ThoughtMCP

# Architecture Overview ThoughtMCP implements a sophisticated cognitive architecture inspired by neuroscience and cognitive psychology. This section provides technical details for developers and researchers who want to understand how the system works. ## Quick Navigation ### 🏗️ System Architecture - **[Overview](overview.md)** - High-level system design - **[Cognitive Components](cognitive-components.md)** - Core processing modules - **[Data Flow](data-flow.md)** - How information flows through the system - **[Integration Patterns](integration-patterns.md)** - How components work together ### 🧠 Cognitive Science Foundation - **[Dual-Process Theory](dual-process-theory.md)** - System 1 and System 2 thinking - **[Memory Systems](memory-systems.md)** - Episodic and semantic memory - **[Emotional Processing](emotional-processing.md)** - Somatic markers and affect - **[Metacognition](metacognition.md)** - Self-monitoring and bias detection ### ⚙️ Technical Implementation - **[Neural Processing](neural-processing.md)** - Stochastic and predictive processing - **[Performance Architecture](performance.md)** - Optimization and scaling - **[Persistence Layer](persistence.md)** - Memory storage and retrieval - **[Error Handling](error-handling.md)** - Robust failure management ### 🔬 Research Background - **[Cognitive Science Foundations](../research/cognitive-science-background.md)** - Academic background - **[Algorithm Details](../research/algorithms.md)** - Mathematical foundations - **[Benchmarks](../research/benchmarks.md)** - Performance validation ## Architecture Principles ### 1. Biological Inspiration ThoughtMCP is designed to mimic human cognitive processes: - **Hierarchical Processing**: Multiple layers like the human brain - **Dual-Process Thinking**: Fast intuitive and slow deliberative systems - **Memory Consolidation**: Transfer from episodic to semantic memory - **Emotional Modulation**: Emotions influence reasoning like in humans - **Stochastic Processing**: Neural noise enhances signal detection ### 2. Modular Design The system is built with loosely coupled, highly cohesive modules: ``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ MCP Server Interface │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Cognitive Orchestrator │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Sensory │ Working │ Executive │ Metacognitive │ │ Processing │ Memory │ Processing │ Monitoring │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Dual-Process Controller │ Emotional │ Predictive │ │ (System 1 & 2) │ Processing │ Processing │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Memory Systems │ Stochastic │ Performance │ │ (Episodic & Semantic) │ Processing │ Monitoring │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Persistence Layer │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ### 3. Configurable Behavior Every aspect of cognition can be tuned: - **Processing Modes**: Intuitive, deliberative, creative, analytical - **Memory Parameters**: Capacity, decay rates, consolidation intervals - **Emotional Sensitivity**: How much emotions influence decisions - **Stochastic Levels**: Amount of neural noise and variability - **Performance Tuning**: Speed vs. quality trade-offs ### 4. Scalable Performance The architecture supports different deployment scenarios: - **Development**: Single-process, file-based storage - **Production**: Multi-process, database storage - **Distributed**: Microservices with shared memory systems - **Edge**: Lightweight mode with reduced capabilities ## Core Components ### Cognitive Orchestrator The main coordinator that manages the thinking process: ```typescript class CognitiveOrchestrator { async think(input: string, context: Context): Promise<Thought> { // 1. Sensory processing and attention const sensoryData = await this.sensoryProcessor.process(input); // 2. Memory retrieval and integration const memories = await this.memorySystem.retrieve(sensoryData); // 3. Working memory integration const workingState = this.workingMemory.integrate(sensoryData, memories); // 4. Emotional assessment const emotionalContext = this.emotionalProcessor.assess(workingState); // 5. Dual-process reasoning const reasoning = await this.dualProcessController.process(workingState); // 6. Metacognitive monitoring const monitored = this.metacognition.monitor(reasoning); // 7. Memory consolidation await this.memorySystem.consolidate(input, monitored, context); return monitored; } } ``` ### Processing Layers #### Layer 1: Sensory Processing - **Input Normalization**: Tokenization and semantic chunking - **Attention Filtering**: Focus on relevant information - **Pattern Detection**: Identify key patterns and structures - **Salience Computation**: Determine importance of different elements #### Layer 2: Working Memory - **Capacity Management**: Limited capacity like human working memory - **Information Chunking**: Group related information together - **Rehearsal Mechanisms**: Prevent important information from decaying - **Long-term Memory Binding**: Connect with stored knowledge #### Layer 3: Executive Processing - **Strategy Selection**: Choose appropriate reasoning approach - **Process Coordination**: Manage multiple cognitive processes - **Goal Management**: Track objectives and sub-goals - **Resource Allocation**: Distribute cognitive resources efficiently ### Memory Architecture #### Episodic Memory Stores specific experiences with temporal and contextual information: ```typescript interface EpisodicMemory { id: string; content: string; timestamp: number; context: Context; emotional_valence: number; importance: number; access_count: number; last_accessed: number; } ``` #### Semantic Memory Stores general knowledge and concepts: ```typescript interface SemanticConcept { id: string; concept: string; embedding: Float32Array; associations: string[]; strength: number; last_updated: number; source_episodes: string[]; } ``` #### Consolidation Process Transfers patterns from episodic to semantic memory: 1. **Pattern Detection**: Identify recurring themes across episodes 2. **Abstraction**: Extract general principles from specific cases 3. **Integration**: Merge with existing semantic knowledge 4. **Pruning**: Remove redundant episodic memories ### Dual-Process System #### System 1 (Intuitive) - **Pattern Matching**: Rapid recognition of familiar patterns - **Heuristic Processing**: Use mental shortcuts for quick decisions - **Emotional Integration**: Incorporate gut feelings and emotions - **Parallel Processing**: Handle multiple streams simultaneously #### System 2 (Deliberative) - **Sequential Reasoning**: Step-by-step logical analysis - **Working Memory Intensive**: Use limited capacity for complex reasoning - **Rule-Based Processing**: Apply explicit rules and procedures - **Error Checking**: Monitor and correct System 1 outputs #### Conflict Resolution When System 1 and System 2 disagree: 1. **Confidence Assessment**: Evaluate confidence of each system 2. **Context Evaluation**: Consider situational factors 3. **Weighted Integration**: Combine outputs based on reliability 4. **Metacognitive Override**: Allow higher-level monitoring to decide ## Performance Characteristics ### Latency Targets - **Intuitive Mode**: 50-200ms - **Balanced Mode**: 100-500ms - **Deliberative Mode**: 200-1000ms - **Memory Operations**: 10-100ms ### Memory Usage - **Base System**: ~500MB - **Working Memory**: ~100MB - **Episodic Memory**: ~1GB (10,000 memories) - **Semantic Memory**: ~500MB (5,000 concepts) ### Scalability - **Concurrent Sessions**: 100+ with proper resource management - **Memory Growth**: Linear with usage, managed by consolidation - **Processing Load**: Scales with complexity and depth settings ## Quality Assurance ### Testing Strategy - **Unit Tests**: Each cognitive component tested in isolation - **Integration Tests**: Full cognitive pipeline validation - **Performance Tests**: Latency and memory usage benchmarks - **Bias Tests**: Detection and mitigation of reasoning biases - **Compliance Tests**: MCP protocol adherence ### Monitoring and Observability - **Performance Metrics**: Response times, memory usage, error rates - **Cognitive Metrics**: Reasoning quality, confidence levels, bias detection - **System Health**: Component status, resource utilization - **User Experience**: Session success rates, satisfaction metrics ## Configuration and Tuning ### Development Configuration Optimized for experimentation and debugging: ```bash COGNITIVE_DEFAULT_MODE=balanced COGNITIVE_ENABLE_EMOTION=true COGNITIVE_ENABLE_METACOGNITION=true COGNITIVE_TEMPERATURE=0.7 LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG ``` ### Production Configuration Optimized for performance and reliability: ```bash COGNITIVE_DEFAULT_MODE=balanced COGNITIVE_ENABLE_EMOTION=true COGNITIVE_ENABLE_METACOGNITION=false # Disable for speed COGNITIVE_TEMPERATURE=0.5 COGNITIVE_TIMEOUT_MS=10000 LOG_LEVEL=INFO ``` ### Research Configuration Optimized for maximum cognitive capability: ```bash COGNITIVE_DEFAULT_MODE=deliberative COGNITIVE_ENABLE_EMOTION=true COGNITIVE_ENABLE_METACOGNITION=true COGNITIVE_TEMPERATURE=0.8 COGNITIVE_MAX_DEPTH=20 LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG ``` ## Future Enhancements ### Planned Features - **Quantum-Inspired Processing**: Superposition of thought states - **Neuroplasticity Simulation**: Adaptive learning and reorganization - **Social Cognition**: Multi-agent reasoning and theory of mind - **Embodied Cognition**: Integration with sensorimotor systems ### Research Directions - **Consciousness Modeling**: Self-awareness and subjective experience - **Creative Cognition**: Enhanced innovation and artistic capabilities - **Emotional Intelligence**: Deeper understanding of human emotions - **Collective Intelligence**: Distributed cognitive architectures --- _Ready to dive deeper? Start with [Cognitive Components](cognitive-components.md) for detailed technical information._