Training modes

The Mode menu in the top bar chooses how a new puzzle is dealt and whether the app helps you into it. There are three modes, as in the original HoDoKu.

Playing

The normal mode. A new puzzle is a fresh puzzle and nothing is solved for you. This is the default. Pick it from the Mode menu, or with the Playing mode command.

Learning

Choose one or more techniques to work on. Every newly created sudoku is guaranteed to need at least one of them, and the app solves the puzzle up to the point where that technique applies. You then take over from there, so you always meet the technique in a position where it is the next step.

Practising

The same guarantee: a new puzzle always needs one of your techniques. Here it is shown in its starting state, with nothing solved for you, so you can test yourself on the technique from the beginning.

Picking the techniques

Learning… and Practising… in the Mode menu open the Training dialog. Tick the techniques you want to drill, grouped by difficulty. The same list is also under Training techniques… in the command search (Ctrl+K).

Learning and Practising need at least one technique: until you tick one, their buttons are disabled. When no puzzle of the chosen level needs any of your techniques, the app says so and leaves the board as it is, so try another level or technique. The status line under the board shows the current mode and the techniques you are training.