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

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new Chrome extension applies spaced repetition to LeetCode-style coding problems, aiming to reduce the friction of tracking and revisiting past questions directly within the site. Commenters compare it to existing tools like Anki and FSRS, debating whether dedicated interview-prep SRS tools add enough value over general-purpose flashcard systems. The thread broadens into arguments over memorization versus conceptual understanding in programming, the role of LeetCode in modern hiring, and how adaptive or spaced practice can influence both interview performance and real-world skills.

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”).