NudgeCode

NudgeCode is a Chrome extension that coaches you through LeetCode problems using progressive hints, without giving full solutions. It is built to feel like an interview-style coach: it helps you clarify the problem, choose an approach, and debug your thinking step by step.

Why NudgeCode

Most “LeetCode helper” tools either dump solutions or give vague advice. NudgeCode is designed around two principles:

• Coaching over copying: hints are progressive and guided.
• Guardrails by design: the extension avoids producing complete solutions.

Features

• Reliable LeetCode problem detection (title + URL) in the Side Panel
• Progressive hint ladder:
  • Clarify
  • Plan
  • Nudge
  • Skeleton
  • Edge cases
• Problem text extraction (description + constraints) to make hints contextual
• Privacy-first baseline: extraction runs locally in the browser
• Built with Manifest V3

How it works

• A background service worker tracks the active tab and detects LeetCode problem URLs.
• A content script extracts problem text from the page and stores it locally.
• The Side Panel UI reads stored data and generates structured hints.

Tech stack

• Chrome Extension (Manifest V3)
• Side Panel API
• JavaScript (upgrade to TypeScript and React is planned)
• Local storage via chrome.storage.local

Local development

1. Clone the repo:
   • git clone https://github.com/Mihika-Tech/NudgeCode.git
2. Open Chrome extensions page:
   • chrome://extensions
3. Enable Developer mode
4. Click Load unpacked
5. Select the project folder
6. Open a LeetCode problem:
   • https://leetcode.com/problems/two-sum/
7. Click the extension icon to open the Side Panel

Tip: When you reload the extension during development, hard refresh the LeetCode tab (Ctrl + Shift + R) to avoid stale content scripts.

Project structure

nudgecode/ manifest.json background.js contentScript.js sidepanel.html sidepanel.js sidepanel.css icons/ icon16.png icon48.png icon128.png

Roadmap

• Pattern-aware skeletons and edge cases for more problem types
• Attempt-aware nudges by reading editor content locally
• Optional AI mode with strict guardrails
• Interview modes (hint budget, silent mode, explain-back)
• Packaging and publishing to the Chrome Web Store

Guardrails

NudgeCode is intended to nudge you toward the solution, not provide it. The extension is built around:

• Progressive disclosure (you choose hint depth)
• Templates and blanks instead of full implementations
• Output limits that reduce the chance of solution dumping