Applies structured reasoning patterns that produce concise, auditable output artifacts. Use when the user asks to think through a problem, compare options, plan work, calculate precisely, verify a conclusion, or synthesize multiple inputs.
Use a named pattern when visible structure helps more than a plain answer.
Goal: produce a short artifact the user can inspect. Do not expose raw internal reasoning.
Use the lightest pattern that removes ambiguity.
| Need | Pattern | Aliases |
|---|---|---|
| Trace a sequence | Chain of Thought | cot, chain |
| Break a question apart | Atomic Thought | aot, atomic |
| Compare options | Tree of Thoughts | tot, tree |
| Plan or outline | Skeleton of Thought | sot, skeleton |
| Compute exactly | Program of Thoughts | pot, program |
| Verify a result | Self-Consistency | sc, |
verify| Merge findings | Graph of Thoughts | got, graph |
Default order when the user does not choose: program, verify, skeleton, tree, atomic, graph, chain.
self-consistency when verification matters.Reference: references/patterns.md