dp-pattern-library
Maintain and match against a library of classic dynamic programming patterns. Provides pattern matching, template code generation, variant detection, and problem-to-pattern mapping for DP problems.
Best use case
dp-pattern-library is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Maintain and match against a library of classic dynamic programming patterns. Provides pattern matching, template code generation, variant detection, and problem-to-pattern mapping for DP problems.
Teams using dp-pattern-library should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/dp-pattern-library/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How dp-pattern-library Compares
| Feature / Agent | dp-pattern-library | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Maintain and match against a library of classic dynamic programming patterns. Provides pattern matching, template code generation, variant detection, and problem-to-pattern mapping for DP problems.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# dp-pattern-library
A specialized skill for dynamic programming pattern recognition, matching problems to known DP patterns, generating template code, and providing optimization guidance for DP solutions.
## Purpose
Assist with dynamic programming by:
- Matching problems to 50+ classic DP patterns
- Generating template code for matched patterns
- Detecting problem variants (knapsack variants, LCS variants, etc.)
- Providing state design recommendations
- Suggesting optimization techniques
## Capabilities
### Core Features
1. **Pattern Recognition**
- Analyze problem statement for DP indicators
- Match to known pattern categories
- Identify problem variants and transformations
- Suggest state representation
2. **Pattern Categories**
- Linear DP (1D array)
- Grid/Matrix DP (2D paths)
- String DP (LCS, edit distance)
- Interval DP (ranges, parenthesization)
- Tree DP (subtree problems)
- Bitmask DP (subset enumeration)
- Digit DP (number counting)
- Knapsack variants
- DP with state machine
3. **Code Generation**
- Template code for recognized patterns
- Multiple language support (Python, C++, Java)
- Comments explaining state and transitions
- Space-optimized variants
4. **Optimization Guidance**
- Rolling array technique
- Convex hull trick
- Divide and conquer optimization
- Monotonic queue/stack optimization
- Knuth optimization
## Pattern Library
### Linear DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Transition | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------|------------------|
| **Fibonacci** | dp[i] = answer for position i | dp[i] = dp[i-1] + dp[i-2] | Climbing Stairs, House Robber |
| **Min/Max Path** | dp[i] = best answer ending at i | dp[i] = opt(dp[j]) + cost(j,i) | Minimum Path Sum |
| **Counting** | dp[i] = ways to reach state i | dp[i] = sum(dp[j]) | Unique Paths, Decode Ways |
| **LIS** | dp[i] = LIS ending at i | dp[i] = max(dp[j]) + 1 where j < i, a[j] < a[i] | Longest Increasing Subsequence |
### String DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------------|
| **Edit Distance** | dp[i][j] = distance for s1[0..i], s2[0..j] | Edit Distance, One Edit Distance |
| **LCS** | dp[i][j] = LCS of s1[0..i], s2[0..j] | Longest Common Subsequence |
| **Palindrome** | dp[i][j] = is s[i..j] palindrome | Longest Palindromic Substring |
| **Regex Match** | dp[i][j] = s[0..i] matches p[0..j] | Regular Expression Matching |
### Knapsack Patterns
| Variant | State | Transition |
|---------|-------|------------|
| **0/1 Knapsack** | dp[i][w] = max value with items 0..i, capacity w | dp[i][w] = max(dp[i-1][w], dp[i-1][w-wt[i]] + val[i]) |
| **Unbounded** | dp[w] = max value with capacity w | dp[w] = max(dp[w], dp[w-wt[i]] + val[i]) |
| **Bounded** | dp[i][w] = max value with limited items | Use binary representation or deque |
| **Subset Sum** | dp[i][s] = can reach sum s with items 0..i | dp[i][s] = dp[i-1][s] or dp[i-1][s-a[i]] |
### Grid DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------------|
| **Path Count** | dp[i][j] = ways to reach (i,j) | Unique Paths, Unique Paths II |
| **Path Min/Max** | dp[i][j] = best path to (i,j) | Minimum Path Sum |
| **Multi-path** | dp[i][j][k][l] = two paths simultaneously | Cherry Pickup |
### Interval DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------------|
| **MCM** | dp[i][j] = cost for range [i,j] | Matrix Chain Multiplication |
| **Burst** | dp[i][j] = max coins from balloons[i..j] | Burst Balloons |
| **Merge** | dp[i][j] = cost to merge range [i,j] | Minimum Cost to Merge Stones |
### Tree DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------------|
| **Subtree** | dp[v] = answer for subtree rooted at v | Binary Tree Maximum Path Sum |
| **Rerooting** | dp[v] = answer when v is root | Sum of Distances in Tree |
| **Parent-Child** | dp[v][0/1] = answer with constraint | House Robber III |
### Bitmask DP Patterns
| Pattern | State | Example Problems |
|---------|-------|------------------|
| **TSP** | dp[mask][last] = min cost visiting mask cities ending at last | Traveling Salesman Problem |
| **Assignment** | dp[mask] = min cost assigning tasks to subset | Task Assignment |
| **SOS** | dp[mask] = sum over subsets | Subset Sum over Subsets |
## Usage
### Pattern Matching
```bash
# Match problem to DP pattern
dp-pattern-library match --problem "Given an array of integers, find the longest increasing subsequence"
# Output:
# Pattern: Linear DP - Longest Increasing Subsequence (LIS)
# State: dp[i] = length of LIS ending at index i
# Transition: dp[i] = max(dp[j] + 1) for all j < i where arr[j] < arr[i]
# Time: O(n^2) naive, O(n log n) with binary search
# Space: O(n)
```
### Template Generation
```bash
# Generate template code
dp-pattern-library template --pattern "lis" --language python
# Output:
def lengthOfLIS(nums):
if not nums:
return 0
n = len(nums)
# dp[i] = length of LIS ending at index i
dp = [1] * n
for i in range(1, n):
for j in range(i):
if nums[j] < nums[i]:
dp[i] = max(dp[i], dp[j] + 1)
return max(dp)
```
### Optimization Suggestions
```bash
# Get optimization recommendations
dp-pattern-library optimize --pattern "lis"
# Output:
# Current: O(n^2) time, O(n) space
# Optimizations:
# 1. Binary Search: O(n log n) time
# - Maintain sorted list of smallest tail elements
# - Binary search for insertion point
# 2. Segment Tree: O(n log n) time
# - For coordinate compression + range max query
```
## Output Schema
```json
{
"match": {
"pattern": "Linear DP - LIS",
"confidence": 0.95,
"category": "linear",
"variants": ["LIS", "LDS", "LNDS"]
},
"state": {
"description": "dp[i] = length of LIS ending at index i",
"dimensions": 1,
"meaning": "LIS length ending at position i"
},
"transition": {
"formula": "dp[i] = max(dp[j] + 1) for j < i, arr[j] < arr[i]",
"baseCase": "dp[i] = 1 for all i",
"order": "left to right"
},
"complexity": {
"time": "O(n^2)",
"space": "O(n)",
"optimized": {
"time": "O(n log n)",
"technique": "binary search on patience sort"
}
},
"template": {
"python": "...",
"cpp": "...",
"java": "..."
},
"similarProblems": [
"Longest Increasing Subsequence",
"Number of Longest Increasing Subsequence",
"Russian Doll Envelopes",
"Maximum Length of Pair Chain"
]
}
```
## Integration with Processes
This skill enhances:
- `dp-pattern-matching` - Core pattern matching workflow
- `dp-state-optimization` - State space optimization
- `dp-transition-derivation` - Deriving transitions
- `leetcode-problem-solving` - DP problem identification
- `classic-dp-library` - Building a personal DP library
## Pattern Recognition Indicators
| Indicator | Likely Pattern |
|-----------|----------------|
| "maximum/minimum" + "subarray/subsequence" | Linear DP |
| "number of ways" | Counting DP |
| "can reach/achieve" | Boolean DP |
| "edit/transform string" | String DP |
| "merge/combine intervals" | Interval DP |
| "tree/subtree" | Tree DP |
| "select subset" + small n | Bitmask DP |
| "count numbers with property" | Digit DP |
| "items + capacity" | Knapsack |
## References
- [Dynamic Programming Patterns](https://github.com/aatalyk/Dynamic-Programming-Patterns)
- [DP Visualization Tools](https://dp.debkbanerji.com/)
- [LeetCode DP Patterns](https://leetcode.com/discuss/general-discussion/458695/dynamic-programming-patterns)
- [CP Algorithms - DP](https://cp-algorithms.com/dynamic_programming.html)
- [CSES DP Section](https://cses.fi/problemset/list/)
## Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Resolution |
|-------|-------|------------|
| `NO_PATTERN_MATCH` | Problem doesn't fit known patterns | Consider greedy or other approaches |
| `AMBIGUOUS_MATCH` | Multiple patterns could apply | Provide more problem details |
| `COMPLEX_STATE` | State too complex for templates | Manual state design needed |
## Best Practices
1. **Start with brute force** - Understand recurrence before optimizing
2. **Draw state diagram** - Visualize transitions
3. **Verify base cases** - Most DP bugs are in base cases
4. **Check state uniqueness** - Each state should be uniquely defined
5. **Consider space optimization** - Often can reduce dimension
6. **Test with small inputs** - Trace through by handRelated Skills
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