SKILL.md
Sequential Thinking
Enables structured problem-solving through iterative reasoning with revision and branching capabilities.
Core Capabilities
- Iterative reasoning: Break complex problems into sequential thought steps
- Dynamic scope: Adjust total thought count as understanding evolves
- Revision tracking: Reconsider and modify previous conclusions
- Branch exploration: Explore alternative reasoning paths from any point
- Maintained context: Keep track of reasoning chain throughout analysis
When to Use
Use mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking when:
- Problem requires multiple interconnected reasoning steps
- Initial scope or approach is uncertain
- Need to filter through complexity to find core issues
- May need to backtrack or revise earlier conclusions
- Want to explore alternative solution paths
Don't use for: Simple queries, direct facts, or single-step tasks.
Basic Usage
The MCP tool mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking accepts these parameters:
Required Parameters
thought(string): Current reasoning step
nextThoughtNeeded(boolean): Whether more reasoning is needed
thoughtNumber(integer): Current step number (starts at 1)
totalThoughts(integer): Estimated total steps needed
Optional Parameters
isRevision(boolean): Indicates this revises previous thinking
revisesThought(integer): Which thought number is being reconsidered
branchFromThought(integer): Thought number to branch from
branchId(string): Identifier for this reasoning branch
Workflow Pattern
1. Start with initial thought (thoughtNumber: 1)
2. For each step:
- Express current reasoning in `thought`
- Estimate remaining work via `totalThoughts` (adjust dynamically)
- Set `nextThoughtNeeded: true` to continue
3. When reaching conclusion, set `nextThoughtNeeded: false`Simple Example
// First thought
{
thought: "Problem involves optimizing database queries. Need to identify bottlenecks first.",
thoughtNumber: 1,
totalThoughts: 5,
nextThoughtNeeded: true
}
// Second thought
{
thought: "Analyzing query patterns reveals N+1 problem in user fetches.",
thoughtNumber: 2,
totalThoughts: 6, // Adjusted scope
nextThoughtNeeded: true
}
// ... continue until doneAdvanced Features
For revision patterns, branching strategies, and complex workflows, see:
- Advanced Usage - Revision and branching patterns
- Examples - Real-world use cases
Tips
- Start with rough estimate for
totalThoughts, refine as you progress
- Use revision when assumptions prove incorrect
- Branch when multiple approaches seem viable
- Express uncertainty explicitly in thoughts
- Adjust scope freely - accuracy matters less than progress visibility