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