Getting started with Socrates is straightforward. Just bring your own LLM API key and a topic you want to explore. Here's everything you need to know — from setup to your first lesson.
Head to app.topodrive.top. No download, no installation — it works in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). The interface is split into a sidebar (session history, settings, knowledge map) and the main area where your lessons unfold. On mobile the sidebar collapses and the main view takes full width — tap the hamburger icon to toggle it.
Click the gear icon in the bottom-left corner to open API Settings. Socrates works with OpenAI (GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini), Anthropic (Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus), and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint (together.ai, Groq, DeepSeek, local LLMs via vLLM/Ollama).
To get a key: visit platform.openai.com or console.anthropic.com, create an API key, and paste it into the settings. The free tier supports 1 key; paid tiers support up to unlimited keys across different providers. You can also enable the built-in mock mode to try the app without any setup.
Type anything you want to learn in the input field at the center of the screen. Socrates adapts to any subject — from calculus to poetry, quantum mechanics to philosophy, machine learning to music theory. Some examples:
Socrates begins with a structured explanation of the topic, introducing concepts one at a time with clear definitions, concrete examples, and connections to prior material. Mathematical notation renders beautifully with LaTeX. Code blocks are syntax-highlighted. Each section reads like a well-written textbook chapter — only it's written specifically for you.
After each key concept, Socrates asks a diagnostic question. Answer correctly and you advance to the next layer. Get it wrong and the tutor revisits the material from a different angle — an alternative explanation, a different example, or a more foundational review. No two learning paths are identical.
Sign up with your email to sync sessions across devices and save your learning history. Verification is quick — check your inbox for a confirmation link. Once verified, your sessions, knowledge graph, and mistake book are backed up on the server. Without an account, sessions are stored locally in your browser and may be lost if you clear your data.
“The best way to learn is to teach. Socrates does the teaching so you can focus on the understanding.”Designed around cognitive science principles
Narrow topics produce deeper lessons. Instead of "math," try "the chain rule from first principles with physics examples." Instead of "history," try "the economic factors behind the fall of the Roman Empire."
Diagnostic questions are checking your understanding, not your ego. Guessing correctly when you're unsure skips material you need. Socrates tracks what you truly know — use that to identify weak spots.
The mistake book (accessible from the sidebar) records every question you answered incorrectly. Revisit it periodically to reinforce weak areas. Spaced repetition of past mistakes dramatically improves long-term retention.
GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, GPT-4 Turbo
via platform.openai.com
Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus, Claude 3 Haiku
via console.anthropic.com
Together.ai, Groq, DeepSeek, vLLM, Ollama — any OpenAI-compatible endpoint works.