Preceptor

Preceptor supports you while you work on CS 61A assignments in VS Code. It provides feedback after a failed test and a check-off interview after you pass a question.

Getting Started

After installing the extension:

1. Open a CS 61A assignment folder in VS Code.
2. Select Get started when prompted.
3. Sign in with your Berkeley Google account in the browser.
4. Choose whether your de-identified activity may be used for research.

Research participation is optional. Choosing either option gives you full access to the extension. Your sign-in and research choice are remembered, so you normally complete setup only once.

Two Modes

Problem Solving

When a question-specific test fails, the Problem Solving panel opens with feedback. The feedback points you toward the issue without providing the solution. Use it with the terminal output, revise your code, and run the test again.

You can turn automatic feedback on or off from the panel. If feedback is off, your test still runs normally.

Interview

After you pass a question, the Interview panel opens for a short check-off. The interviewer asks about your solution and reasoning in your own words. Choose Start interview if you are ready, or Not yet to save the prepared interview. When you are ready later, run the question's passing test again to reopen it.

During the interview, stay in VS Code and do not consult external tools. Closing the panel before finishing requires you to verify your understanding with course staff. At the end, the question is marked complete or referred to course staff for verification.

Typical Workflow

1. Open the assignment in VS Code and work on one question.

2. Run that question's test in the integrated terminal, such as:

   python3 -m pytest -k a_plus_abs_b
   

3. If the test fails, review the terminal output and feedback, revise your code, and test again.

4. When the question passes, start the interview or choose Not yet and return after another passing test run.

5. Continue to the next question.

Use the question-specific test commands provided on the assignment page so the extension can identify the question you are working on.

Account Options

Open the VS Code Command Palette with Cmd+Shift+P on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows and Linux to access:

• Preceptor: Show Sign-In Status
• Preceptor: Review Research Consent
• Preceptor: Sign Out

Requirements

• VS Code 1.93 or newer
• A course assignment opened as a folder in VS Code; use one assignment folder per window
• The assignment's required Python or Gleam tools installed and working
• Test commands run in the VS Code integrated terminal with terminal shell integration enabled
• Internet access and a Berkeley Google account

License

Preceptor is available under the MIT License included with the extension.