---
name: flashcard-creator
description: Create flashcards for spaced repetition learning, compatible with Anki import. Supports basic cards, cloze deletions, and mnemonic aids. Use when creating study flashcards, Anki decks, vocabulary cards, memorization aids, or spaced repetition materials from notes or topics. Triggers - create flashcards, make Anki cards, spaced repetition, memory cards, cloze deletion cards.
---

# Flashcard Creator

Generate effective flashcards optimized for spaced repetition learning systems like Anki.

## Workflow

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A[Source Material] --> B[Identify Key Facts]
    B --> C[Choose Card Type]
    C --> D[Create Cards]
    D --> E[Add Mnemonics]
    E --> F[Format for Export]
```

---

## Step 1: Card Design Principles

### The 20 Rules of Formulating Knowledge (Summary)

1. **Understand before memorizing** - Never create cards for things you don't understand
2. **Minimum information** - Keep each card focused on ONE fact
3. **Use cloze deletion** - More effective than Q&A for many concepts
4. **Avoid sets/lists** - Break lists into individual cards or use mnemonics
5. **Use imagery** - Visual memory is powerful
6. **Use mnemonic techniques** - Acronyms, stories, memory palaces

---

## Step 2: Card Types

### Basic Card (Front → Back)

```
Front: What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Back: Mitochondria
```

**Anki Format:**
```
What is the powerhouse of the cell?	Mitochondria
```

### Reversed Card (Both Directions)

```
Front: Mitochondria
Back: The powerhouse of the cell - produces ATP through cellular respiration
```

**Anki Format (with tag):**
```
Mitochondria	The powerhouse of the cell - produces ATP	reversed
```

### Cloze Deletion

```
Text: The {{c1::mitochondria}} is the powerhouse of the cell, producing {{c2::ATP}}.
```

**Anki Format:**
```
The {{c1::mitochondria}} is the powerhouse of the cell, producing {{c2::ATP}}.
```

---

## Step 3: Card Templates by Subject

### Vocabulary/Terminology

```
Front: [Term]
Back: 
- Definition: [Clear definition]
- Example: [Usage in context]
- Related: [Connected terms]
```

### Formulas

```
Front: Formula for [concept]?
Back: 
[Formula]
Where:
- [Variable] = [meaning]
```

### Processes/Sequences

```
Front: What are the steps of [process]?
Back:
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
Mnemonic: [Memory aid]
```

### Dates/Events

```
Front: [Year]: What happened?
Back: [Event and significance]
```

OR

```
Front: When did [event] occur?
Back: [Year] - [Brief context]
```

---

## Step 4: Mnemonic Techniques

### Acronyms

```
Front: Order of operations in math?
Back: PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
```

### Visual Association

```
Front: What is the symbol for Iron on the periodic table?
Back: Fe (think: "Fe"rris wheel made of iron)
```

### Story Method

```
Front: Stages of mitosis in order?
Back: PMAT - "Please Make Another Taco"
Prophase → Metaphase → Anaphase → Telophase
```

---

## Step 5: Anki Export Format

### Tab-Separated Format (.txt)

```
Front Text<TAB>Back Text
Question 1	Answer 1
Question 2	Answer 2
```

### With Tags

```
Front Text	Back Text	tag1 tag2
What is DNA?	Deoxyribonucleic acid - carries genetic information	biology genetics
```

### Cloze Format

```
{{c1::Answer hidden}}
The {{c1::mitochondria}} produces ATP.
```

---

## Step 6: Batch Generation Template

When creating multiple cards from a topic:

```markdown
# [Topic] Flashcards

**Total Cards:** [Number]
**Deck Name:** [Subject]::[Topic]
**Tags:** [tag1] [tag2]

---

## Cards

### Card 1
**Front:** [Question/Prompt]
**Back:** [Answer/Information]

### Card 2
**Front:** [Question/Prompt]  
**Back:** [Answer/Information]

[Continue...]

---

## Anki Import Ready

[Tab-separated plain text version]
```

---

## Quality Checklist

- [ ] Each card tests ONE piece of information
- [ ] Cards can be answered in <10 seconds
- [ ] No ambiguous questions with multiple valid answers
- [ ] Mnemonics added for difficult items
- [ ] Cards are context-independent (understandable alone)
- [ ] Cloze deletions used where appropriate