# Sequential Thinking > Step-by-step and reflective problem-solving for complex or multi-step tasks. Use when tackling complex tasks, planning, design, analysis that may need revision, unclear scope, or when the user asks for step-by-step reasoning. When the sequential-thinking MCP tool is available, use it for hard problems; otherwise apply the same principles in plain reasoning. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/sequential-thinking-4` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/sequential-thinking-4` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/sequential-thinking-4/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/sequential-thinking-4 --- # Sequential Thinking Break down complex work into ordered steps, revise when needed, and produce one clear answer. Use for multi-step tasks, planning, and problems where scope or approach may change. ## When to Use - Complex or multi-step tasks - Planning and design with room for revision - Analysis that might need course correction - Problems where the full scope is unclear at the start - Tasks that need context carried across steps - When irrelevant information must be filtered out - When the user asks for step-by-step reasoning ## Behavior Without the MCP Tool 1. Break the task into ordered steps. 2. State one step at a time; build on the previous step. 3. Revise earlier steps when you discover they are wrong or incomplete. 4. Branch or backtrack when exploring alternatives. 5. Generate a solution hypothesis when appropriate; verify it against the steps. 6. Repeat until satisfied, then give a single, clear final answer. Principles: Start with an estimate of how many steps you need and adjust as you go. Express uncertainty. Ignore information that is irrelevant to the current step. ## Using the Sequential Thinking MCP Tool When the **sequentialthinking** MCP tool is enabled (e.g. user-sequential-thinking server), prefer calling it for hard problems so thoughts are tracked and revisable. - **Required every call**: `thought` (current step), `thoughtNumber`, `totalThoughts`, `nextThoughtNeeded`. - Start with an initial estimate of `totalThoughts`; increase or decrease as you progress. - Set `nextThoughtNeeded: true` until you are done; set `nextThoughtNeeded: false` only when you have a satisfactory final answer. - **Revisions**: Set `isRevision: true` and `revisesThought` to the thought number you are reconsidering. - **Branches**: Use `branchFromThought` (thought number) and `branchId` (e.g. "alt-1") when exploring a different path. - **More thoughts later**: Set `needsMoreThoughts: true` when you reach what seemed like the end but realize you need more steps. Use the tool to generate a hypothesis, verify it against the chain of thought, and repeat until satisfied before returning one correct answer. ## Principles (With or Without Tool) - Start with an estimate of steps; adjust freely. - Revise or add steps at any time. - Express uncertainty when present. - Ignore irrelevant information for the current step. - Hypothesize and verify when useful. - End with a single, clear answer when satisfied. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/antoinebou12) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.