--
name: explain_subject
title: Explain a Subject at a Given Level
desc: Ask the assistant to explain any subject for a specific audience, with optional examples, analogies, and focus areas.
params:
  subject:
    type: string
    desc: The subject to explain
    def: "recursion"
  audience_level:
    type: option_single
    desc: Expertise level of the intended reader
    opts:
      - "beginner"
      - "intermediate"
      - "advanced"
      - "expert"
    def: "beginner"
  max_words:
    type: number
    desc: Approximate upper bound on the explanation length
    def: 500
  tone:
    type: option_single
    desc: Desired tone of the explanation
    opts:
      - "academic"
      - "casual"
      - "neutral"
    def: "neutral"
  include_examples:
    type: boolean
    desc: Whether to include concrete examples
    def: true
  include_analogy:
    type: boolean
    desc: Whether to include an analogy to anchor intuition
    def: true
  prerequisites:
    type: list
    desc: Concepts the reader is assumed to already know
    etype: string
    def: []
  focus_areas:
    type: option_multi
    desc: Aspects to cover in the explanation
    etype: string
    opts:
      - "definitions"
      - "history"
      - "applications"
      - "common_pitfalls"
      - "further_reading"
    def:
      - "definitions"
      - "applications"
      - "common_pitfalls"
--

Explain the subject "[[[SUBJECT]]]" for a [[[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]]] reader.

Constraints:
- Keep the explanation under roughly [[[MAX_WORDS]]] words.
- Tone: {{{TONE = "academic" ? "academic and precise" : ""}}}{{{TONE = "casual" ? "casual and friendly" : ""}}}{{{TONE = "neutral" ? "neutral and clear" : ""}}}.
- Audience level: [[[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]]].

Prerequisites the reader is assumed to already understand (if any):
{{{for PREREQ in PREREQUISITES}}}
- [[[PREREQ]]]
{{{end for}}}

Please cover the following aspects, in this order:
{{{if FOCUS_AREAS contains "definitions"}}}
1. A clear, concise definition of [[[SUBJECT]]].
{{{end if}}}
{{{if FOCUS_AREAS contains "history"}}}
2. A brief history of how [[[SUBJECT]]] emerged and why it matters.
{{{end if}}}
{{{if FOCUS_AREAS contains "applications"}}}
3. Real-world applications of [[[SUBJECT]]].
{{{end if}}}
{{{if FOCUS_AREAS contains "common_pitfalls"}}}
4. Common pitfalls and misconceptions to avoid.
{{{end if}}}
{{{if FOCUS_AREAS contains "further_reading"}}}
5. Suggestions for further reading, ordered from introductory to advanced.
{{{end if}}}

{{{if INCLUDE_ANALOGY}}}
Include at least one analogy that helps a [[[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]]] reader build intuition.
{{{end if}}}

{{{if INCLUDE_EXAMPLES}}}
Include at least two concrete examples illustrating [[[SUBJECT]]] in practice.
{{{end if}}}

End with a one-paragraph summary that a [[[AUDIENCE_LEVEL]]] reader could repeat back from memory.
--