[dizhn]

Open chord shapes are just the barre shapes but the nut becomes fret zero that's barred. Looking at it this way it's easy to see why they can be moved around the neck. The shape remains the same because the relationship of the strings and the notes on them remain the same. Like root-3rd-5th would remain the same relationship only with a different tone combination.

By the way I think the most difficult thing about CAGED is that it's way too overhyped. It promises too much (scales?) but delivers too little. (Doesn't even have minors)

[BaculumMeumEst]

I've seen a few complaints about the limitations of CAGED so I've been trying to focus on theory rather than just mindlessly learn tricks and regurgitate songs. Having a lot of fun so far.

The book I'm reading (recommended in another comment) does talk about minor forms of CAGED forms, though - pentatonic scale patterns, arpeggio patterns, and chord forms.

[dizhn]

Almost everything I've seen about CAGED is retrofits. CAGED is chord based. By definition it's only 3 notes (some repeated). Scales start from 5 and go up to 7 notes. It's a whole "draw the rest of the fucking owl" situation. Might as well learn what a scale is and consruct the arpeggios, triads, chords with guitar at hand. That's a much better learning experience.