Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: 2025-11-22
Status: Initial Draft
This document provides detailed descriptions of all 19 cognitive thinking patterns available in the Baton Framework. Each pattern defines a specific thinking methodology that guides how agents approach problems, make decisions, and communicate.
Patterns are organized by thinking style, though many patterns span multiple categories:
- Analytical & Logical: Analytical, Critical, Computational, Systematic
- Strategic & Planning: Strategic, Systems, Meta-Cognitive
- Creative & Innovative: Creative Problem Solving, Lateral, Design
- Collaborative & Human-Centered: Collaborative, Empathetic, Design
- Adaptive & Learning: Adaptive, Agile, Experimental, Growth Mindset, Resilience
- Efficiency & Optimization: Lean, Computational
- Ethical & Responsible: Ethical, Empathetic
Description: Flexible, responsive, learning-oriented approach that adapts to changing conditions.
Key Characteristics:
- Responds dynamically to new information
- Adjusts strategies based on feedback
- Learns from experience and adapts approaches
- Handles uncertainty and ambiguity
Best For:
- Rapidly changing environments
- Situations requiring flexibility
- Learning and improvement tasks
- Adaptive problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.6-0.8 (balanced creativity and structure)
File: src/core/cognitive/adaptive-thinking.yml
Description: Iterative, incremental, responsive to change - inspired by Agile software development.
Key Characteristics:
- Iterative approach to problem-solving
- Incremental progress and delivery
- Responsive to feedback and change
- Focus on working solutions over perfect plans
Best For:
- Software development workflows
- Iterative project management
- Rapid prototyping
- Continuous improvement
Temperature: Typically 0.5-0.7 (balanced)
File: src/core/cognitive/agile-thinking.yml
Description: Systematic problem decomposition and logical reasoning.
Key Characteristics:
- Breaks down complex problems into components
- Evidence-based reasoning
- Methodical, structured approach
- Logical consistency and validation
Best For:
- Complex problem analysis
- Research and investigation
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Technical problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.3 (low, for precision)
File: src/core/cognitive/analytical-thinking.yml
Description: Team-oriented, consensus-building, human-centered approach.
Key Characteristics:
- Emphasizes teamwork and collaboration
- Builds consensus and alignment
- Human-centered decision making
- Communication and relationship building
Best For:
- Team coordination tasks
- Stakeholder management
- Consensus building
- Collaborative problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.6-0.7 (warm, human-focused)
File: src/core/cognitive/collaborative-thinking.yml
Description: Algorithmic, data-driven, optimization-focused thinking.
Key Characteristics:
- Algorithmic problem decomposition
- Data-driven decision making
- Optimization and efficiency focus
- Systematic computation and analysis
Best For:
- Algorithm design and optimization
- Data processing and analysis
- Performance optimization
- Computational problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.3-0.4 (low, for precision)
File: src/core/cognitive/computational-thinking.yml
Description: Innovative, divergent, solution-oriented thinking.
Key Characteristics:
- Generates novel ideas and solutions
- Divergent thinking approaches
- Explores multiple possibilities
- Innovative problem-solving
Best For:
- Brainstorming and ideation
- Creative design tasks
- Innovation challenges
- Novel solution generation
Temperature: Typically 0.8-0.9 (high, for creativity)
File: src/core/cognitive/creative-problem-solving.yml
Description: Evidence-based evaluation, logical reasoning, assumption challenging.
Key Characteristics:
- Questions assumptions and biases
- Evidence-based evaluation
- Logical reasoning and analysis
- Objective, skeptical approach
Best For:
- Quality assurance and review
- Challenging unrealistic ideas
- Evidence-based decision making
- Logical validation
Temperature: Typically 0.4 (low, for objectivity)
File: src/core/cognitive/critical-thinking.yml
Description: User-centered, empathetic, iterative problem-solving.
Key Characteristics:
- User-centered approach
- Empathetic understanding of needs
- Iterative prototyping and testing
- Human-focused solutions
Best For:
- User experience design
- Product design
- Human-centered problem-solving
- Design and prototyping
Temperature: Typically 0.7-0.8 (warm, creative)
File: src/core/cognitive/design-thinking.yml
Description: Human-focused, understanding-driven, relationship-oriented.
Key Characteristics:
- Understands human emotions and needs
- Relationship and connection focused
- Compassionate decision making
- Human-centered approach
Best For:
- User support and assistance
- Human interaction tasks
- Relationship building
- Empathetic communication
Temperature: Typically 0.7-0.8 (warm)
File: src/core/cognitive/empathetic-thinking.yml
Description: Values-based, responsible, impact-conscious decision making.
Key Characteristics:
- Considers ethical implications
- Values-based decision making
- Responsible and accountable
- Impact-conscious approach
Best For:
- Ethical decision making
- Responsible AI development
- Impact assessment
- Values-aligned choices
Temperature: Typically 0.5-0.6 (balanced)
File: src/core/cognitive/ethical-thinking.yml
Description: Hypothesis-driven, test-oriented, learning-focused.
Key Characteristics:
- Formulates and tests hypotheses
- Experimentation and validation
- Learning from results
- Scientific method approach
Best For:
- Research and experimentation
- Hypothesis testing
- Learning and discovery
- Scientific problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.6-0.7 (balanced)
File: src/core/cognitive/experimental-thinking.yml
Description: Learning-oriented, resilience-focused, improvement-driven.
Key Characteristics:
- Embraces challenges and learning
- Resilience and persistence
- Continuous improvement focus
- Growth and development oriented
Best For:
- Learning and development tasks
- Overcoming challenges
- Continuous improvement
- Skill development
Temperature: Typically 0.6-0.7 (positive, growth-focused)
File: src/core/cognitive/growth-mindset.yml
Description: Non-linear, creative, perspective-shifting problem-solving.
Key Characteristics:
- Non-linear thinking approaches
- Creative perspective shifts
- Unconventional solutions
- Breaks traditional patterns
Best For:
- Creative problem-solving
- Innovation challenges
- Breaking out of ruts
- Novel approaches
Temperature: Typically 0.8-0.9 (high, for creativity)
File: src/core/cognitive/lateral-thinking.yml
Description: Efficiency-focused, waste-elimination, value-optimization.
Key Characteristics:
- Eliminates waste and inefficiency
- Focuses on value delivery
- Optimizes processes
- Streamlined approaches
Best For:
- Process optimization
- Efficiency improvements
- Waste reduction
- Value maximization
Temperature: Typically 0.4-0.5 (focused, efficient)
File: src/core/cognitive/lean-thinking.yml
Description: Self-aware, reflective, learning-about-learning.
Key Characteristics:
- Self-awareness and reflection
- Monitors own thinking processes
- Learns about learning
- Evaluates effectiveness
Best For:
- Self-improvement and learning
- Process optimization
- Effectiveness evaluation
- Reflective practice
Temperature: Typically 0.6-0.7 (reflective)
File: src/core/cognitive/meta-cognitive.yml
Description: Adaptability-focused, recovery-oriented, stress-management.
Key Characteristics:
- Handles stress and adversity
- Recovers from setbacks
- Adapts to challenges
- Maintains effectiveness under pressure
Best For:
- Handling difficult situations
- Recovery from failures
- Stress management
- Persistence and resilience
Temperature: Typically 0.5-0.6 (balanced, resilient)
File: src/core/cognitive/resilience-thinking.yml
Description: Long-term planning and systems-oriented decision making.
Key Characteristics:
- Long-term perspective
- Systems-oriented approach
- Strategic planning and vision
- Comprehensive strategy development
Best For:
- Strategic planning
- Long-term decision making
- Business strategy
- Vision and roadmap development
Temperature: Typically 0.5 (balanced, strategic)
File: src/core/cognitive/strategic-thinking.yml
Description: Methodical, structured, process-oriented thinking.
Key Characteristics:
- Methodical and structured
- Process-oriented approach
- Systematic execution
- Organized and disciplined
Best For:
- Structured problem-solving
- Process execution
- Methodical tasks
- Organized workflows
Temperature: Typically 0.3-0.4 (low, for structure)
File: src/core/cognitive/systematic-approach.yml
Description: Holistic, interconnected, feedback-loop-aware reasoning.
Key Characteristics:
- Views problems as interconnected systems
- Considers ripple effects and feedback loops
- Holistic understanding
- Systems dynamics awareness
Best For:
- Complex system analysis
- Understanding interconnections
- System-wide problem-solving
- Holistic problem-solving
Temperature: Typically 0.5-0.6 (balanced, systems-focused)
File: src/core/cognitive/systems-thinking.yml
When selecting patterns for an agent, consider:
- Agent Purpose: What is the agent's primary role?
- Task Complexity: Simple tasks may need fewer patterns, complex tasks may need more
- Thinking Style: Match patterns to the type of thinking required
- Complementary Patterns: Combine patterns that work well together
- Temperature Balance: Mix high and low temperature patterns appropriately
See Using Patterns for detailed guidance on pattern selection and configuration.
Previous: 0. Overview - Introduction to cognitive patterns
Next: 2. Using Patterns - How to select and configure patterns