# sequential-thinking

Breaks complex problems into iterative reasoning steps with dynamic scope and hypothesis branching. Built for architecture planning and deep debugging.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1800 installs · ★ 2228
- Author: mrgoonie
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/mrgoonie/claudekit-skills/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-04-03
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/sequential-thinking

## What it does

This skill drives structured, step-by-step reasoning via the `mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking` tool. Instead of jumping to conclusions, the agent records explicit thinking steps. It tracks progress using `thoughtNumber` and adjusts the anticipated scope through `totalThoughts` as new details emerge.

The tool workflow supports backtracking and branching. With `isRevision` and `revisesThought`, the model can reconsider previous flawed assumptions. If multiple viable paths exist, `branchFromThought` and `branchId` let it evaluate alternatives separately.

Running this on simple facts or single-step questions is pointless, as the extra tool calls add delay where a direct answer is needed.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --skill sequential-thinking -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/sequential-thinking/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --skill sequential-thinking -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --skill sequential-thinking -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install mrgoonie/claudekit-skills sequential-thinking
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --skill sequential-thinking -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --path .claude/skills/sequential-thinking
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add mrgoonie/claudekit-skills --skill sequential-thinking -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/mrgoonie/claudekit-skills/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- decompose engineering problems with unclear initial scope
- trace complex bugs through iterative hypothesis testing
- explore alternative architecture branches without losing context
- revise incorrect intermediate assumptions during multi-step analysis

## Example prompts
- Analyze our database bottleneck using sequential-thinking and explore alternative indexing strategies
- Debug this memory leak step-by-step, revising previous thoughts if the profiling data contradicts them

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 5aa33fa92e113523
````text
---
name: sequential-thinking
description: Use when complex problems require systematic step-by-step reasoning with ability to revise thoughts, branch into alternative approaches, or dynamically adjust scope. Ideal for multi-stage analysis, design planning, problem decomposition, or tasks with initially unclear scope.
license: MIT
---

# 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

```typescript
// 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 done
```

## Advanced Features

For revision patterns, branching strategies, and complex workflows, see:
- [Advanced Usage](references/advanced.md) - Revision and branching patterns
- [Examples](references/examples.md) - Real-world use cases

## Tips
````
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First 2886 of 3169 bytes. © mrgoonie · MIT · https://github.com/mrgoonie/claudekit-skills/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills/sequential-thinking/SKILL.md

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