All Sessions

Plan: Create `/instructors` Page

February 17, 20261:00 PM2:32 PM(1h 32m)18 turns
Model: claude-opus-4-6, claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929
Read22Bash18Glob13Edit10Grep8Write6Task2ExitPlanMode2AskUserQuestion2
1:00 PM

Implement the following plan:

Plan: Create /instructors Page

Context

We want a public, shareable page at /instructors that showcases the course to other instructors. It highlights the interesting pedagogical innovations — conversational assessments, in-class activity framework, reading preparation chats, and AI-integrated course operations — with links to live examples. Not in the main nav; accessed via direct link only.

Approach

Create an MDX content file with a simple Next.js page wrapper (same pattern as /design/assessments). The page uses the existing <Prose> component for styling.

Files

FileActionPurpose
content/instructors.mdxCreateMDX content for the instructors page
apps/web/app/instructors/page.tsxCreatePage wrapper that renders the MDX

Task 1: Page Wrapper (apps/web/app/instructors/page.tsx)

Follow the /design/assessments pattern — minimal wrapper:

import { Prose } from "@/components/prose";
import InstructorsContent from "@content/instructors.mdx";

export const metadata = {
  title: "For Instructors",
  description: "An overview of Understanding AI for instructors and educators",
};

export default function InstructorsPage() {
  return (
    <div className="px-4 py-12 sm:px-6" data-testid="instructors-page">
      <Prose>
        <InstructorsContent />
      </Prose>
    </div>
  );
}

Task 2: MDX Content (content/instructors.mdx)

Structure the page to lead with what's most distinctive, saving the full syllabus overview for the end:

  1. Introduction — Brief course overview (CS 199 UAI, what it is, who it's for, no technical prerequisites)
  2. Conversational Assessment — The two-agent architecture for assessing understanding through dialogue. Links to:
    • Design doc: /design/assessments
    • Try the demo: /assessments/turing-test?public=true
    • Blog post: /blog/2026-01-29-assessing-conversational-assessment
  3. In-Class Activities — The real-time activity framework with partner/group matching, stage progression, role assignment, instructor controls. Links to:
    • Sample meeting (AlphaGo discussion): /spring2026/meetings/2026-02-17-alphago-discussion
    • Meetings list: /meet
  4. Reading Preparation — AI-guided preparation chats that verify readiness for discussion sessions. Describe the three-level criteria system.
  5. AI in Course Operations — How AI is integrated throughout: course design, the course assistant, the blog (co-authored by Claude). Links to:
    • Blog: /blog
    • Blog post on collaboration: /blog/2026-01-21-claude-coinstructor
  6. Course Structure — Brief overview of the 14-week format (8 labs + 6 discussions), learning objectives, and link to the full syllabus:
    • Syllabus: /syllabus

The prose should be written by Geoff — direct, concise, enthusiastic but not salesy. Focus on what's pedagogically novel and why it matters.

No Other Changes

  • No navigation changes (direct link only)
  • No new components needed
  • No new loaders or data fetching

Verification

  1. Visit https://[local-hostname]/instructors and confirm the page renders
  2. Verify all internal links work (assessments demo, design doc, blog posts, meetings, syllabus)
  3. Confirm the page is accessible without login

If you need specific details from before exiting plan mode (like exact code snippets, error messages, or content you generated), read the full transcript at: ~/.claude/projects/-Users-challen-www-usingandunderstanding-ai/cb7e88a2-f529-49d5-a38a-eb239c22fd03.jsonl

I'll start by examining the existing patterns to follow.

Let me check a few things in parallel — the existing design MDX for style reference, and verify some of the link targets exist.

Good, all the routes and content exist. Let me verify the meeting link pattern and check the @content path alias.

Everything checks out. Now I'll create both files.

Both files created. Let me verify the page renders by checking if the dev server is running and hitting the page.

Glob7Read3Write2Bash2Grep1
1:01 PM

I started the dev server.

Page returns 200. Let me verify all the internal links work too.

All links work — 200s for direct pages and 307 redirects for /meet and /syllabus (which redirect to the current semester's versions, as expected).

The /instructors page is live with:

  • Page wrapper: apps/web/app/instructors/page.tsx — follows the same minimal pattern as /design/assessments
  • MDX content: content/instructors.mdx — covers conversational assessment, in-class activities, reading preparation, AI in course operations, and course structure, with links to live examples throughout
Bash2
1:04 PM

Looks pretty good! But if the course runs twice per week for 14 weeks, we need 28 meetings, not just 14 that we have now.

Let me check the actual course config to get the correct numbers.

The course meets twice per week for 14 weeks, so 28 meetings total. Only 7 are defined so far (semester is in progress). Let me fix the course structure section.

Fixed — the course structure section now correctly says "twice a week for 14 weeks — 28 meetings total" and I dropped the specific counts for labs vs discussions since the semester is still in progress.

Read2Bash2Grep2Edit1
1:05 PM

Let's also mention that the course is a work in progress and being built as we go.

Done. The course structure section now leads with the fact that this is a work in progress being built during its first offering.

Edit1
1:06 PM

Should we have exploratory meetings as well? Originally I was going to lecture or at least present content, but I think I'm fully off that now, so let's add exploratory meetings where students explore the fundamentals of AI and LLMs. We should probably also add this to the syllabus.

Let me check the current syllabus content first.

I can see the syllabus currently describes Tuesday meetings as "Conceptual foundations and course content" — essentially lecture-style. Let me update both the syllabus and the instructors page to add exploratory meetings as the third type.

Now update the instructors page to add exploratory meetings and fix the counts.

Done. Both files updated:

  • Syllabus (content/spring2026/syllabus.mdx): Tuesday meetings renamed from "Conceptual foundations and course content" to "Exploratory session on AI fundamentals", and a new "Exploratory Sessions (14 total)" section added describing them as guided investigations rather than lectures.
  • Instructors page (content/instructors.mdx): Course structure section now lists three meeting types — exploratory, lab, and discussion.
Edit3Glob2Read1
1:07 PM

Nice! Let's remove the application required from the syllabus since we're done with that.

Removed the application required note from the syllabus.

Edit1
1:08 PM

Nice! Is there a way to add summaries to each meeting, maybe in the frontmatter, which we could then add to the instructors page at the bottom to give an overview of what we're doing in class?

Let me check the current meeting frontmatter structure and how meetings are loaded.

The meetings already have summary fields in their frontmatter. Let me check how the meeting metadata is loaded and what types are defined.

The meetings already have summary in the frontmatter and the loader already reads it. Let me check the remaining meeting files to see which ones have summaries.

Every meeting already has a summary. The data is all there — you'd just need to call getMeetings("spring2026") in the instructors page and render the list.

The cleanest approach would be to import getMeetings in the page wrapper (since it's a server component) and pass the data into a small section at the bottom of the page. But since the content is MDX, you can't easily inject dynamic data into it.

Two options:

  1. Move the meeting list into the page wrapper — render the MDX content, then append a server-rendered meeting list below it in page.tsx
  2. Create a small server component like <MeetingList /> that you drop into the MDX

Option 2 keeps all the content in the MDX file, which is more consistent with the rest of the project. Want me to go with that approach, or would you prefer to keep it simpler and render the list directly in page.tsx?

Grep4Read3Glob1
1:10 PM

Yeah, let's do Option 2.

Let me check how other server components are used in MDX content.

Good. I'll create a simple MeetingList server component and register it in mdx-components.tsx. Let me look at a simple existing MDX component for the pattern.

Now let me check the meetings page to see how meetings are rendered there for style consistency.

Now I have everything I need. I'll create the server component and register it in MDX components.

Now register it in mdx-components.tsx and add it to the MDX content.

Now add the <MeetingList /> to the bottom of the instructors MDX content.

Page renders. Here's what I created:

  • apps/web/components/mdx/meeting-list.tsx — server component that calls getMeetings("spring2026"), sorts chronologically, and renders each meeting as a linked card showing title, date, and summary (same style as the meetings page)
  • apps/web/mdx-components.tsx — registered MeetingList so it's available in MDX
  • content/instructors.mdx — added a "Meetings So Far" section at the bottom with <MeetingList />
Read3Edit3Glob2Grep1Write1Bash1
1:13 PM

Let's put them in order from most to least recent.

Done — getMeetings already returns newest-first, but I also flipped the explicit sort to match.

Edit1
1:27 PM

Your task

First, run git status, git diff, and git log --oneline -10 to understand the current state.

Then add and commit all modified files with a descriptive message. Break the changes into multiple commits if appropriate. If there are untracked files, ask if they should be added or added to the appropriate .gitignore file. The user may also want to take over at this point, so provide an abort option as well. Always check changes for unnecessary debugging statements or logging that might have been accidentally included. Prompt the user if you find any, and offer to remove each one by one. Do not use interactive git staging (git add -p) as it does not work.

I'll check the current git state and prepare the commits.

Let me check the new files for any debugging statements or unnecessary logging.

All files look clean — no debugging statements or unnecessary logging. The changes break down into two logical commits:

  1. Create the /instructors page with meeting list component
  2. Update syllabus to add exploratory meetings and remove application requirement

Here's my proposal:

Commit 1: Create /instructors page with pedagogical innovations overview

  • New page at /instructors showcasing the course to other instructors
  • MeetingList MDX component to display meeting summaries
  • Covers conversational assessment, in-class activities, reading preparation, AI in course operations, and course structure

Commit 2: Update syllabus with exploratory meetings and remove application requirement

  • Add exploratory sessions (14 total) as third meeting type
  • Change Tuesday meetings from "Conceptual foundations" to "Exploratory session on AI fundamentals"
  • Remove application requirement (enrollment is closed)

Would you like me to:

  1. Proceed with these two commits
  2. Combine into a single commit
  3. Let you take over and commit manually
  4. Abort (no commits)
Bash3Read3
1:49 PM

1

Both commits are in, working tree is clean. Two commits on main ahead of origin:

  1. b27763f — Add /instructors page showcasing pedagogical innovations
  2. a73cca0 — Update syllabus with exploratory meetings and remove application requirement
Bash3
1:51 PM

OK. For today's activity, do students submit something, or is there just a read out after each discussion component?

Yes, students submit in each round. Each of the four discussion rounds has a <TextSubmission> where one partner captures their key points — what they discussed and where they agreed or disagreed:

  • Round 1 (round-1-notes): Creativity discussion
  • Round 2 (round-2-notes): Anthropomorphization discussion
  • Round 3 (round-3-notes): The Mirror discussion
  • Round 4 (round-4-notes): Collaboration discussion

The share-out stages between rounds are instructor-led (no submission) — you call on 2-3 pairs to share verbally, then bridge to the next round's theme.

Read1
1:51 PM

OK cool, thanks.

You're welcome! Good luck with the AlphaGo discussion today — sounds like a great session.

1:56 PM

Your task

First, run git status, git diff, and git log --oneline -10 to understand the current state.

Then add and commit all modified files with a descriptive message. Break the changes into multiple commits if appropriate. If there are untracked files, ask if they should be added or added to the appropriate .gitignore file. The user may also want to take over at this point, so provide an abort option as well. Always check changes for unnecessary debugging statements or logging that might have been accidentally included. Prompt the user if you find any, and offer to remove each one by one. Do not use interactive git staging (git add -p) as it does not work.

The only changes are version bumps from 2026.2.13 to 2026.2.14 across all package.json files. This is a standard version bump following the date-based versioning scheme (same month, increment minor version).

Done! Committed the version bump to 2026.2.14. Working tree is clean.

Bash5
2:02 PM

OK! Now, let's add a fun chat component to the instructors page. It should be open, like the index page chat, but with a prompt more appropriate for educators who want to know more about the course. Probably a similar RAG against course documents: syllabus, meetings, assessment descriptions. Does that make sense?

Let me explore the existing chat infrastructure to understand how the index page chat and RAG system work.

Let me read the key files to nail down the implementation details.

Now let me check the public chat endpoint to confirm how agent slugs work.

Good — the public endpoint accepts any agentSlug and loads it via getAgent(). Now let me check how agents are loaded and if visibility matters.

Good, I have a clear picture now. Let me write the plan.

Read5Task2Write2Glob1ExitPlanMode1
2:10 PM

Yeah, I'm wondering about the UI for a page like this. Sidebar? Pinned to bottom? Scrolls with page? What do you think?

2:10 PM

Sorry, the UI for integrating chat into a page like this.

Good question — there are a few natural options for a page like this:

  1. Inline (scrolls with content) — Embedded as a section in the MDX flow, like any other content block. Simple, but you scroll past it. Works if it's positioned prominently (e.g., right after the intro).

  2. Sticky bottom bar — Fixed to the bottom of the viewport. Always accessible, but takes screen space and feels like a customer support widget (Intercom vibes).

  3. Floating button → expanding panel — Small chat icon in the corner that opens a panel. Unobtrusive but also feels very "support widget."

  4. Sidebar — Chat alongside the content in a two-column layout. Great for asking questions while reading, but a significant layout change from the current single-column prose.

My take: for this page, inline is probably the right call. The page is relatively short, the chat itself is a showcase of the course's AI integration (so it should be prominent content, not tucked away), and it avoids the "help desk" feel of floating/sticky patterns. Putting it right after the intro means visitors see it immediately and can try it before reading the details below.

The one downside — scrolling past it — could be mitigated with a small sticky "jump to chat" link in the corner if it becomes an issue, but I'd start simple.

What would you like to clarify about the placement?

AskUserQuestion1
2:11 PM

Can we try the sidebar? It might be a cool way to integrate. Not sure what to do on thin displays though...

A sidebar could look great — the content in the main column with a sticky chat panel alongside. Visitors can ask questions as they read.

For mobile/narrow screens, a few options:

  1. Stack below content — Chat appears as an inline section after the content on narrow screens (simplest, no interactivity change)
  2. Collapsible tab on the edge — A small "Chat" tab on the side that slides the panel in/out
  3. Button → slide-up panel — A floating button that opens the chat as a bottom sheet (common mobile pattern, but feels more "support widget")

Got it — sidebar on desktop, slide-up bottom sheet on mobile. This changes the architecture a bit since the chat is now a layout concern rather than inline MDX content. Let me update the plan.

AskUserQuestion1Read1Write1ExitPlanMode1