---
name: flashcards
slug: flashcards
version: 1.0.0
description: Create effective flashcards with optimal formatting, spaced repetition integration, and memory science principles.
homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/flashcards
metadata:
  clawdbot:
    emoji: 🃏
    displayName: Flashcards
---

## Card Formulation Rules

**One fact per card**: Never combine multiple concepts. "What is X?" not "What are X, Y, and Z?"

**Atomic questions**: Break complex topics into smallest testable units. Each card tests exactly one thing.

**Bidirectional cards for definitions**: Create both term→definition AND definition→term to prevent recognition-only learning.

**Use cloze deletions for facts**: "The mitochondria is the {{c1::powerhouse}} of the cell" forces active recall.

## Question Types by Effectiveness

**Best retention**: Why/How questions that require understanding, not just recall.

**Good retention**: Fill-in-the-blank, definition recall, process steps.

**Weak retention**: Yes/No questions, multiple choice (use sparingly).

**Avoid**: Questions answerable by pattern matching or elimination.

## Anki-Specific Formatting

**TSV import format**: `front\tback\ttag1 tag2` — tabs separate fields, spaces separate tags.

**Cloze syntax**: `{{c1::answer}}` for single deletion, `{{c1::first}} and {{c2::second}}` for multiple.

**Image occlusion**: Use for diagrams, maps, anatomical images. Hide labels, reveal on flip.

**Tags for organization**: Use hierarchical tags `subject::topic::subtopic` for filtered study.

## Memory Science Integration

**Minimum information principle**: Simpler cards = better retention. If card feels complex, split it.

**Personal connection**: Add context from your experience. "X reminds me of Y" strengthens encoding.

**Concrete over abstract**: "Paris is capital of France" beats "Capitals are important cities."

**Imagery when possible**: Visual descriptions enhance memory. "Mitochondria = bean-shaped power plant."

## Common Mistakes

**Too much text on back**: Keep answers under 20 words. Long answers = weak recall signal.

**Orphan cards**: Cards without context fail. Include source/chapter in tags.

**Copy-paste from textbook**: Rephrase in your own words. Understanding before memorization.

**Skipping hard cards**: Difficulty means you need it most. Never suspend without replacement.

## Output Formats

**Anki TSV**: `question\tanswer\ttag1 tag2`

**Quizlet import**: Question and answer separated by tab, cards separated by newline.

**Markdown table**: For review before import.
```
| Front | Back | Tags |
|-------|------|------|
| Q1 | A1 | topic |
```

## Spaced Repetition Settings

**New cards/day**: 10-20 for sustainable learning. More causes review pile-up.

**Review intervals**: Trust the algorithm. Don't manually reschedule.

**Again vs Hard**: "Again" = complete failure (resets interval). "Hard" = struggle but recalled.

**Leeches**: Cards failed 8+ times need rewriting, not more repetition.


---
Source attribution: clawic
Original project: https://github.com/clawic/skills/blob/f825206afbf1c697202533a9187be68c7b697e0e/skills/flashcards/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ivan G. Davila

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: clawic
Original project: https://github.com/clawic/skills/blob/f825206afbf1c697202533a9187be68c7b697e0e/skills/flashcards/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Education & Research
Roles: Curriculum Designer, Researcher, Tutor / Instructor
Specialties: Specialty not specified
Tools: Anki, Quizlet
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 59f6e702342a20a0529324dcc5663a741d33e982dfbf468bd01593cdcf6243ff