Route to cognitive mode. Execute structured analysis. Produce formatted output.
| Causal | How do we execute? | Plan with actions | Known process, operational workflow | | Abductive | Why did this happen? | Diagnosis with hypotheses | Single anomaly, diagnosis needed | | Inductive | What pattern exists? | Rules or assessment | Multiple observations, evaluation |
| Analogical | How is this like that? | Adaptation plan | Novel situation, transfer needed | | Dialectical | How do we resolve this? | Synthesis or decision | Conflicting positions, choosing options | | Counterfactual | What if we had/do X? | Comparison with verdict | Decision evaluation, scenarios |
Reasons through problems using six cognitive modes. Applies causal (execute goals), abductive (explain observations), inductive (find patterns), analogical (transfer from similar), dialectical (resolve tensions), and counterfactual (evaluate alternatives) thinking. Use when planning, diagnosing, finding patterns, evaluating trade-offs, or exploring what-ifs. Triggers on "why did", "what if", "how should", "analyze this", "figure out". Source: bellabe/lean-os.