ThoughtMCP

# Simple Question Answering **Time**: 5 minutes **Difficulty**: Beginner **Tools Used**: `think` ## The Scenario You want to ask ThoughtMCP a question and get a thoughtful response. This is the most basic use case - like having a conversation with a knowledgeable advisor. ## Basic Usage ### Simple Question **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?" } } ``` **What Happens:** - ThoughtMCP analyzes the question - Uses balanced thinking (default mode) - Considers multiple perspectives - Provides structured reasoning **Expected Response Structure:** ```json { "content": { "reasoning_path": [ { "step": "problem_analysis", "content": "This is a decision-making question requiring systematic evaluation..." }, { "step": "factor_identification", "content": "Key factors include: team expertise, project requirements, ecosystem..." } ], "conclusion": "Choose based on team skills, project needs, and long-term maintenance...", "confidence": 0.75 } } ``` ## Different Thinking Modes ### Intuitive Mode (Fast) **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?", "mode": "intuitive" } } ``` **What's Different:** - Faster response - More gut-reaction based - Good for familiar topics - Less detailed analysis **When to Use:** - Quick decisions - Familiar problems - Time pressure - Initial brainstorming ### Deliberative Mode (Careful) **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?", "mode": "deliberative" } } ``` **What's Different:** - Slower, more thorough - Step-by-step analysis - Considers more factors - Higher confidence in complex scenarios **When to Use:** - Important decisions - Complex problems - Unfamiliar territory - High-stakes situations ### Creative Mode (Innovative) **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?", "mode": "creative" } } ``` **What's Different:** - Emphasizes novel connections - Considers unconventional approaches - More exploratory thinking - Good for innovation **When to Use:** - Brainstorming - Innovation challenges - Breaking conventional thinking - Exploring new possibilities ### Analytical Mode (Logical) **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?", "mode": "analytical" } } ``` **What's Different:** - Emphasizes logical reasoning - Systematic evaluation - Data-driven approach - Structured analysis **When to Use:** - Technical problems - Data analysis - Systematic evaluation - Logical reasoning tasks ## Adding Context and Preferences ### With Emotional Processing **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "I'm stressed about choosing the right programming language for my startup. What should I consider?", "mode": "balanced", "enable_emotion": true } } ``` **What's Different:** - Recognizes emotional context (stress) - Considers psychological factors - More empathetic response - Addresses emotional concerns ### With Self-Monitoring **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What are the key factors to consider when choosing a programming language for a new project?", "mode": "deliberative", "enable_metacognition": true } } ``` **What's Different:** - Monitors its own reasoning quality - Identifies potential biases - Suggests reasoning improvements - Higher quality assurance ### With Context **Tool Call:** ```json { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "What programming language should I choose for my e-commerce startup with a team of 3 junior developers and a 6-month timeline?", "mode": "deliberative", "context": { "domain": "e-commerce", "team_size": 3, "experience_level": "junior", "timeline": "6 months", "urgency": 0.8 } } } ``` **What's Different:** - Tailored to specific situation - Considers all contextual factors - More relevant recommendations - Personalized advice ## Understanding the Response ### Response Components **Reasoning Path:** - Shows step-by-step thinking - Explains the logic used - Identifies key decision points **Confidence Level:** - 0.0 to 1.0 scale - Higher = more certain - Helps you assess reliability **Emotional Context:** - Emotional tone detected - Emotional factors considered - Empathetic elements **Metacognitive Assessment:** - Quality of reasoning - Potential biases identified - Suggestions for improvement ### Interpreting Confidence - **0.9-1.0**: Very confident, well-established knowledge - **0.7-0.9**: Confident, good reasoning with some uncertainty - **0.5-0.7**: Moderate confidence, reasonable but could be improved - **0.3-0.5**: Low confidence, significant uncertainty - **0.0-0.3**: Very uncertain, speculative response ## Try It Yourself ### Experiment 1: Mode Comparison Try the same question with different modes and compare: - How do response times differ? - Which mode gives more detailed answers? - When would you use each mode? ### Experiment 2: Context Effects Try these variations: ```json // Without context { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "Should I learn Python or JavaScript?" } } // With context { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "Should I learn Python or JavaScript?", "context": { "goal": "web development", "experience": "beginner", "timeline": "3 months" } } } ``` ### Experiment 3: Emotional Processing Compare responses with and without emotional processing: ```json // Standard { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "I'm worried about making the wrong technology choice for my project" } } // With emotion { "tool": "think", "arguments": { "input": "I'm worried about making the wrong technology choice for my project", "enable_emotion": true } } ``` ## Key Takeaways ### What Makes This Better Than Standard AI? **Standard AI:** - Single-pass processing - Same response every time - No reasoning transparency - No confidence assessment **ThoughtMCP:** - Multiple thinking modes - Reasoning path shown - Confidence levels provided - Self-monitoring capability ### When to Use Each Mode - **Intuitive**: Quick decisions, familiar problems - **Deliberative**: Important decisions, complex problems - **Balanced**: General use, mixed scenarios - **Creative**: Innovation, brainstorming - **Analytical**: Technical problems, data analysis ### Best Practices 1. **Start with balanced mode** for general questions 2. **Use context** to get more relevant answers 3. **Enable emotion** for personal or sensitive topics 4. **Enable metacognition** for important decisions 5. **Pay attention to confidence** levels ## Next Steps - **[Building Knowledge](building-knowledge.md)** - Learn to use memory tools - **[Quality Checking](quality-checking.md)** - Improve reasoning quality - **[Complete Workflow](complete-workflow.md)** - Use all tools together - **[Real-World Examples](../real-world/)** - See complex applications --- _Ready for the next step? Learn about [Building Knowledge](building-knowledge.md) with memory tools._