Sequential Thinking MCP Server - LangGPT Demo
Note: This is a demonstration version by LangGPT, based on the original Sequential Thinking MCP Server from Anthropic's Model Context Protocol. This demo showcases how to extend and publish MCP servers for the Claude ecosystem.
An MCP server implementation that provides a tool for dynamic and reflective problem-solving through a structured thinking process. This server enables Claude to break down complex problems into manageable, trackable steps with support for revision and branching.
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 stepnextThoughtNeeded(boolean): Whether another thought step is neededthoughtNumber(integer): Current thought numbertotalThoughts(integer): Estimated total thoughts neededisRevision(boolean, optional): Whether this revises previous thinkingrevisesThought(integer, optional): Which thought is being reconsideredbranchFromThought(integer, optional): Branching point thought numberbranchId(string, optional): Branch identifierneedsMoreThoughts(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
Quick Start
Installation via NPM (Recommended)
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp"]
}
}
}
Installation via Docker
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"--rm",
"-i",
"langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp"
]
}
}
}
After adding the configuration, restart Claude Desktop and try asking:
Please use the sequential thinking tool to analyze this complex problem step by step.
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
mcpkey is not needed in the.vscode/mcp.jsonfile.
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 .
Local Development and Configuration
Prerequisites
- Node.js (version 18 or higher)
- npm (usually installed with Node.js)
Local Build Steps
-
Install dependencies
npm install -
Build project
npm run buildThis compiles TypeScript code to the
dist/directory. -
Development mode
npm run watchThis starts watch mode for automatic recompilation.
Local Source Configuration for Claude Desktop
If you want to use this MCP server from local source code, follow these steps:
-
Ensure project is built
npm run build -
Locate Claude Desktop config file
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
- macOS:
-
Add local configuration
{ "mcpServers": { "sequential-thinking": { "command": "node", "args": ["/your/absolute/path/to/project/dist/index.js"], "env": { "DISABLE_THOUGHT_LOGGING": "false" } } } }Important: Replace
/your/absolute/path/to/project/dist/index.jswith your actual project path! -
Restart Claude Desktop
After saving the config file, restart the Claude Desktop application.
-
Test the tool
Test in Claude with something like:
Please use the sequential thinking tool to analyze a complex problem
Tool Features
This sequential thinking tool enables Claude to:
- 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
Environment Variables
DISABLE_THOUGHT_LOGGING=true- Disable console output of thinking process
Publishing
This section provides guidance for developers who want to publish their own version of this MCP server.
Prerequisites
- Node.js (version 18 or higher)
- npm account for NPM publishing
- Docker Hub account for Docker publishing (optional)
- GitHub account for source code hosting
Prepare for Publishing
-
Update package.json
Modify the package configuration for your own project:
{ "name": "@langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp", "version": "1.0.0", "description": "MCP server for sequential thinking and problem solving", "author": "LangGPT <contact@langgpt.dev>", "homepage": "https://github.com/langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp", "bugs": "https://github.com/langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp/issues", "repository": { "type": "git", "url": "git+https://github.com/langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp.git" }, "keywords": [ "mcp", "model-context-protocol", "claude", "thinking", "ai-tools" ] } -
Ensure all files are ready
npm install npm run build
Publishing to NPM
-
Login to NPM
npm login -
Publish the package
npm publish --access public -
Version management
# Update version and republish npm version patch # 1.0.0 -> 1.0.1 npm publish
Publishing to Docker Hub
-
Build Docker image
docker build -t langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp . -
Test the image
docker run --rm -i langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp -
Push to Docker Hub
docker login docker push langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp # Also push with version tag docker tag langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp:1.0.0 docker push langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp:1.0.0
Publishing to GitHub
-
Initialize repository
git init git add . git commit -m "Initial commit: Sequential thinking MCP server" -
Push to GitHub
git remote add origin https://github.com/langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp.git git push -u origin main -
Create GitHub Release
- Go to your repository on GitHub
- Click "Releases" → "Create a new release"
- Add tag (e.g., v1.0.0) and release notes
Usage After Publishing
Once published, users can install and use your MCP server in the following ways:
NPM Installation
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp"]
}
}
}
Docker Installation
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"--rm",
"-i",
"langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp"
]
}
}
}
GitHub Installation
{
"mcpServers": {
"sequential-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"https://github.com/langgpt/sequential-thinking-mcp#main"
]
}
}
}
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.