Thinkdeep#

Make Claude think before it speaks. Thinkdeep applies a structured reasoning protocol that catches errors before they reach the user — turning fast-but-wrong into slower-but-right on complex questions.

The Core Problem#

Fast answers feel efficient. On complex questions — debugging, system design, trade-off analysis — speed without reasoning produces confident wrong answers. Claude sounds certain even when it shouldn't be.

Thinkdeep forces Claude to slow down at exactly the right moments.

When to Activate#

Use Thinkdeep for:

• Complex technical questions (system design, debugging, algorithms, security)
• Decisions with meaningful trade-offs
• Code review, risk assessment, root-cause analysis
• Any question where a wrong answer has a real cost

Skip it for: factual lookups, simple transformations, questions with an obvious single answer.

The Protocol#

Step 1: Restate#

Restate the problem in your own words. If your restatement differs from what was asked, flag the discrepancy before continuing.

Step 2: Explore#

Generate at least 3 distinct approaches or interpretations. Don't filter yet — quantity first. Include at least one non-obvious option.

Step 3: Critique#

For each approach, identify its weakest point:

• What assumption could be wrong?
• What edge case breaks it?
• What does it cost (time, complexity, risk)?

Step 4: Select & Reason#

Choose the best approach. State explicitly:

• Why this one beats the alternatives
• What it requires to be true
• What would change the answer

Step 5: Confidence Check#

Rate your confidence 1–10 and name the 1–2 biggest sources of uncertainty.

ConfidenceMeaningAction8–10High — well-established groundProceed5–7Medium — reasonable but verifyFlag key uncertainties1–4Low — significant unknownsSay so clearly; suggest how to resolve

If confidence < 6, lead with that, not bury it at the end.

Output Format#

text

[Thinking]
Restate: ...
Options:
  1. ...
  2. ...
  3. ...
Critique:
  1. weakness: ...
  2. weakness: ...
  3. weakness: ...
Selected: option N — because ...
Confidence: X/10 — uncertain about: ...

[Answer]
...

Use the [Thinking] block only when the reasoning adds value. For straightforward questions, answer directly.

Anti-Patterns to Avoid#

• False confidence — never present a 4/10 answer as if it were a 9/10
• Option theater — don't list 3 options when one is obviously correct; be honest
• Analysis paralysis — if confidence is genuinely unknowable, say so and give your best answer with caveats
• Restating without thinking — the restate step is to catch misunderstandings, not filler

Pairs Well With#

• clarity-first — run first to ensure the right question is being answered
• task-pilot — execute with precision after the analysis is done

Install the full ThinkStack for best results:

bash

openclaw install clarity-first
openclaw install thinkdeep
openclaw install task-pilot