soften hints

kentcdodds · kentcdodds · commit 21f6cd6cd508 · 2026-01-26T16:04:55.000-07:00
diff --git a/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/01.problem.hello-world/README.mdx b/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/01.problem.hello-world/README.mdx
@@ -10,13 +10,7 @@ is how you see the results of your code.
 1. Use `console.log()` to print the string `"Hello, World!"`
 2. Use `console.log()` to print your name as a string
 
-💰 Strings are text values wrapped in quotes:
-
-{/* prettier-ignore */}
-```ts
-console.log('This is a string')
-console.log("Double quotes work too")
-```
+💰 Strings are text values wrapped in quotes (single or double).
 
 <callout-info>
 	Which quotes you use is a matter of preference, but I typically use single
diff --git a/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/02.problem.escaping-strings/README.mdx b/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/02.problem.escaping-strings/README.mdx
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ console.log('Name:\tKody') // Prints with a tab between
 3. Log "Hello" and "World" on separate lines using `\n` in a single string
 4. Log tab-separated column headers: "Name:" "Age:" "City:" using `\t`
 
-💰 Remember: use `\'` to escape single quotes, `\"` to escape double quotes,
-`\n` for newlines, and `\t` for tabs!
+💰 Use backslash escape sequences for quotes, newlines, and tabs. The table
+above is your reference.
 
 📜 [Escape sequences on MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Lexical_grammar#escape_sequences)
 
diff --git a/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/02.problem.escaping-strings/index.ts b/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/02.problem.escaping-strings/index.ts
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 // Learn to include special characters in strings
 
 // 🐨 Log "It's working!" using single quotes (you'll need to escape the apostrophe)
-// 💰 Use \' to escape the apostrophe
+// 💰 Use the correct escape sequence for an apostrophe
 
 // 🐨 Log: She said "Hi" (using double quotes for the string)
-// 💰 Use \" to escape the inner quotes
+// 💰 Use an escape sequence for the inner quotes
 
 // 🐨 Log "Hello" and "World" on separate lines using a single string with \n
-// 💰 Use \n to create a newline
+// 💰 Use the newline escape sequence
 
 // 🐨 Log tab-separated data: Name: [tab] Age: [tab] City: (like column headers)
-// 💰 Use \t to create tabs between words
+// 💰 Use the tab escape sequence between words
diff --git a/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/03.problem.strings/index.ts b/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/03.problem.strings/index.ts
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@
 // 🐨 Log your first name and last name concatenated together with a space
 
 // 🐨 Log a sentence by concatenating multiple strings
-// 💰 Example: "I" + " " + "am" + " " + "learning" + " " + "to" + " " + "code"
+// 💰 Build the sentence from small pieces and include spaces where needed
diff --git a/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/05.problem.template-literals/index.ts b/exercises/01.expressions-and-output/05.problem.template-literals/index.ts
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 // A better way to build strings
 
 // 🐨 Log "The answer is 42" using a template literal with ${40 + 2}
-// 💰 Use backticks: `The answer is ${expression}`
+// 💰 Use a template literal with interpolation for the expression
 
 // 🐨 Log "Hello, TypeScript!" using a template literal
 
 // 🐨 Log a math problem like "10 times 5 equals 50"
-// 💰 Use ${10 * 5} for the result
+// 💰 Compute the result inside the template literal
diff --git a/exercises/02.variables/01.problem.let-and-const/index.ts b/exercises/02.variables/01.problem.let-and-const/index.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 // 🐨 Add the muffin to the cart (update cartTotal)
 
 // 🐨 Calculate the final total with tax
-// 💰 finalTotal = cartTotal + (cartTotal * TAX_RATE)
+// 💰 Calculate the tax from cartTotal and add it to get finalTotal
 
 // 🐨 Try uncommenting the line below - what happens?
 // TAX_RATE = 0.10
diff --git a/exercises/02.variables/02.problem.reassignment-vs-mutation/README.mdx b/exercises/02.variables/02.problem.reassignment-vs-mutation/README.mdx
@@ -28,11 +28,7 @@ obj.count = 2 // The object itself is modified (mutated)
 2. Mutate the `const` object by changing its properties
 3. Observe that mutation works even with `const`
 
-💰 Common object mutations:
-
-```ts
-obj.property = newValue // Change a property
-obj.newProp = value // Add a new property
-```
+💰 Mutation means changing properties on the existing object (not replacing the
+object itself).
 
 📜 [MDN - Working with Objects](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_Objects)
diff --git a/exercises/02.variables/02.problem.reassignment-vs-mutation/index.ts b/exercises/02.variables/02.problem.reassignment-vs-mutation/index.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ console.log('Original person:', person)
 // 💣 Uncomment the line above and see the TypeScript error
 
 // 🐨 Now try MUTATING the object by changing the age property
-// 💰 person.age = 31
+// 💰 Update the age property on the existing object
 
 // 🐨 Mutate again by changing the city
-// 💰 person.city = 'Portland'
+// 💰 Update the city property on the existing object
 
 console.log('Modified person:', person)
 
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/01.problem.numbers-and-strings/README.mdx b/exercises/03.primitive-types/01.problem.numbers-and-strings/README.mdx
@@ -17,10 +17,6 @@ We need to track:
 4. Create a `description` variable that uses a template literal to combine the
    product info
 
-💰 Template literals use backticks and `${expression}` for interpolation:
-
-```ts
-const message = `Hello, ${name}!`
-```
+💰 Template literals let you embed expressions inside a string.
 
 📜 [TypeScript Handbook - Everyday Types](https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/2/everyday-types.html)
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/01.problem.numbers-and-strings/index.ts b/exercises/03.primitive-types/01.problem.numbers-and-strings/index.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 // 🐨 Create a `description` using a template literal that outputs:
 // "Product: TypeScript Guide | Price: $29.99 | In Stock: 100"
-// 💰 Use backticks ` and ${variable} syntax
+// 💰 Use a template literal with interpolation
 
 // ✅ These console.logs will verify your work
 // console.log('Price:', price)
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/03.problem.booleans-and-comparisons/index.ts b/exercises/03.primitive-types/03.problem.booleans-and-comparisons/index.ts
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@ const stockCount: number = 100
 // 🐨 Create a variable `isAvailable` with type `boolean` set to `true`
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `hasDiscount` that's true when price is under 50
-// 💰 Use a comparison: price < 50
+// 💰 Use a comparison based on the price
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `canPurchase` that's true when isAvailable AND stockCount > 0
-// 💰 Use the && operator
+// 💰 Combine conditions so both must be true
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `isNotAvailable` that's the opposite of `isAvailable`
-// 💰 Use the ! operator: !isAvailable
+// 💰 Invert the boolean
 
 // ✅ Verification
 // @ts-expect-error - 💣 remove this comment
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/05.problem.bigint-and-symbol/README.mdx b/exercises/03.primitive-types/05.problem.bigint-and-symbol/README.mdx
@@ -42,11 +42,7 @@ Symbols are often used for "hidden" object properties or library-internal keys.
 2. Perform arithmetic with bigint values
 3. Create symbols and observe their uniqueness
 
-💰 BigInt syntax:
-
-```ts
-const big: bigint = 123456789012345678901234567890n
-```
+💰 BigInt literals use the `n` suffix.
 
 📜 [MDN - BigInt](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/BigInt)
 📜 [MDN - Symbol](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Symbol)
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/05.problem.bigint-and-symbol/index.ts b/exercises/03.primitive-types/05.problem.bigint-and-symbol/index.ts
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@
 
 // 🐨 Create a bigint variable `largeNumber` with the value 9007199254740993n
 // This is larger than Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER!
-// 💰 const largeNumber: bigint = 9007199254740993n
+// 💰 Use a bigint literal with the `n` suffix
 
 // 🐨 Create another bigint `anotherLarge` with value 1000000000000000000n
 
 // 🐨 Add them together into a variable called `sum`
-// 💰 const sum = largeNumber + anotherLarge
+// 💰 Add the two bigint values together
 
 // 🐨 Create a symbol called `userId` with description 'user-id'
-// 💰 const userId: symbol = Symbol('user-id')
+// 💰 Create a symbol with the given description
 
 // 🐨 Create another symbol called `anotherId` with the same description 'user-id'
 
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/06.problem.truthy-falsy/README.mdx b/exercises/03.primitive-types/06.problem.truthy-falsy/README.mdx
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ You can convert any value to a boolean with `Boolean(value)` or `!!value`.
 6. Create `canCreateAccount` that's `true` when `hasUsername`, `email`, and
    `password` are all truthy
 
-💰 Use `Boolean(value)` or `!!value` to convert to a boolean.
+💰 Convert values to booleans when you need a strict true/false.
 
 📜 [MDN - Truthy](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Truthy)
 📜 [MDN - Falsy](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Falsy)
diff --git a/exercises/03.primitive-types/06.problem.truthy-falsy/index.ts b/exercises/03.primitive-types/06.problem.truthy-falsy/index.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const cartTotal = 42
 const hasAcceptedTerms = false
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `hasUsername` based on the truthiness of `username`
-// 💰 Use Boolean(username) or !!username
+// 💰 Convert the value to a boolean
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `hasNickname` based on the truthiness of `nickname`
 
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/01.problem.conditionals/README.mdx b/exercises/04.control-flow/01.problem.conditionals/README.mdx
@@ -14,14 +14,6 @@ score, we need to determine the letter grade.
 
 2. Add a check to see if the student passed (grade C or above)
 
-💰 Check ranges with comparisons:
-
-```ts
-if (score >= 90) {
-	// A
-} else if (score >= 80) {
-	// B (we know score < 90 because first check failed)
-}
-```
+💰 Check the highest ranges first so the first match wins.
 
 📜 [MDN - if...else](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/if...else)
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/01.problem.conditionals/index.ts b/exercises/04.control-flow/01.problem.conditionals/index.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const score: number = 85
 // - Below 60: "F"
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `passed` that is true if grade is C or above
-// 💰 Use: grade !== 'D' && grade !== 'F'
+// 💰 A passing grade is C or above
 
 // console.log(`Score: ${score}`)
 // console.log(`Grade: ${grade}`)
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/02.problem.switch-statements/README.mdx b/exercises/04.control-flow/02.problem.switch-statements/README.mdx
@@ -15,20 +15,7 @@ against many possible matches, a `switch` statement is often cleaner.
    - 'F' → "Failing"
    - Any other value → "Invalid grade"
 
-💰 Switch statement structure:
-
-```ts
-switch (value) {
-	case 'option1':
-		// do something
-		break
-	case 'option2':
-		// do something else
-		break
-	default:
-	// handle all other cases
-}
-```
+💰 Use `switch` with `case` branches and a `default` for all other values.
 
 <callout-warning>
 	Don't forget the `break` statement after each case! Without it, execution
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/03.problem.loops/index.ts b/exercises/04.control-flow/03.problem.loops/index.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // Using a for loop to build a numbered list
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `exhibitLabels` starting as an empty string
-// 💰 let exhibitLabels = ''
+// 💰 Start with an empty string
 
 // 🐨 Write a for loop that counts from 1 to 5
 // 🐨 On each pass, add a line like "Exhibit 1" to the string
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/04.problem.nested-loops/index.ts b/exercises/04.control-flow/04.problem.nested-loops/index.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const rows = ['A', 'B', 'C']
 const seatsPerRow = 4
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `seatChart` starting as an empty string
-// 💰 let seatChart = ''
+// 💰 Start with an empty string
 
 // 🐨 Use nested for loops to build the seating chart
 // 🐨 Each row should include seat labels like "A1 A2 A3 A4"
diff --git a/exercises/04.control-flow/05.problem.ternary-operator/index.ts b/exercises/04.control-flow/05.problem.ternary-operator/index.ts
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ const temperature = 25
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `weatherDescription` using a ternary operator
 // It should be "hot" if temperature > 30, otherwise "comfortable"
-// 💰 Use the ternary pattern: condition ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse
+// 💰 Use a ternary to choose between two values
 
 const score = 85
 
 // 🐨 Create a variable `passed` using a ternary operator
 // It should be true if score >= 70, otherwise false
-// 💰 You can use the comparison directly as the condition
+// 💰 Use the comparison as the condition
 
 const stock = 0
 
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/01.problem.function-declaration/README.mdx b/exercises/05.functions/01.problem.function-declaration/README.mdx
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ function getFavoriteNumber(): number {
 🐨 Open <InlineFile file="index.ts" /> and create `getMessage` that returns the
 string `"Hello, functions!"`, with an explicit return type.
 
-💰 Use `return` to send a value back, and add `: string` after the parentheses.
+💰 Remember to return a string and annotate the return type.
 
 📜 [MDN - Function declarations](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/function)
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/02.problem.parameters/README.mdx b/exercises/05.functions/02.problem.parameters/README.mdx
@@ -14,19 +14,8 @@ functions that accept clear inputs and return the right type.
 Return values are already familiar from 5.1—focus on **parameter types** here,
 but keep the return types explicit too.
 
-💰 Function syntax:
+💰 Use explicit parameter and return types in each function.
 
-```ts
-function functionName(param: Type): ReturnType {
-	return value
-}
-```
-
-💰 Converting cents to dollars:
-
-```ts
-const dollars = cents / 100
-dollars.toFixed(2) // "19.99"
-```
+💰 For cents-to-dollars, convert cents to a decimal and format to two decimals.
 
 📜 [TypeScript Handbook - More on Functions](https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/2/functions.html)
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/03.problem.type-inference/index.ts b/exercises/05.functions/03.problem.type-inference/index.ts
@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ function divide(a: number, b: number) {
 }
 
 // 🐨 Fix the bug by throwing an error instead of returning a string:
-// 💰 throw new Error('Cannot divide by zero')
+// 💰 Throw an Error instead of returning a string
 
 // 🐨 Create a function `isEven` that returns true if a number is even
 // Let TypeScript infer the return type
-// 💰 return n % 2 === 0
+// 💰 Use modulo to check if a number is even
 
 // ✅ Test
 console.log(multiply(4, 5)) // 20
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/04.problem.arrow-functions/README.mdx b/exercises/05.functions/04.problem.arrow-functions/README.mdx
@@ -33,24 +33,9 @@ const double = (n: number): number => n * 2
 2. Use implicit returns where the function body is a single expression
 3. Create a function that uses a callback with arrow functions (no arrays)
 
-💰 Implicit return syntax (no braces, no `return` keyword):
+💰 Implicit returns use a single expression and no braces.
 
-```ts
-const add = (a: number, b: number): number => a + b
-```
-
-💰 Arrow functions in callbacks:
-
-```ts
-function applyToNumber(
-	value: number,
-	transform: (n: number) => number,
-): number {
-	return transform(value)
-}
-
-const result = applyToNumber(5, (n) => n + 1) // 6
-```
+💰 Callbacks are often written as arrow functions.
 
 <callout-info>
 	A **callback** is a function you pass to another function to be called later.
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/04.problem.arrow-functions/index.ts b/exercises/05.functions/04.problem.arrow-functions/index.ts
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ function calculateTotal(subtotal: number, taxRate: number): number {
 }
 
 // 🐨 Create an arrow function `isEven` that returns true if a number is even
-// 💰 Use implicit return: const isEven = (n: number): boolean => ...
+// 💰 Use an arrow function with an implicit return
 
 // 🐨 Create a function `applyToNumber` that:
 // - Takes a number and a transform function
 // - Returns the transformed number
-// 💰 function applyToNumber(value: number, transform: (n: number) => number): number
+// 💰 This function accepts a callback that transforms a number
 
 // 🐨 Create arrow functions:
 // - `triple` that multiplies a number by 3
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/05.problem.jsdoc/README.mdx b/exercises/05.functions/05.problem.jsdoc/README.mdx
@@ -51,14 +51,6 @@ documentation!
 	`Math.min(a, b)` - returns the smaller of two numbers
 </callout-info>
 
-💰 The description goes right after the opening `/**`:
-
-```ts
-/**
- * This is the description that explains what the function does.
- * It can span multiple lines.
- * @param name - Description of the parameter
- */
-```
+💰 Put a brief description immediately after the opening `/**`.
 
 📜 [JSDoc Reference](https://jsdoc.app/)
diff --git a/exercises/05.functions/05.problem.jsdoc/index.ts b/exercises/05.functions/05.problem.jsdoc/index.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 // - @param tag documenting the `a` parameter
 // - @param tag documenting the `b` parameter
 // - @returns tag documenting what the function returns
-// 💰 JSDoc comments start with /** and end with */
+// 💰 JSDoc uses a block comment that starts with /**
 function add(a: number, b: number): number {
 	return a + b
 }
@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ function add(a: number, b: number): number {
 // - @param tag for the `name` parameter
 // - @returns tag
 // - @example tag showing how to use the function
-// 💰 @example tags let you show usage:
-// @example
-// const result = greet('Alice')
-// console.log(result) // "Hello, Alice!"
+// 💰 Include an @example block that shows how to call the function
 function greet(name: string): string {
 	return `Hello, ${name}!`
 }
@@ -43,7 +40,7 @@ function calculateCompoundInterest(
 // - Takes a value, min, and max
 // - Returns the value constrained between min and max
 // - Has a complete JSDoc comment with description, @param, @returns, and @example
-// 💰 Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value)) will clamp a value
+// 💰 Use Math.min/Math.max to keep the value within range
 
 // 🐨 Export your functions so we can verify your work
 // export { add, greet, calculateCompoundInterest, clamp }
diff --git a/exercises/06.void-and-never/01.problem.void-functions/README.mdx b/exercises/06.void-and-never/01.problem.void-functions/README.mdx
diff --git a/exercises/06.void-and-never/01.problem.void-functions/index.ts b/exercises/06.void-and-never/01.problem.void-functions/index.ts
diff --git a/exercises/06.void-and-never/02.problem.never-type/index.ts b/exercises/06.void-and-never/02.problem.never-type/index.ts
diff --git a/extra/muffin-shop-checkout/index.ts b/extra/muffin-shop-checkout/index.ts
diff --git a/extra/muffin-shop-dashboard/src/muffin-utils.ts b/extra/muffin-shop-dashboard/src/muffin-utils.ts
