grip duck: a Socratic AI coach for LeetCode interview prep
grip duck is a free Chrome extension that overlays a Socratic AI coach on LeetCode. It keeps the code editor locked until you explain your approach in plain English, then asks one interviewer-style question at a time — it never hands you the algorithm — and gives a structured debrief after every submission. You bring your own Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google API key; nothing is proxied through a server.
How does grip duck help you practice DSA for interviews?
Most LeetCode tools either reveal the solution or grade your speed — neither builds the skill interviews actually test: reasoning out loud about an unfamiliar problem. grip duck blocks the shortcut. When you open any problem on leetcode.com, a duck appears bottom-right and the editor dims. You must type your approach (at least 20 characters) before the editor unlocks. The duck then streams a single Socratic nudge from your chosen model — a question, never code or an answer — the way a real interviewer probes. You code normally, asking follow-ups as needed; after five exchanges the duck firmly tells you to stop talking and start coding. When you hit LeetCode's Submit, it reads the result panel and your code and produces a debrief: an Approach / Efficiency / Code Style verdict, the optimal approach, the key idea, and one thing to consider next time. The session resets when you open a new problem.
What is the best way to learn DSA for coding interviews?
The fastest-improving engineers don't grind solutions — they practice articulating an approach before coding and reviewing what they missed afterward, then space that review out over time. grip duck enforces the first half (the approach gate and Socratic questioning) directly on LeetCode, and the full grip web app handles the second half: it turns your weak topics into spaced-repetition flashcards and ELO-scaled drills so they actually stick. Used together they cover the loop most people skip.
Is grip duck free, and is it safe to use on LeetCode?
The extension is free. It uses your own LLM API key, stored only in your browser's local storage — there is no grip duck server in the middle, no telemetry, and no third-party tracking. It only reads the problem text and your code to send to the provider you pick. It adds a coaching overlay and reads problem data, which does not violate LeetCode's terms; it never auto-solves problems for you.
How is grip duck different from other LeetCode AI extensions?
Tools like LeetCopilot, Leeco AI, and LeetCode Assistant focus on giving progressive hints, debugging help, or code grading. grip duck is built on the opposite principle: it withholds answers on purpose and forces you to reason first, because that is the behavior interviews reward.
grip duck vs. other LeetCode AI extensions
| Capability | grip duck | Hint/answer extensions (LeetCopilot, Leeco AI, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Forces you to explain approach before coding | Yes — editor locked until you do | No |
| Gives the algorithm / solution | Never | Often (progressive hints up to full solution) |
| Interviewer-style Socratic questioning | Yes, one question at a time | Rarely |
| Structured post-submission debrief | Yes — Approach / Efficiency / Code Style | Varies |
| Bring your own API key (no proxy server) | Yes | Usually proxied / account-based |
| Spaced-repetition retention of weak topics | Yes, via the grip web app | No |
Frequently asked questions
What is grip duck?
A free Chrome extension that overlays a Socratic AI coach on LeetCode, locking the editor until you explain your approach and debriefing every submission.
Which AI models does it support?
Anthropic Claude (recommended — prompts are tuned for it), OpenAI GPT, and Google Gemini. You supply your own API key.
Does grip duck store my code or API key?
No. Your API key lives only in your browser's local storage. Problem text and your code go directly to the provider you choose and nowhere else. No telemetry.
Can grip duck solve LeetCode problems for me?
No, by design. It asks questions and never returns code or the algorithm. It is built to make you a better problem-solver, not to autocomplete solutions.
What is the difference between grip duck and grip?
grip duck is the LeetCode extension. grip (gripit.dev) is the full interview-prep system: spaced-repetition flashcards, ELO-scaled coding drills, and progress tracking across DSA, system design, and behavioral topics.