Learn mode & curriculum

Learn mode is Contral's structured curriculum inside your editor. You work through topics in order, practise in real code files, use hints when you're stuck, and prove what you've learned at checkpoints and exams.

Languages available in Learn mode#

Learn mode currently teaches Java. It's the only Learn mode language shipping today; more languages are planned but there's no published schedule. See the Learn mode roadmap↗.

Build mode is different: the Build agent and teaching cards work with whatever language your project uses.

Opening Learn mode#

• Use the Build/Learn toggle at the top of the Contral panel, or type /learn in the chat.
• Type /roadmap (or run Contral: Open Roadmap) to see the full curriculum.
• In Contral IDE, run Contral: Toggle Learn/Build Mode from the Command Palette.

The Java curriculum in Contral#

The Java roadmap has four categories, each ending in a Mega Exam:

Topics unlock in order. If a topic is locked you'll see "Complete earlier topics to unlock this topic."

Which Learn mode topics are free#

Locked paid topics show "This topic requires Pro." (or "Upgrade to Pro to access this topic" in the desktop IDE) with an Upgrade button.

On the Free plan, AI explanations inside lessons count toward your 5 code explanations per day. Paid plans and all AppSumo tiers have unlimited explanations. See Usage limits & quotas explained.

How a Learn mode topic works#

Each topic is a mission made of steps:

1. Theory: the concept, explained.
2. Observe: working example code to read.
3. Do: you write code in a practice file.
4. Debug: you fix broken code.
5. Explain: you explain the code in your own words.
6. Boss: a final challenge for the topic.

Contral checks your work automatically: by compiling and running your code, checking output, running tests, or asking multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Practice files are created in your workspace under .contral/learn/<topic>/.

Hints in Learn mode#

Hints teach without giving away the answer. Each hint level costs 1 hint credit.

• You start with 3 hint credits.
• You earn +3 for completing a topic, +5 for beating a boss challenge, +1 for a correct explanation and +2 for a successful debug.

When you finish a topic you'll see "Topic complete · +N hints".

Checkpoints in Learn mode#

At the end of a lesson project, type /checkpoint to get AI feedback on your project. Checkpoint feedback needs you to be signed in.

Where your Learn mode progress is saved#

Learn progress is saved on your computer, in ~/.contral/progress.json. Your dashboard's Learning Progress card summarizes it.

If you switch computers, back up ~/.contral/progress.json and copy it to the same place on the new machine.

Daily concept and streaks#

Contral can show a short daily concept card and track your learning streak in the status bar. Turn them off with the contral.dailyConcept.enabled and contral.streak.remindersOff settings.

Completion certificates#

Completion certificates are included in Pro+, Teams and AppSumo Tier 3. They aren't part of the Free plan, Pro, or AppSumo Tiers 1 and 2. If you're on an eligible plan and have questions about your certificate, contact support.