What is Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
The Sequential Thinking MCP Server is a powerful tool designed to implement a sequential thinking protocol, providing a structured approach to problem-solving by breaking down complex issues into manageable steps.
How to use Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
To use the server, you can integrate it with various platforms like Node.js or Docker. You can also use NPX for easy access. Simply follow the configuration instructions provided in the documentation to set it up in your environment.
Key features of Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
- Structured Analysis: Breaks down complex problems into manageable steps.
- Iterative Refinement: Allows for revising and refining thoughts as understanding deepens.
- Alternative Pathways: Supports branching into alternative paths of reasoning.
- Dynamic Adjustment: Adjusts the total number of thoughts as needed.
- Solution Validation: Generates and verifies solution hypotheses.
Use cases of Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
- Analyzing complex problems requiring step-by-step breakdown.
- Planning and design projects needing iterative refinement.
- Workflows that may require course correction.
- Situations where the full scope isn't initially clear.
- Tasks that need to maintain context over multiple steps.
FAQ from Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
- Can this server handle all types of problems?
Yes! It is designed to assist with a wide range of complex problems.
- Is there a cost to use the Sequential Thinking MCP Server?
No, it is free to use.
- How can I contribute to the project?
You can contribute by submitting issues or pull requests on the GitHub repository.
Sequential Thinking MCP Server
📖 Overview
A powerful MCP server implementing sequential thinking protocol that provides a structured approach to problem-solving. This server helps break down complex problems into manageable steps while maintaining flexibility for revisions and alternative reasoning paths.
✨ Features
- 🔍 Structured Analysis - Break down complex problems into manageable steps
- 🔄 Iterative Refinement - Revise and refine thoughts as understanding deepens
- 🌲 Alternative Pathways - Branch into alternative paths of reasoning
- 📊 Dynamic Adjustment - Adjust the total number of thoughts as needed
- ✅ Solution Validation - Generate and verify solution hypotheses
🛠️ Tool Interface
sequential_thinking
Facilitates a detailed, step-by-step thinking process for problem-solving and analysis.
Input Parameters
Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
---|---|---|---|
thought | string | Yes | The current thinking step |
nextThoughtNeeded | boolean | Yes | Whether another thought step is needed |
thoughtNumber | integer | Yes | Current thought number |
totalThoughts | integer | Yes | Estimated total thoughts needed |
isRevision | boolean | No | Whether this revises previous thinking |
revisesThought | integer | No | Which thought is being reconsidered |
branchFromThought | integer | No | Branching point thought number |
branchId | string | No | Branch identifier |
needsMoreThoughts | boolean | No | If more thoughts are needed |
🎯 Use Cases
The Sequential Thinking tool is ideal for:
- 📝 Complex problems requiring step-by-step breakdown
- 🎨 Planning and design projects needing iterative refinement
- 🔄 Analysis workflows that may require course correction
- 🌐 Situations where the full scope isn't initially clear
- 📚 Tasks that need to maintain context over multiple steps
- 🔍 Filtering out irrelevant information from complex scenarios
⚙️ Integration Methods
Using with Claude Desktop
📦 NPX Configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking"
]
}
}
}
🐳 Docker Configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"--rm",
"-i",
"zengwenliang0416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking"
]
}
}
}
Using with Cursor IDE
📦 NPX Method (Recommended)
- Install the package:
# Install globally
npm install -g @zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking
# Or use NPX directly
npx -y @zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking
- Configure in Cursor settings (JSON):
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking"
]
}
}
}
💻 Local Build Method
- Build locally:
cd /path/to/sequential-thinking
npm install
npm run build
- Configure in Cursor settings (JSON):
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/sequential-thinking/dist/index.js"
]
}
}
}
🐳 Docker Method
- Build Docker image:
# Build Docker image
docker build -t zengwenliang0416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking .
- Configure in Cursor settings (JSON):
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"--rm",
"-i",
"zengwenliang0416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking"
]
}
}
}
🔧 Environment Variables Method
- Create a startup script:
#!/bin/sh
export CURSOR_MCP_CONFIG=/path/to/your/mcp_config.json
open -a Cursor
- Add to
mcp_config.json
:
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/absolute/path/to/sequential-thinking/dist/index.js"
]
}
}
}
- Make executable:
chmod +x start_cursor_with_mcp.sh
Note: MCP integration is primarily supported in the Composer feature of Cursor IDE.
🚀 Building From Source
Local Build
git clone https://github.com/zengwenliang416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking.git
cd mcp-server-sequential-thinking
npm install
npm run build
Docker Build
git clone https://github.com/zengwenliang416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking.git
cd mcp-server-sequential-thinking
docker build -t zengwenliang0416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking .
# Verify the build
docker images | grep sequential-thinking
📄 Publishing Guide
Publishing to npm
Prerequisites
- Node.js and npm installed
- npm account with access to the @zengwenliang scope
- Package built locally
Publishing Steps
-
Update version in package.json
{ "name": "@zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking", "version": "0.6.4", "description": "MCP server for sequential thinking and problem solving" }
-
Use official npm registry
npm config set registry https://registry.npmjs.org/
-
Login to npm
npm login
Follow the prompts to log in through your browser.
-
Check organization membership For scoped packages, ensure you're part of the scope:
# Check if you're part of the organization npm org ls your-org-name # For personal scopes, this is automatically created with your username
-
Build and publish
npm run build # For first-time publishing a scoped package npm publish --access public # For subsequent updates npm publish
-
Verify publication
npm view @zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking
-
Commit your changes
git add . git commit -m "feat(publish): 🚀 发布npm包@zengwenliang/mcp-server-sequential-thinking" git push
Version Updates
Use semantic versioning:
# For patches (bug fixes)
npm version patch
# For minor updates (features)
npm version minor
# For major updates (breaking changes)
npm version major
After updating the version, build and publish again:
npm run build
npm publish
🔐 CI/CD Configuration
Setting Up GitHub Actions
Required Secrets
Add these secrets to your repository settings:
-
NPM_TOKEN
- Generate at npm: Account → Access Tokens → "Automation" token type
- Step-by-step instructions:
- Log in to your npm account: https://www.npmjs.com/login
- Click on your profile picture, then select "Access Tokens"
- Click "Generate New Token" button
- Important: Select "Automation" token type (not "Publish") to bypass OTP requirements
- Enter a token description (e.g., "GitHub Actions")
- Click "Generate Token"
- Important: Copy the generated token immediately! It will only be displayed once
-
DOCKERHUB_USERNAME
- Your Docker Hub username
- This should be the same username you use to log in to Docker Hub
-
DOCKERHUB_TOKEN
- Generate in Docker Hub: Account Settings → Security → New Access Token
- Step-by-step instructions:
- Log in to your Docker Hub account
- Click on your username, then select "Account Settings"
- Select "Security" from the left navigation bar
- Click "New Access Token"
- Enter a description and select appropriate permissions (at least "Read & Write")
- Click "Generate"
- Copy the generated token immediately! It will only be displayed once
Adding Secrets to GitHub
- Go to repository Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions
- Click the "New repository secret" button
- Add each secret individually:
- NPM_TOKEN: Paste your npm access token value
- DOCKERHUB_USERNAME: Enter your Docker Hub username
- DOCKERHUB_TOKEN: Paste your Docker Hub access token
- After adding all secrets, you should see all 3 listed in the "Actions secrets" list
Testing the Workflow
To test your automated publishing workflow:
- In your GitHub repository, click the "Actions" tab
- Find the "Publish Package" workflow in the left sidebar
- Click the "Run workflow" button
- Select the "main" branch from the branch dropdown
- Click the green "Run workflow" button
- Monitor the progress and results in the Actions tab
Note for 2FA Users: If you have Two-Factor Authentication enabled on your npm account, you must either:
- Use an "Automation" type token (recommended)
- Change 2FA settings to "Authorization only" (not recommended)
- Manually publish packages (not automated)
❗ Troubleshooting
If you encounter integration issues:
- 🔧 Use the local build method with absolute path to the JS file
- 📝 Verify file permissions:
chmod +x dist/index.js
- 🐳 Try Docker as an alternative
- 📚 Consult Cursor's documentation for latest MCP integration methods
📄 License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
🔗 Source Code
Based on modelcontextprotocol/servers and maintained at zengwenliang416/mcp-server-sequential-thinking.