MCP server for applying a Claude Shannon-inspired problem-solving pattern
npm install server-shannon-thinkingjson
{
"mcpServers": {
"shannon-thinking": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"server-shannon-thinking@latest"
]
}
}
}
`
Usage
The server provides a single tool named shannonthinking that structures problem-solving thoughts according to Shannon's methodology.
Each thought must include:
- The actual thought content
- Type (problem_definition/constraints/model/proof/implementation)
- Thought number and total thoughts estimate
- Confidence level (uncertainty: 0-1)
- Dependencies on previous thoughts
- Explicit assumptions
- Whether another thought step is needed
Additional capabilities:
- Revision: Thoughts can revise earlier steps as understanding evolves
- Recheck: Mark steps that need re-examination with new information
- Experimental Validation: Support for empirical testing alongside formal proofs
- Implementation Notes: Practical constraints and proposed solutions
$3
`typescript
const thought = {
thought: "The core problem can be defined as an information flow optimization",
thoughtType: "problem_definition",
thoughtNumber: 1,
totalThoughts: 5,
uncertainty: 0.2,
dependencies: [],
assumptions: ["System has finite capacity", "Information flow is continuous"],
nextThoughtNeeded: true,
// Optional: Mark as revision of earlier definition
isRevision: false,
// Optional: Indicate step needs recheck
recheckStep: {
stepToRecheck: "constraints",
reason: "New capacity limitations discovered",
newInformation: "System shows non-linear scaling"
}
};
// Use with MCP client
const result = await client.callTool("shannonthinking", thought);
`
Features
- Iterative Problem-Solving: Supports revisions and rechecks as understanding evolves
- Flexible Validation: Combines formal proofs with experimental validation
- Dependency Tracking: Explicitly tracks how thoughts build upon previous ones
- Assumption Management: Requires clear documentation of assumptions
- Confidence Levels: Quantifies uncertainty in each step
- Rich Feedback: Formatted console output with color-coding, symbols, and validation results
Development
`bash
Install dependencies
npm install
Build
npm run build
Run tests
npm test
Watch mode during development
npm run watch
`
Tool Schema
The tool accepts thoughts with the following structure:
`typescript
interface ShannonThought {
thought: string;
thoughtType: "problem_definition" | "constraints" | "model" | "proof" | "implementation";
thoughtNumber: number;
totalThoughts: number;
uncertainty: number; // 0-1
dependencies: number[];
assumptions: string[];
nextThoughtNeeded: boolean;
// Optional revision fields
isRevision?: boolean;
revisesThought?: number;
// Optional recheck field
recheckStep?: {
stepToRecheck: ThoughtType;
reason: string;
newInformation?: string;
};
// Optional validation fields
proofElements?: {
hypothesis: string;
validation: string;
};
experimentalElements?: {
testDescription: string;
results: string;
confidence: number; // 0-1
limitations: string[];
};
// Optional implementation fields
implementationNotes?: {
practicalConstraints: string[];
proposedSolution: string;
};
}
``