Apply Tree of Thought reasoning to the user's query through four phases.
Query
$ARGUMENTS
Phase 1: Decomposition
Break the query into core components with dependencies.
- Identify a small set of fundamental components.
- For each: describe what it involves, why it has its position in the sequence, and what it depends on.
- Map dependencies between components (which must resolve before others can start).
- Check that the components together cover the query: every one must be resolved for the query to be, and no two cover the same ground.
Phase 2: Solution Generation
For each component, generate these distinct approaches:
- A — Direct/Conventional: straightforward, proven, minimal complexity.
- B — Creative/Unconventional: novel angle, handles edge cases, more flexible.
- C — Systematic/Comprehensive: thorough coverage, well-documented, maintainable.
The approaches for a component are alternatives: any one of them resolves it, and Phase 3 keeps one. Assign each a viability score (0.0-1.0) with brief rationale.
Phase 3: Evaluation & Selection
Score each approach against weighted criteria:
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Feasibility | 40% |
| Effectiveness | 35% |
| Risk (lower=better) | 25% |
Present scores in a comparison table per component. Select the best approach for each with a one-line rationale.
When no approach for a component scores well enough to act on, go back: generate new approaches for it in Phase 2, or cut it differently in Phase 1.
Phase 4: Synthesis
- Integrate selected approaches into a coherent solution path with specific implementation steps per component.
- Check that the selected approaches work together: name what passes between dependent components, and where one approach undoes another, return to Phase 3 for that component.
- Surface key insights: patterns recognized, trade-offs made, unexpected findings.
- Assess overall confidence (High/Medium/Low with percentage) noting strongest elements and areas of uncertainty.
- Note a couple of alternative paths worth considering if the primary path encounters issues.
Summary
Conclude with:
- Recommended Solution: one-paragraph synthesis.
- Next Steps: a few immediate actions.
- Success Metrics: how to validate the solution works.