current plan. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | Uses [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) if present (optional) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/course-guide/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/course-guide/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/course-guide/SKILL.md) | The `course-guide` skill enables **non-linear exploration**—learners can query specific topics like "transformers" and receive direct navigation to relevant lessons. ```bash # Codex-style invocation course-guide transformers ``` ### `claude-certification` – Certification Orchestration **Primary purpose:** Manages the complete Claude certification workflow including tracks, exams, and artifact validation. | Attribute | Details | |-----------|---------| | **State file** | [`CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md) | | **Definition** | [[`skills/claude-certification/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/claude-certification/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/skills/claude-certification/SKILL.md) | This is the **highest-level guidance skill**, coordinating multiple certification tracks and maintaining persistent progress across exam attempts. ```bash # Claude-Code slash command /claude-certification ``` ## Skill Invocation Examples The **portable-skill contract** supports multiple host syntaxes. Here are complete examples for each skill: ```bash # 1. Start personalized learning plan start-learning # 2. Resume existing progress Resume my learning plan # 3. Run next lesson in full curriculum learn # 4. Switch to MCP specialization /learn-mcp # 5. Run placement quiz standalone find-your-level # 6. Assess phase mastery Check my understanding of Phase 13 # 7. Navigate to specific topic course-guide transformers # 8. Begin certification workflow /claude-certification ``` ## State File Routing Mechanism A key architectural feature is **automatic skill delegation based on state file presence**. When the `start-learning` or `learn` skills receive a "resume" request, they check for these files in order: | State File Detected | Skill Delegated To | |---------------------|-------------------| | [`MCP-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/MCP-LEARNING.md) | `learn-mcp` | | [`AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md) | `learn-agent-skills` | | [`CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md) | `claude-certification` | | [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) | `learn` (default) | This routing table (defined in `start-learning` SKILL.md lines 43-53) ensures learners always resume in the correct context without manual intervention. ## Content Sourcing Strategy Skills source lesson material through a **fallback hierarchy**: 1. **Local clone:** Read from `phases/-/` directory 2. **Remote fetch:** Retrieve from `raw.githubusercontent.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/...` URLs This dual-mode operation enables the tutor to function whether the repository is cloned locally or accessed through a web-based AI host. ## Summary - **Eight portable AI tutor skills** provide complete coverage: onboarding, full-curriculum tutoring, two specialized tracks (MCP and Agent Skills), placement testing, phase assessment, topic navigation, and certification management - **Markdown-based state files** ([`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md), [`MCP-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/MCP-LEARNING.md), [`AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/AGENT-SKILLS-LEARNING.md), [`CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/CLAUDE-CERTIFICATION.md)) enable resumable, host-agnostic learning - **Portable-skill contract** standardizes invocation across Codex, Claude-Code, and natural-language interfaces - **Automatic routing** delegates resume requests to the appropriate skill based on detected state files - **Dual content sourcing** works with local clones or remote GitHub URLs ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I switch between the main curriculum and a specialized track? Use `course-guide` to navigate directly, or simply start the specialized skill (`learn-mcp` or `learn-agent-skills`). The system will create the appropriate state file and begin that track. To return, invoke `learn`—the routing logic in `start-learning` (lines 43-53) will detect your [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md) and resume the main curriculum. ### Can I run these AI tutor skills without cloning the repository? Yes. The skills fetch lesson content from raw GitHub URLs when the local `phases/` directory is unavailable. However, cloning [`rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch) provides faster access and enables offline learning. ### What happens to my progress if I switch AI hosts? Progress persists in markdown state files committed to your repository fork or saved locally. Since all hosts read the same [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/SKILL.md) contracts and state file formats, you can resume seamlessly across Codex, Claude-Code, or any other compatible environment. ### How does the placement quiz determine my starting phase? The `find-your-level` skill presents 10 questions across 5 rounds, maps your total score to phase thresholds defined in its [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/SKILL.md) (lines 25-28), and writes the recommended entry point into [`LEARNING.md`](https://github.com/rohitg00/ai-engineering-from-scratch/blob/main/LEARNING.md). You can override this manually or retake the quiz at any time.