Cosmic Code Lab

A learning objective → a self-contained, auto-checkable coding lab with a space-science backdrop.

Purpose

Space data makes great programming practice (orbital math, image stats, light travel time, catalog parsing). This skill produces a complete lab — a clear problem, runnable starter code, a hidden test suite, and a reference solution — so an educator or platform can drop it into a course without writing the scaffolding by hand.

When it fires

• Keyword triggers: code lab, coding challenge, exercise, kata,

tutorial, cosmic code

• File triggers: labs/**, *.lab.md, test_*.py, *.test.js
• Command triggers: /cosmic-code-lab

Inputs

Workflow

1. Frame the problem — a concrete, space-flavored task that isolates the

objective. State inputs, outputs, and constraints precisely. ✅ Check: a competent student could implement it from the statement alone.

1. Write starter code — minimal scaffold with a clearly marked TODO and a

stable function signature.

1. Write hidden tests — a runnable suite (pytest / a tiny JS harness) covering

the happy path, an edge case, and an error case. Tests must pass on the solution and fail on the empty starter.

1. Write the reference solution — clean, idiomatic, commented at decision points.
2. Add the science note — 2–3 lines on the real astronomy behind the problem,

factually correct.

1. Self-verify — confirm the solution passes the tests and the starter does not.

Output contract

{
  "title": "string",
  "language": "python | javascript",
  "problem_statement": "string",
  "starter_code": "string",
  "tests": "string — runnable test source",
  "solution": "string",
  "science_note": "string"
}

Tools & MCP

• Tools: Write (lab files), Bash (run the tests to self-verify).
• MCP dependencies: none required.

Quality bar

• [ ] Solution passes the tests; empty starter fails them.
• [ ] Problem statement is implementable from text alone.
• [ ] Tests cover happy path + at least one edge + one error case.
• [ ] Science note is factually correct.

Example

See examples/example-01.md.

Built on SIP — Starlight Intelligence Protocol Substrate: starlightintelligence.org/protocol v1.1.0 Layers used: [file-contract, attestation, sovereignty] Vertical: starlight-agent-skills · portable capability layer