Show HN: I made a spaced repetition tool to master coding problems

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Tool concept and scope

  • Browser extension integrates directly into LeetCode to apply spaced repetition to previously attempted problems.
  • Aims to solve the “bookmark problems in docs/notes and forget them” issue and to prioritize harder or older problems for review.
  • Currently only surfaces problems the user has already tried; some commenters want a way to mark a problem as “mastered” so it stops appearing.

Recommendation algorithm and planned enhancements

  • Current scoring is roughly: problems attempted longest ago × problem difficulty; top ~5 are recommended.
  • Suggestions: factor in topic/pattern (e.g., two pointers, trees), detect weak categories and emphasize them, and potentially adopt more advanced SRS algorithms like FSRS.

Comparison with Anki and other SRS tools

  • Many see this as “Anki but inside LeetCode.”
  • Some prefer generic tools (Anki, org-drill, Mnemosyne) since they already use them for everything and can easily add LeetCode cards or import public decks.
  • Others value reduced friction of not context-switching and like direct integration into the coding site.
  • There are pointers to Anki decks that auto-import solved LeetCode problems and to FSRS implementations that could be integrated.

Spaced repetition vs. understanding

  • One camp argues SRS is ill-suited to coding interviews, which should test reasoning and problem-solving, not memorized solutions.
  • A larger counter-camp says:
    • Memorizing patterns, methods, and fundamentals via SRS improves fluency, supports deeper understanding, and boosts interview performance.
    • SRS is best used after initial learning to retain concepts and patterns over time, not as a replacement for understanding.
    • Research and personal experience (math, languages, algorithms) are cited in favor of memorization plus SRS.

LeetCode interview culture

  • Multiple comments explain “LeetCode grind” and its role in highly competitive tech interviews.
  • Some see LeetCode as a standardized filter and partial leveler; others criticize it as over-emphasizing rote skill and harming creative problem-solving.

Product feedback and misc

  • Requests: non-Google sign-in, clarify pricing if any, fix mobile menu bug, support non-Chrome browsers.
  • Mixed reactions: several find the idea promising and the landing page attractive; a few dismiss memorizing LeetCode as pointless or mis-targeted (“not real coding problems”).