What is Claude's Extended Thinking feature?
Claude the AI chatbot provides Extended Thinking, a feature that encourages deeper and more complex reasoning and multi-faceted thinking than normal mode. This makes it strong for solving difficult problems and planning complex projects beyond simple Q&A. It is ideal for tasks that require multi-layered analysis and step-by-step reasoning, such as mathematical proofs, program design considerations, logical puzzles, and business strategy.
How to enable Extended Thinking
To use Extended Thinking in Claude, set it up using the steps below.
- Open Settings from the top-right menu in the chat window.
- In Modes, select Extended Thinking.
- Save and return to the chat; responses will automatically start in Extended Thinking mode.
On some platforms, mode switching can be chosen at the start of the chat, and you can switch by entering a command such as ‘/mode extended’.
Examples of tasks where Extended Thinking is effective
- Mathematical problems and proofs: Solve with careful explanations of multi-step calculations and the logical progression.
- Logic puzzles and riddles: Lead to the correct answer through explicit hints about the reasoning steps and the conditions.
