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.
| Confidence | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 | High — well-established ground | Proceed |
| 5–7 | Medium — reasonable but verify | Flag key uncertainties |
| 1–4 | Low — significant unknowns | Say so clearly; suggest how to resolve |
If confidence < 6, lead with that, not bury it at the end.
Output Format
[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 answeredtask-pilot— execute with precision after the analysis is done
Install the full ThinkStack for best results:
openclaw install clarity-first
openclaw install thinkdeep
openclaw install task-pilot