FlashMD
The flashcard format of the LearnSpec suite.
FlashMD enables front/back cards designed for spaced-repetition review. It is simple to read, simple to generate with an LLM, and usable without any tooling.
FlashMD is a review format: it is consumed in a context separate from the lesson (review session, notification, flashcard mode) — never embedded inline within a LearnMD. TrackMD orchestrates the relationship between a lesson and its associated flashcard decks.
Key principles
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Markdown-first | A .flash.md file is valid Markdown readable in any editor |
| File-native | All data lives in the file — no database required |
| Graceful degradation | Each card is readable as a code block in any standard reader |
| LaTeX from Level 0 | Mathematical formulas are available without frontmatter |
| AI-native | Generatable and consumable by an LLM without specific tooling |
FlashMD inherits its frontmatter and validation rules from the shared Architecture Charter.
Format levels
| Level | Mechanism | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ```flash fenced block with front/back | Minimal cards, readable everywhere |
| 1 | YAML frontmatter | Metadata, spaced-repetition settings |
| 2 | Per-card fields, MediaMD references | Per-card tags, images |
Quick example
markdown
# Cell biology — flashcards
```flash id:photosynthesis
What is photosynthesis?
---
The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, using $CO_2$ and $H_2O$.
```
```flash id:mitosis-phases
What are the 4 phases of mitosis?
---
**Prophase** → **Metaphase** → **Anaphase** → **Telophase**
```Status
FlashMD is a draft v0.1.
Next steps
- Read the full Specification.