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Think Strategies MCP Server

Overview

An MCP server implementation that provides a tool for dynamic and reflective problem-solving through structured thinking processes. Choose from 10 different reasoning strategies:

  • 🔄 Linear - Flexible thinking with revisions and branches

  • đź”— Chain of Thought - Sequential step-by-step reasoning

  • 🎯 React - Reasoning combined with actions and observations

  • đź“‹ ReWOO - Plan-execute pattern with parallel tool usage

  • 📝 Scratchpad - Iterative calculations with state tracking

  • âť“ Self-Ask - Decompose into sub-questions and answers

  • 🔍 Self-Consistency - Multiple reasoning paths to consensus

  • đź”­ Step-Back - Abstract principles before specific application

  • 🌳 Tree of Thoughts - Explore and evaluate multiple branches

  • ⚖️ Trilemma - Balance three competing objectives through satisficing

Related MCP server: CRASH - Cascaded Reasoning with Adaptive Step Handling

Documentation

Comprehensive documentation is available in the following files:

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

  • Support for unfixed step numbers through cyclic flows

  • Strategy-specific flow patterns for different reasoning approaches

  • Generate and verify solution hypotheses

Architecture

The think-strategies server uses a consolidated 3-tool architecture designed for optimal balance between simplicity and power:

Core Tools

1. think-strategies (Core Thinking)

Facilitates structured problem-solving with prominent strategy selection.

Parameters (7):

  • strategy (string): Primary choice - one of 10 reasoning strategies

  • thought (string): The current thinking step

  • thoughtNumber (integer): Current thought number (uses dual A1|S1 numbering)

  • totalThoughts (integer): Estimated total thoughts needed

  • nextThoughtNeeded (boolean): Whether another thought step is needed

  • plannedActions (array, optional): Plan tool calls for think→act→reflect workflow

  • actionResults (array, optional): Integrate results from executed tools

  • action (string, optional): Strategy-specific action (for ReAct, ReWOO)

  • observation (string, optional): Strategy-specific observation

  • finalAnswer (string, optional): Final result when thinking is complete

2. think-tools (Action-Based Utilities)

Consolidated utilities with action-based routing.

Parameters (6):

  • action (string): "connect-server" | "execute-actions" | "server-status" | "create-branch"

  • serverName (string, optional): MCP server name for connections

  • command (string, optional): Command to execute

  • args (array, optional): Command arguments

  • branchId (string, optional): Branch identifier for branching

  • branchFromThought (number, optional): Thought number to branch from

  • thought (string, optional): Context for branching

3. think-session-manager (Session Operations)

Manage thinking session persistence and continuity.

Parameters (3):

  • action (string): "list" | "get" | "resume"

  • sessionId (string, optional): Specific session ID

  • limit (number, optional): Number of sessions to return (default: 10)

Key Features

  • Strategy Selection Prominence: Clear choice among 10 reasoning strategies

  • Think→Act→Reflect Workflow: Seamless integration with any available tools

  • Dual Numbering System: Absolute (A1, A2...) and sequence-relative (S1, S2...) tracking

  • True Branching: Create alternative reasoning paths

  • Session Continuity: Persistent sessions with resume capability

  • MCP Integration: Connect to other MCP servers during thinking

  • No Tool Duplication: Clean separation of concerns across 3 focused tools

Resources

  • documentation: Complete tool documentation and usage examples

  • strategy-config: Configuration for all 10 thinking strategies and their stage flows

Usage

When to Use Think-Strategies

The think-strategies server is designed for:

  • Complex Problem-Solving: Break down multi-step challenges into manageable pieces

  • Strategic Analysis: Choose the optimal reasoning approach for your specific problem type

  • Iterative Refinement: Revise and improve your thinking as understanding deepens

  • Alternative Exploration: Branch into different solution paths and compare approaches

  • Tool Integration: Combine reasoning with real tool execution (think\u2192act\u2192reflect)

  • Session Continuity: Resume and build upon previous thinking sessions

Strategy Selection Guide

  • Linear/Chain of Thought: Step-by-step reasoning for straightforward problems

  • ReAct: When you need to gather information or execute actions during reasoning

  • ReWOO: For parallel tool usage and plan-execute workflows

  • Tree of Thoughts: When exploring multiple solution branches is valuable

  • Trilemma: For balancing three competing objectives through satisficing

  • Self-Ask: Break complex questions into simpler sub-questions

  • Step-Back: When you need to establish principles before diving into specifics

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Node.js (v14 or higher) and npm (v6 or higher) OR

  • Docker

Quick Start with npx (Easiest)

You can run the server directly using npx without cloning or installing:

# Run from npm registry (after publishing)
npx think-strategies

# Or run directly from GitHub
npx github:aaronsb/think-strategies

Setup with Node.js

  1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/aaronsb/think-strategies.git
cd think-strategies
  1. Install dependencies:

npm install
  1. Make the server executable:

chmod +x index.js
  1. Run the server:

node index.js

Setup with Docker

Pull and run the latest image from GitHub Container Registry:

docker run --rm -i ghcr.io/aaronsb/think-strategies:latest

Building Locally

  1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/aaronsb/think-strategies.git
cd think-strategies
  1. Build the Docker image:

./scripts/build-local.sh
  1. Run the Docker container:

./scripts/run-local.sh

This will run the server with the correct permissions, ensuring that any files created are owned by the current user, not root.

Development

To contribute to the project:

  1. Fork the repository on GitHub

  2. Clone your fork locally

  3. Add the upstream repository:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/aaronsb/think-strategies.git
  1. Create a branch for your changes

  2. Submit a pull request with your changes

Configuration

Add the think-strategies MCP server using Claude Code's built-in command:

# Add from GitHub (latest version)
claude mcp add think-strategies "npx" "github:aaronsb/think-strategies" -- --storage-path "/home/$(whoami)/Documents/thinking"

# Add from local development path
claude mcp add think-strategies "node" "/path/to/think-strategies/index.js" -- --storage-path "/home/$(whoami)/Documents/thinking"

# Add with Docker
claude mcp add think-strategies "docker" "run" "--rm" "-i" "--user" "$(id -u):$(id -g)" "-v" "/home/$(whoami)/Documents/thinking:/app/data" "ghcr.io/aaronsb/think-strategies:latest"

# Optional: Use user scope to share thinking sessions across all projects
claude mcp add --scope user think-strategies "npx" "github:aaronsb/think-strategies" -- --storage-path "/home/$(whoami)/Documents/thinking"

Scope Options:

  • Local (default): Server available only in current project directory

  • User (recommended): Server available globally, allowing you to access all thinking sessions across projects and build a comprehensive knowledge base

Manual Configuration

Usage with Claude Desktop

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "think-strategies": {
      "autoApprove": ["think-strategies", "think-tools", "think-session-manager"],
      "disabled": false,
      "timeout": 60,
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "github:aaronsb/think-strategies",
        "--storage-path",
        "/path/to/thinking/storage"
      ],
      "transportType": "stdio"
    }
  }
}

Usage with Cline

Add this to your cline_mcp_settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "think-strategies": {
      "autoApprove": ["think-strategies", "think-tools", "think-session-manager"],
      "disabled": false,
      "timeout": 60,
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "github:aaronsb/think-strategies"
      ],
      "env": {},
      "transportType": "stdio"
    }
  }
}

Using Node.js

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "think-strategies": {
      "autoApprove": ["think-strategies", "think-tools", "think-session-manager"],
      "disabled": false,
      "timeout": 60,
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/repo/think-strategies/index.js"
      ],
      "env": {},
      "transportType": "stdio"
    }
  }
}

Using Docker

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "think-strategies": {
      "autoApprove": ["think-strategies", "think-tools", "think-session-manager"],
      "disabled": false,
      "timeout": 60,
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--rm",
        "-i",
        "--user",
        "$(id -u):$(id -g)",
        "-v",
        "/tmp/sequentialthinking-plus-data:/app/data",
        "ghcr.io/aaronsb/think-strategies:latest"
      ],
      "env": {},
      "transportType": "stdio"
    }
  }
}

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.

Available Tools

3 tools
think-session-managerC

Manage thinking sessions: list with pagination/filtering, search by content, get detailed analysis, or resume previous sessions

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
actionYes
sessionIdNo
limitNo
offsetNo
queryNo
strategyNo
includeTopicsNo
sortByNotimestamp
completionStatusNo
minScoreNo

TDQS

C2.7/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions pagination/filtering for listing and content-based searching, but lacks details on permissions, rate limits, mutation effects (e.g., whether 'resume' modifies sessions), or response formats. For a tool with 10 parameters and multiple actions, this leaves significant behavioral gaps.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence that front-loads the core purpose and lists key actions. It avoids redundancy and wastes no words, though it could be slightly more structured (e.g., bullet points) given the complexity of actions and parameters.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (10 parameters, 4 actions, no annotations, no output schema), the description is incomplete. It lacks details on behavioral traits, parameter meanings, output expectations, and differentiation from siblings. The agent would struggle to use this tool effectively without additional context or trial-and-error.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for undocumented parameters. It only loosely maps to parameters: 'list with pagination/filtering' hints at 'limit', 'offset', and filtering parameters; 'search by content' hints at 'query'; 'get detailed analysis' and 'resume' hint at 'sessionId'. However, it omits many parameters (e.g., 'strategy', 'includeTopics', 'sortBy', 'completionStatus', 'minScore') and doesn't explain their semantics, failing to adequately compensate for the coverage gap.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's purpose as managing thinking sessions with four specific actions: list, search, get detailed analysis, and resume. It uses specific verbs and identifies the resource as 'thinking sessions,' but doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'think-strategies' or 'think-tools' beyond the general domain.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus the sibling tools 'think-strategies' or 'think-tools.' It lists the available actions but doesn't explain when to choose one action over another or any prerequisites for usage. The agent must infer usage from the action parameter alone.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

think-strategiesB

Core thinking tool for structured problem-solving using 10 reasoning strategies. Choose your strategy (linear, chain_of_thought, react, rewoo, scratchpad, self_ask, self_consistency, step_back, tree_of_thoughts, trilemma) and engage in guided thinking with think→act→reflect workflows. Plan actions with 'plannedActions', integrate results with 'actionResults'. Use think-tools for utilities and think-session-manager for session persistence.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
thoughtYes
nextThoughtNeededNo
thoughtNumberNo
totalThoughtsNo
strategyNo
sessionPurposeNo
qualityRatingNo
actionNo
observationNo
finalAnswerNo
plannedActionsNo
actionResultsNo

TDQS

B3/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions 'think→act→reflect workflows' and integration with planned actions and results, but lacks critical behavioral details: it doesn't specify whether this tool performs read-only operations or mutations, what happens to session state, whether there are rate limits, authentication requirements, or what the output format looks like. For a complex tool with 12 parameters, this is a significant gap.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is reasonably concise with three sentences, but could be more front-loaded. The first sentence effectively introduces the core purpose, but the subsequent sentences mix usage guidance and parameter references without clear structural separation. Some phrases like 'engage in guided thinking' are somewhat vague and could be more precise.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (12 parameters with nested objects, no output schema, no annotations), the description is inadequate. It doesn't explain the tool's behavioral characteristics, provides minimal parameter guidance, and offers no information about return values or error handling. For a sophisticated thinking tool with workflow capabilities, much more context is needed about how the tool actually operates and what agents should expect.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

With 0% schema description coverage and 12 parameters (many complex nested objects), the description provides minimal parameter guidance. It mentions 'strategy' parameter with 10 options and references 'plannedActions' and 'actionResults,' but doesn't explain the purpose or relationships of most parameters like 'thought,' 'qualityRating,' 'finalAnswer,' or the various numeric fields. The description fails to compensate for the complete lack of schema descriptions.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's purpose as 'Core thinking tool for structured problem-solving using 10 reasoning strategies' with specific verbs ('engage in guided thinking') and resources ('think→act→reflect workflows'). It distinguishes from siblings by mentioning 'think-tools for utilities and think-session-manager for session persistence,' though it doesn't fully explain how this tool differs functionally from those siblings beyond being the 'core' tool.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides clear context for when to use this tool ('structured problem-solving') and explicitly names alternatives ('think-tools for utilities and think-session-manager for session persistence'), giving good guidance on tool selection. However, it doesn't specify when NOT to use this tool or provide detailed exclusion criteria, keeping it from a perfect score.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

think-toolsC

Utilities for thinking workflows: connect to MCP servers, execute actions, check status, create branches

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
actionYes
serverNameNo
commandNo
argsNo
branchIdNo
branchFromThoughtNo
thoughtNo

TDQS

C2.4/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions actions like 'connect to MCP servers' and 'execute actions' but doesn't clarify permissions needed, side effects, rate limits, or what 'check status' and 'create branches' entail in terms of behavior. This leaves significant gaps for a tool with multiple potential operations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise and front-loaded with a list of utilities, using a single sentence without unnecessary words. However, it could be more structured by explicitly linking actions to parameters or providing clearer categorization.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity of 7 parameters, 0% schema coverage, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't adequately explain how to use the tool, what each action does, or what to expect in return, making it insufficient for effective agent use.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

With 0% schema description coverage and 7 parameters, the description does not add any meaning beyond the input schema. It lists actions but doesn't explain how parameters like serverName, command, args, branchId, branchFromThought, or thought relate to those actions, failing to compensate for the lack of schema documentation.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose3/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description lists four utilities (connect to MCP servers, execute actions, check status, create branches) which gives a general idea of what the tool does, but it's vague about the specific verb+resource combinations and doesn't distinguish from sibling tools like think-session-manager or think-strategies. It states 'Utilities for thinking workflows' which is somewhat helpful but lacks specificity.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus its siblings (think-session-manager, think-strategies), nor does it specify contexts or exclusions for its different actions. It merely lists functions without indicating appropriate scenarios or alternatives.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

TDQS

B3.2/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

The three tools have distinct primary purposes: session management, core thinking strategies, and workflow utilities. However, there is some overlap between 'think-strategies' and 'think-tools' regarding action execution and integration, which could cause minor confusion about which tool to use for specific tasks like executing actions or handling results.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tool names follow a consistent 'think-' prefix pattern with descriptive suffixes (session-manager, strategies, tools). This creates a clear, predictable naming convention that helps agents identify the toolset as part of a coherent system.

Tool Count5/5

With 3 tools, this is well-scoped for a thinking strategies server. Each tool serves a distinct functional area (session management, reasoning strategies, utilities), and the count is appropriate for covering the domain without being overwhelming or insufficient.

Completeness4/5

The toolset covers core aspects of structured thinking: strategy selection, session persistence, and workflow utilities. A minor gap exists in direct manipulation of thinking artifacts (e.g., editing or deleting sessions), but the tools support the main think→act→reflect workflows adequately for most agent use cases.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

Resources

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