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sequential-thinking

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Original

English
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Translation

Chinese

Sequential Thinking

序列式思考

Enables structured problem-solving through iterative reasoning with revision and branching capabilities.
通过具备修订与分支能力的迭代推理，实现结构化问题解决。

Core Capabilities

核心能力

  • 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
  • 迭代推理：将复杂问题拆解为一系列有序的思考步骤
  • 动态范围调整：随着理解深入，调整总思考步骤数量
  • 修订追踪：重新审视并修改之前的结论
  • 分支探索：从任意节点探索备选推理路径
  • 上下文保持：在整个分析过程中追踪推理链

When to Use

适用场景

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.
当出现以下情况时，使用
mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking
：
  • 问题需要多个相互关联的推理步骤
  • 初始范围或方法不确定
  • 需要过滤复杂信息以找到核心问题
  • 可能需要回溯或修订早期结论
  • 希望探索备选解决方案路径
不适用场景：简单查询、直接事实获取或单步骤任务。

Basic Usage

基础用法

The MCP tool 
mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking
accepts these parameters:
MCP工具
mcp__reasoning__sequentialthinking
接受以下参数：

Required Parameters

必填参数

  • 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
  • thought
    （字符串）：当前推理步骤
  • nextThoughtNeeded
    （布尔值）：是否需要更多推理步骤
  • thoughtNumber
    （整数）：当前步骤编号（从1开始）
  • totalThoughts
    （整数）：预估的总步骤数

Optional Parameters

可选参数

  • 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
  • isRevision
    （布尔值）：表明当前步骤是对之前思考的修订
  • revisesThought
    （整数）：正在重新审视的步骤编号
  • branchFromThought
    （整数）：分支起始的步骤编号
  • branchId
    （字符串）：该推理分支的标识符

Workflow Pattern

工作流模式

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`
1. 从初始思考开始（thoughtNumber: 1）
2. 每一步：
   - 在`thought`中表达当前推理内容
   - 通过`totalThoughts`预估剩余工作量（可动态调整）
   - 设置`nextThoughtNeeded: true`以继续推理
3. 得出结论时，设置`nextThoughtNeeded: false`

Simple Example

简单示例

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
typescript
// 第一步思考
{
  thought: "问题涉及数据库查询优化。首先需要识别性能瓶颈。",
  thoughtNumber: 1,
  totalThoughts: 5,
  nextThoughtNeeded: true
}

// 第二步思考
{
  thought: "分析查询模式后发现，用户数据获取存在N+1问题。",
  thoughtNumber: 2,
  totalThoughts: 6, // 调整了范围
  nextThoughtNeeded: true
}

// ... 继续直到完成

Advanced Features

高级功能

Revision Pattern

修订模式

When you realize an earlier conclusion was wrong:
typescript
{
  thought: "Reconsidering thought #2: The N+1 problem isn't the main bottleneck - missing index is.",
  thoughtNumber: 5,
  totalThoughts: 8,
  nextThoughtNeeded: true,
  isRevision: true,
  revisesThought: 2
}
当你意识到早期结论错误时：
typescript
{
  thought: "重新审视第2步思考：N+1问题并非主要瓶颈——缺失索引才是关键。",
  thoughtNumber: 5,
  totalThoughts: 8,
  nextThoughtNeeded: true,
  isRevision: true,
  revisesThought: 2
}

Branching Pattern

分支模式

When exploring alternative approaches:
typescript
{
  thought: "Branch A: What if we solve this with caching instead of query optimization?",
  thoughtNumber: 6,
  totalThoughts: 10,
  nextThoughtNeeded: true,
  branchFromThought: 3,
  branchId: "caching-approach"
}
当探索备选方法时：
typescript
{
  thought: "分支A：如果我们用缓存而非查询优化来解决这个问题会怎样？",
  thoughtNumber: 6,
  totalThoughts: 10,
  nextThoughtNeeded: true,
  branchFromThought: 3,
  branchId: "caching-approach"
}

Tips

小贴士

  • 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
  • 先对
    totalThoughts
    做粗略估计，随着推进逐步细化
  • 当假设被证明错误时使用修订功能
  • 当存在多种可行方法时使用分支功能
  • 在思考内容中明确表达不确定性
  • 可自由调整范围——相比准确性，进度可见性更重要