How do I install the Sequential Thinking skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/sequential-thinking-6 in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Sequential Thinking safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Sequential Thinking?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Sequential Thinking free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Sequential Thinking?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Sequential Thinking by tomevault-io

Name: Sequential Thinking
Author: tomevault-io

Sequential Thinking

Structured reasoning framework for complex multi-step analysis using MCP sequential thinking tool. Provides state-based reasoning, branch/revise decision thresholds, quality scoring, and convergence rules for problems requiring 3+ logical steps, debugging unclear root causes, or handling multiple valid approaches. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Sequential Thinking Methodology

Framework for using /mcp__sequential-thinking__sequentialthinking tool effectively.

Quick Assessment

Skip entirely for: Simple facts, obvious fixes, single-step answers, routine tasks

Apply when:

Problem requires 3+ logical steps
Multiple valid approaches exist
Debugging with unclear root causes
Initial confidence <70%
State transitions or causal chains involved

Core Framework

1. Initial Classification

Simple → Skip tool
Medium → 3-4 thoughts  
Complex → up to 7 thoughts

Define: initial state → goal state → success criteria

2. State-Based Reasoning

For each thought:

Current state: What's true now?
Preconditions: What must be true for next action?
Effects: How does action change state?
Verify: Valid and closer to goal?
Check: Success criteria met?

3. Thought Structure

Thought N: [Hypothesis/Analysis/Action]
- State: [explicit]
- Logic: [deduction|induction|abduction|causal]  
- Confidence: X%
- Next: [what this enables]

4. Decision Points

Branch (branch_from_thought + unique branch_id):

Confidence <60% WITH alternative
Contradiction found
Equal validity paths (Δ<10%)

Revise (is_revision=true + revises_thought):

Fundamental error
Precondition false
Better approach (>20% gain)

Extend (needs_more_thoughts=true):

Approaching limit but incomplete

5. Quality Scoring

Start: 0 | Minimum: 5 points

Positive: Clear mechanism (+2), Verified assumption (+2), Resolved contradiction (+2), Valid transition (+1)

Negative: Circular reasoning (-3), Invalid transition (-3), Unverified assumption (-2), Logical leap (-1)

If <5 after 3 thoughts → reassess approach

6. Convergence Rules

Thoughts 1-2: Explore breadth (20%)
Thoughts 3-5: Deep dive (60%)
Thoughts 6-7: Verify only (20%)

Terminate when: 7 thoughts reached | Confidence >90% for 2 consecutive | Cycling detected | Success met

Code-Specific Additions

Track: Variable states, Pre/postconditions, Resource constraints, Error paths

Verify: Execution traces, Edge cases, Resource cleanup, Thread safety

Natural Language Integration

Use markers like:

"Let me work through this systematically..."
"This leads me to consider..."
"A potential issue here is..."

Never expose: Internal scores, Framework mechanics, Artificial confidence percentages

Meta-Rules

Admit uncertainty rather than guess
Each thought must advance solution
No pure repetition
Don't fake confidence to avoid branching

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: sequential-thinking-6description: Structured reasoning framework for complex multi-step analysis using MCP sequential thinking tool. Provides state-based reasoning, branch/revise decision thresholds, quality scoring, and convergence rules for problems requiring 3+ logical steps, debugging unclear root causes, or handling multiple valid approaches. Use when this capability is needed.---# Sequential Thinking MethodologyFramework for using `/mcp__sequential-thinking__sequentialthinking` tool effectively.## Quick Assessment**Skip entirely for:** Simple facts, obvious fixes, single-step answers, routine tasks**Apply when:**- Problem requires 3+ logical steps- Multiple valid approaches exist - Debugging with unclear root causes- Initial confidence <70%- State transitions or causal chains involved## Core Framework### 1. Initial Classification```Simple → Skip toolMedium → 3-4 thoughts Complex → up to 7 thoughts```Define: initial state → goal state → success criteria### 2. State-Based ReasoningFor each thought:1. **Current state**: What's true now?2. **Preconditions**: What must be true for next action?3. **Effects**: How does action change state?4. **Verify**: Valid and closer to goal?5. **Check**: Success criteria met?### 3. Thought Structure```Thought N: [Hypothesis/Analysis/Action]- State: [explicit]- Logic: [deduction|induction|abduction|causal] - Confidence: X%- Next: [what this enables]```### 4. Decision Points**Branch** (`branch_from_thought` + unique `branch_id`):- Confidence <60% WITH alternative- Contradiction found- Equal validity paths (Δ<10%)**Revise** (`is_revision=true` + `revises_thought`):- Fundamental error- Precondition false- Better approach (>20% gain)**Extend** (`needs_more_thoughts=true`):- Approaching limit but incomplete### 5. Quality ScoringStart: 0 | Minimum: 5 points**Positive:** Clear mechanism (+2), Verified assumption (+2), Resolved contradiction (+2), Valid transition (+1)**Negative:** Circular reasoning (-3), Invalid transition (-3), Unverified assumption (-2), Logical leap (-1)If <5 after 3 thoughts → reassess approach### 6. Convergence Rules- Thoughts 1-2: Explore breadth (20%)- Thoughts 3-5: Deep dive (60%) - Thoughts 6-7: Verify only (20%)**Terminate when:** 7 thoughts reached | Confidence >90% for 2 consecutive | Cycling detected | Success met## Code-Specific AdditionsTrack: Variable states, Pre/postconditions, Resource constraints, Error pathsVerify: Execution traces, Edge cases, Resource cleanup, Thread safety## Natural Language IntegrationUse markers like:- "Let me work through this systematically..."- "This leads me to consider..."- "A potential issue here is..."Never expose: Internal scores, Framework mechanics, Artificial confidence percentages## Meta-Rules- Admit uncertainty rather than guess- Each thought must advance solution- No pure repetition- Don't fake confidence to avoid branching---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/petbrains) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions