Sequential Thinking

Sequential Thinking MCP Server

What is Sequential Thinking MCP Server?

The Sequential Thinking MCP Server is a server implementation designed for dynamic and reflective problem-solving. It facilitates a structured thinking process, allowing users to break down complex problems into manageable steps, revise their thoughts, explore alternative reasoning paths, and dynamically adjust the estimated number of steps required for a solution.

How to use Sequential Thinking MCP Server?

The server can be integrated using either npx or docker.

Using npx: Add the following configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sequential-thinking": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
      ]
    }
  }
}

For VS Code integration, you can add this to your User Settings (JSON) or a .vscode/mcp.json file:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "sequential-thinking": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": [
          "-y",
          "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

You can also use the provided VS Code installation buttons for a quicker setup.

Using Docker: Add the following configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sequentialthinking": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--rm",
        "-i",
        "mcp/sequentialthinking"
      ]
    }
  }
}

For VS Code integration, use this configuration:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "sequential-thinking": {
        "command": "docker",
        "args": [
          "run",
          "--rm",
          "-i",
          "mcp/sequentialthinking"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code installation buttons for Docker are also available.

To disable thought information logging, set the environment variable DISABLE_THOUGHT_LOGGING to true.

Key Features of Sequential Thinking MCP Server

• Problem Decomposition: Breaks down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps.
• Revision and Refinement: Allows for revision and refinement of thoughts as understanding evolves.
• Branching: Supports branching into alternative lines of reasoning.
• Dynamic Thought Adjustment: Enables dynamic adjustment of the total number of thoughts needed.
• Hypothesis Generation and Verification: Facilitates the generation and verification of solution hypotheses.

Use Cases of Sequential Thinking MCP Server

The Sequential Thinking tool is ideal for:

• Step-by-step problem-solving and analysis.
• Planning and design processes that require flexibility and room for revision.
• Analytical tasks where course correction might be necessary.
• Addressing problems where the full scope is not initially clear.
• Maintaining context across multiple steps in a task.
• Filtering out irrelevant information during a process.

FAQ from Sequential Thinking MCP Server

• How to build the Docker image? Run docker build -t mcp/sequentialthinking -f src/sequentialthinking/Dockerfile .
• What is the license? The server is licensed under the MIT License.
• How to disable logging? Set the environment variable DISABLE_THOUGHT_LOGGING to true.

Sequential Thinking MCP Server

An MCP server implementation that provides a tool for dynamic and reflective problem-solving through a structured thinking process.

Features

• Break down complex problems into manageable steps
• Revise and refine thoughts as understanding deepens
• Branch into alternative paths of reasoning
• Adjust the total number of thoughts dynamically
• Generate and verify solution hypotheses

Tool

sequential_thinking

Facilitates a detailed, step-by-step thinking process for problem-solving and analysis.

Inputs:

• thought (string): The current thinking step
• nextThoughtNeeded (boolean): Whether another thought step is needed
• thoughtNumber (integer): Current thought number
• totalThoughts (integer): Estimated total thoughts needed
• isRevision (boolean, optional): Whether this revises previous thinking
• revisesThought (integer, optional): Which thought is being reconsidered
• branchFromThought (integer, optional): Branching point thought number
• branchId (string, optional): Branch identifier
• needsMoreThoughts (boolean, optional): If more thoughts are needed

Usage

The Sequential Thinking tool is designed for:

• Breaking down complex problems into steps
• Planning and design with room for revision
• Analysis that might need course correction
• Problems where the full scope might not be clear initially
• Tasks that need to maintain context over multiple steps
• Situations where irrelevant information needs to be filtered out

Configuration

Usage with Claude Desktop

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:

npx

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sequential-thinking": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
      ]
    }
  }
}

docker

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sequentialthinking": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--rm",
        "-i",
        "mcp/sequentialthinking"
      ]
    }
  }
}

To disable logging of thought information set env var: DISABLE_THOUGHT_LOGGING to true. Comment

Usage with VS Code

For quick installation, click one of the installation buttons below...

For manual installation, add the following JSON block to your User Settings (JSON) file in VS Code. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P and typing Preferences: Open Settings (JSON).

Optionally, you can add it to a file called .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace. This will allow you to share the configuration with others.

Note that the mcp key is not needed in the .vscode/mcp.json file.

For NPX installation:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "sequential-thinking": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": [
          "-y",
          "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

For Docker installation:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "sequential-thinking": {
        "command": "docker",
        "args": [
          "run",
          "--rm",
          "-i",
          "mcp/sequentialthinking"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Building

Docker:

docker build -t mcp/sequentialthinking -f src/sequentialthinking/Dockerfile .

License

This MCP server is licensed under the MIT License. This means you are free to use, modify, and distribute the software, subject to the terms and conditions of the MIT License. For more details, please see the LICENSE file in the project repository.