Implement Paper From Scratch

The best way to truly understand a paper is to implement it. This skill guides you through that process methodically.

Philosophy

• No copy-pasting from reference implementations - We build understanding, not just working code
• Checkpoint questions verify understanding - You should be able to answer "why" at each step
• Minimal dependencies - Use NumPy/PyTorch fundamentals, not high-level wrappers
• Deliberate debugging - Bugs are learning opportunities, not obstacles

Process

Phase 1: Pre-Implementation Analysis

Before writing any code:

1. Identify the core algorithm - Strip away ablations, extensions, bells and whistles. What's the minimal version?