LearnSpecOpen standards for structured learning content

Markdown-first, git-native, AI-ready formats for teaching and assessment

LearnMD Spec

QuizMD Spec

📝

Markdown First

Valid Markdown files readable in any editor. No proprietary formats or lock-in.

🔀

Git Native

Versionable, diffable, and mergeable like code. Track changes with standard tools.

🤖

AI Native

Generatable and consumable by LLMs without special tooling or complex APIs.

📊

Progressively Enriched

Start with plain text (Level 0) and add structure as needed up to Level 2.

🔗

Interoperable

LearnMD and QuizMD work together as a complete teach-then-assess stack.

🧮

Rich Content

Built-in support for LaTeX math, ABC music notation, Penrose diagrams, and more.

Why LearnSpec?

Education content is trapped in proprietary formats, walled gardens, and tools that don't talk to each other. LearnSpec defines two complementary open standards — LearnMD for instruction and QuizMD for assessment — that are plain-text, portable, and designed for the AI era.

The Two Formats

	LearnMD	QuizMD
Purpose	Teach	Assess
Extension	`.learn.md`	`.quiz.md`
Core unit	Section / Module	Question
Standalone	Yes	Yes
Interop	Embeds QuizMD checkpoints	Importable into LearnMD

Design Principles

No build step required — files are readable as-is in any Markdown viewer
Progressive complexity — start simple, add metadata and structure only when needed
Composable — !import directives let you build paths from independent modules
Tool-friendly — parsers, validators, and MCP integrations available