modu-ai/moai-adk/moai-workflow-thinking

Sequential Thinking MCP (--deepthink)

Structured step-by-step reasoning via mcp__sequential-thinking__sequentialthinking MCP tool.

CRITICAL: Three Distinct Reasoning Modes

MoAI has THREE independent deep analysis modes. They are NOT the same thing:

Rules:

• --deepthink → ALWAYS invoke Sequential Thinking MCP. NEVER use for native reasoning.
• ultrathink → ALWAYS use Claude's native extended reasoning. NEVER invoke Sequential Thinking MCP.
• They can coexist: ultrathink --deepthink activates BOTH modes independently.
• Adaptive Thinking → Opus 4.7's built-in reasoning. Let the model adapt depth automatically based on task complexity.
• On Opus 4.7: do not hardcode a fixed reasoning budget. Adaptive Thinking overrides fixed-budget instructions.

Activation Triggers (--deepthink only)

Use Sequential Thinking MCP when --deepthink flag is explicitly present:

• Breaking down complex problems into steps
• Planning and design with room for revision
• Architecture decisions affect 3+ files
• Technology selection between multiple options
• Performance vs maintainability trade-offs
• Breaking changes under consideration
• Multiple approaches exist to solve the same problem
• Repetitive errors occur

Tool Parameters

Required Parameters:

• thought (string): Current thinking step content
• nextThoughtNeeded (boolean): Whether another step is needed
• thoughtNumber (integer): Current thought number (starts from 1)
• totalThoughts (integer): Estimated total thoughts needed

Optional Parameters:

• isRevision (boolean): Whether this revises previous thinking
• revisesThought (integer): Which thought is being reconsidered
• branchFromThought (integer): Branching point for alternatives
• branchId (string): Branch identifier
• needsMoreThoughts (boolean): If more thoughts needed beyond estimate

Usage Pattern

Step 1 - Initial Analysis:

thought: "Analyzing the problem: [describe problem]"
nextThoughtNeeded: true
thoughtNumber: 1
totalThoughts: 5

Step 2 - Decomposition:

thought: "Breaking down: [sub-problems]"
nextThoughtNeeded: true
thoughtNumber: 2
totalThoughts: 5

Step 3 - Revision (if needed):

thought: "Revising thought 2: [correction]"
isRevision: true
revisesThought: 2
thoughtNumber: 3
totalThoughts: 5
nextThoughtNeeded: true

Final Step - Conclusion:

thought: "Conclusion: [final answer]"
thoughtNumber: 5
totalThoughts: 5
nextThoughtNeeded: false

Guidelines

1. Start with reasonable totalThoughts estimate
2. Use isRevision when correcting previous thoughts
3. Maintain thoughtNumber sequence
4. Set nextThoughtNeeded to false only when complete
5. Use branching for exploring alternatives

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Common Rationalizations

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Red Flags

• Architecture decision made without documented reasoning chain
• Sequential thinking session ended with nextThoughtNeeded still true
• Thought chain has no revision steps despite encountering contradictions
• Branching not used when two or more viable alternatives were identified
• --deepthink flag confused with UltraThink (wrong tool for the job)

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Verification

• [ ] Thinking chain has a clear totalThoughts estimate that was met or revised
• [ ] Final thought sets nextThoughtNeeded to false with a conclusion
• [ ] At least one revision step exists if contradictions were encountered
• [ ] Branching used when multiple alternatives were identified (show branch IDs)
• [ ] Conclusion references specific thought numbers as supporting evidence

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