---
title: Cognitive Style
description: Define how an agent thinks — phase-based reasoning strategies.
---

**Cognitive Style** replaces rigid reasoning loop selection with a phase-based thinking strategy chain. Instead of picking a single strategy ("react" or "chain-of-thought"), you define multiple phases that transition based on conditions.

## Structure

```go
type Style struct {
    Phases              []Phase
    DepthPreference     float64 // 0.0 = shallow, 1.0 = deep
    FocusPreference     float64 // 0.0 = broad, 1.0 = narrow
    ReflectionFrequency float64 // how often to self-reflect
}
```

## Phases

A phase represents one stage in a cognitive strategy chain:

```go
type Phase struct {
    Strategy   Strategy
    MaxSteps   int
    Transition TransitionCondition
}
```

### Strategies

| Strategy | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `analytical` | Structured, step-by-step analysis |
| `creative` | Exploratory, lateral thinking |
| `methodical` | Systematic, exhaustive approach |
| `reactive` | Quick response, minimal deliberation |
| `reflective` | Self-evaluating, iterative refinement |
| `collaborative` | Seeks input, considers multiple perspectives |

### Transition conditions

| Condition | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| `after_steps` | Transition after `MaxSteps` reasoning steps |
| `on_stuck` | Transition when progress stalls |
| `on_plan_complete` | Transition when the current plan is finished |
| `on_error` | Transition when an error occurs |

## Multi-phase example

A three-phase cognitive style for a code reviewer:

```go
cognitive.Style{
    Phases: []cognitive.Phase{
        {
            Strategy:   cognitive.StrategyAnalytical,
            MaxSteps:   5,
            Transition: cognitive.TransitionAfterSteps,
        },
        {
            Strategy:   cognitive.StrategyReflective,
            MaxSteps:   3,
            Transition: cognitive.TransitionAfterSteps,
        },
        {
            Strategy:   cognitive.StrategyMethodical,
            MaxSteps:   10,
            Transition: cognitive.TransitionOnPlanComplete,
        },
    },
    DepthPreference:     0.8,
    FocusPreference:     0.6,
    ReflectionFrequency: 0.5,
}
```

This style starts with analytical examination, reflects on initial findings, then methodically addresses each issue.

## Embedding in a persona

Cognitive style is a value object embedded directly in the persona:

```go
persona := &persona.Persona{
    CognitiveStyle: cognitive.Style{
        Phases: []cognitive.Phase{
            {Strategy: cognitive.StrategyAnalytical},
        },
    },
}
```