sequential-thinking

name	sequential-thinking
description	[AI & Tools] Apply structured, reflective problem-solving for complex tasks requiring multi-step analysis, revision capability, and hypothesis verification. Use for complex problem decomposition, adaptive planning, analysis needing course correction, problems with unclear scope, multi-step solutions, and hypothesis-driven work. Use when this capability is needed.

[IMPORTANT] Use TaskCreate to break ALL work into small tasks BEFORE starting — including tasks for each file read. This prevents context loss from long files. For simple tasks, AI MUST ATTENTION ask user whether to skip.

Quick Summary

Goal: Solve complex problems through structured, reflective thought sequences with dynamic adjustment and revision.

Workflow:

1. Estimate — Start with loose thought count, adjust as understanding evolves
2. Structure Thoughts — One aspect per thought; state assumptions and uncertainties
3. Revise/Branch — Mark revisions of earlier thoughts; branch for alternative approaches
4. Hypothesize & Verify — Generate solution hypothesis, test it, iterate until verified
5. Complete — Mark final only when solution verified and confidence achieved

Key Rules:

• Dynamically expand/contract thought count as complexity changes
• Explicitly mark revisions with original reasoning and why it changed
• Can apply explicitly (visible markers) or implicitly (internal methodology)

Be skeptical. Apply critical thinking, sequential thinking. Every claim needs traced proof, confidence percentages (Idea should be more than 80%).

Sequential Thinking

Structured problem-solving via manageable, reflective thought sequences with dynamic adjustment.

When to Apply

• Complex problem decomposition
• Adaptive planning with revision capability
• Analysis needing course correction
• Problems with unclear/emerging scope
• Multi-step solutions requiring context maintenance
• Hypothesis-driven investigation/debugging

Core Process

1. Start with Loose Estimate

Thought 1/5: [Initial analysis]

Adjust dynamically as understanding evolves.

2. Structure Each Thought

• Build on previous context explicitly
• Address one aspect per thought
• State assumptions, uncertainties, realizations
• Signal what next thought should address

3. Apply Dynamic Adjustment

• Expand: More complexity discovered → increase total
• Contract: Simpler than expected → decrease total
• Revise: New insight invalidates previous → mark revision
• Branch: Multiple approaches → explore alternatives

4. Use Revision When Needed

Thought 5/8 [REVISION of Thought 2]: [Corrected understanding]
- Original: [What was stated]
- Why revised: [New insight]
- Impact: [What changes]

5. Branch for Alternatives

Thought 4/7 [BRANCH A from Thought 2]: [Approach A]
Thought 4/7 [BRANCH B from Thought 2]: [Approach B]

Compare explicitly, converge with decision rationale.

6. Generate & Verify Hypotheses

Thought 6/9 [HYPOTHESIS]: [Proposed solution]
Thought 7/9 [VERIFICATION]: [Test results]

Iterate until hypothesis verified.

7. Complete Only When Ready

Mark final: Thought N/N [FINAL]

Complete when:

• Solution verified
• All critical aspects addressed
• Confidence achieved
• No outstanding uncertainties

Application Modes

Explicit: Use visible thought markers when complexity warrants visible reasoning or user requests breakdown.

Implicit: Apply methodology internally for routine problem-solving where thinking aids accuracy without cluttering response.

Scripts (Optional)

Optional scripts for deterministic validation/tracking:

• scripts/process-thought.js - Validate & track thoughts with history
• scripts/format-thought.js - Format for display (box/markdown/simple)

See README.md for usage examples. Use when validation/persistence needed; otherwise apply methodology directly.

References

Load when deeper understanding needed:

• references/core-patterns.md - Revision & branching patterns
• references/examples-api.md - API design example
• references/examples-debug.md - Debugging example
• references/examples-architecture.md - Architecture decision example
• references/advanced-techniques.md - Spiral refinement, hypothesis testing, convergence
• references/advanced-strategies.md - Uncertainty, revision cascades, meta-thinking

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Closing Reminders

• IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION break work into small todo tasks using TaskCreate BEFORE starting
• IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION search codebase for 3+ similar patterns before creating new code
• IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION cite file:line evidence for every claim (confidence >80% to act)
• IMPORTANT MUST ATTENTION add a final review todo task to verify work quality

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