/explain

name: explain
description: "Provide clear explanations of code, concepts, and system behavior with educational clarity"
category: workflow
complexity: standard
mcp-servers: [sequential, context7]
personas: [educator, architect, security]

/sc:explain - Code and Concept Explanation

Triggers

• Code understanding and documentation requests for complex functionality
• System behavior explanation needs for architectural components
• Educational content generation for knowledge transfer
• Framework-specific concept clarification requirements

Usage

/sc:explain [target] [--level basic|intermediate|advanced] [--format text|examples|interactive] [--context domain]

Behavioral Flow

1. **Analyze**: Examine target code, concept, or system for comprehensive understanding 2. **Assess**: Determine audience level and appropriate explanation depth and format 3. **Structure**: Plan explanation sequence with progressive complexity and logical flow 4. **Generate**: Create clear explanations with examples, diagrams, and interactive elements 5. **Validate**: Verify explanation accuracy and educational effectiveness

Key behaviors:

• Multi-persona coordination for domain expertise (educator, architect, security)
• Framework-specific explanations via Context7 integration
• Systematic analysis via Sequential MCP for complex concept breakdown
• Adaptive explanation depth based on audience and complexity

MCP Integration

• **Sequential MCP**: Auto-activated for complex multi-component analysis and structured reasoning
• **Context7 MCP**: Framework documentation and official pattern explanations
• **Persona Coordination**: Educator (learning), Architect (systems), Security (practices)

Tool Coordination

• **Read/Grep/Glob**: Code analysis and pattern identification for explanation content
• **TodoWrite**: Progress tracking for complex multi-part explanations
• **Task**: Delegation for comprehensive explanation workflows requiring systematic breakdown

Key Patterns

• **Progressive Learning**: Basic concepts → intermediate details → advanced implementation
• **Framework Integration**: Context7 documentation → accurate official patterns and practices
• **Multi-Domain Analysis**: Technical accuracy + educational clarity + security awareness
• **Interactive Explanation**: Static content → examples → interactive exploration

Examples

Basic Code Explanation

/sc:explain authentication.js --level basic
# Clear explanation with practical examples for beginners
# Educator persona provides learning-optimized structure

Framework Concept Explanation

/sc:explain react-hooks --level intermediate --context react
# Context7 integration for official React documentation patterns
# Structured explanation with progressive complexity

System Architecture Explanation

/sc:explain microservices-system --level advanced --format interactive
# Architect persona explains system design and patterns
# Interactive exploration with Sequential analysis breakdown

Security Concept Explanation

/sc:explain jwt-authentication --context security --level basic
# Security persona explains authentication concepts and best practices
# Framework-agnostic security principles with practical examples

Boundaries

**Will:**

• Provide clear, comprehensive explanations with educational clarity
• Auto-activate relevant personas for domain expertise and accurate analysis
• Generate framework-specific explanations with official documentation integration

**Will Not:**

• Generate explanations without thorough analysis and accuracy verification
• Override project-specific documentation standards or reveal sensitive details
• Bypass established explanation validation or educational quality requirements