analysis-mcp

A FastMCP server for critical thinking and multi-perspective analysis of current affairs.

Uses the LLM-Orchestrator Pattern: Tools return structured prompts for the calling LLM to execute, enabling iterative complexity building through prompt chaining.

🧠 Core Concept: Prompt Chaining for Complexity

Instead of doing one analysis, chain operations to build increasingly sophisticated insights:

1. deconstruct_claim("AI will replace jobs")
   → Get structured breakdown
   
2. chain_analysis(previous_output, "extract_assumptions")
   → Find hidden assumptions in your analysis
   
3. chain_analysis(previous_output, "identify_contradictions")
   → Spot tensions in the argument
   
4. chain_analysis(previous_output, "steelman_argument")
   → Build strongest version of the claim
   
5. chain_analysis(previous_output, "suggest_next_step")
   → Get recommendation for deeper analysis

Each step builds on the last, creating layered, sophisticated thinking.

Features

Core Analytical Tools:

• deconstruct_claim - Break down claims into components
• compare_positions - Multi-perspective ideological analysis
• apply_lens - Analyze through 9 frameworks (historical, economic, etc.)
• get_trace - Retrieve previous analysis plans

🔗 Prompt Chaining Tools (NEW):

• apply_operation - Apply 15+ analytical operations to any content
• chain_analysis - Chain operations on previous LLM outputs
• list_available_operations - Browse all available operations

15+ Analytical Operations:

Deconstructive:

• extract_assumptions - Find implicit/explicit assumptions
• identify_contradictions - Spot logical tensions
• find_fallacies - Detect rhetorical manipulation

Constructive:

• steelman_argument - Build strongest version
• find_analogies - Identify relevant precedents
• extract_principles - Derive universal patterns

Synthetic:

• synthesize_perspectives - Merge viewpoints
• elevate_abstraction - Raise to higher concepts
• ground_in_specifics - Add concrete examples

Meta-analytical:

• identify_gaps - Find missing elements
• check_coherence - Verify logical consistency
• suggest_next_step - Recommend next operation

Transformative:

• convert_to_dialogue - Reframe as Socratic dialogue
• extract_counterfactuals - Generate what-if scenarios
• map_dependencies - Chart logical dependencies

Quick Start with Claude Desktop

1. Install via uvx (recommended):

Edit your Claude Desktop config file:

• MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Add this to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "analysis-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "git+https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/analysis_mcp",
        "analysis-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

2. Restart Claude Desktop

3. Verify installation: Look for the 🔌 icon in Claude Desktop showing the analysis-mcp server is connected

Alternative: Local Development Installation

If you want to modify the code or run it locally:

# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/analysis_mcp.git
cd analysis_mcp

# Create virtual environment
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate

# Install in editable mode
pip install -e ".[dev]"

# Run tests
pytest -v

# Run server directly (for testing)
python -m analysis_mcp.server

For local development in Claude Desktop, update your config to point to the local path:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "analysis-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "analysis_mcp.server"
      ],
      "cwd": "/absolute/path/to/analysis_mcp",
      "env": {
        "PYTHONPATH": "/absolute/path/to/analysis_mcp/src"
      }
    }
  }
}

🔄 Example Workflows

Workflow 1: Deep Claim Analysis

1. "Analyze: AI will replace all jobs in 10 years"
   → deconstruct_claim()
   → Get: assumptions, evidence, implications

2. "Now extract the assumptions from that analysis"
   → chain_analysis(prev, "extract_assumptions")
   → Get: implicit assumptions revealed

3. "Find contradictions in those assumptions"
   → chain_analysis(prev, "identify_contradictions")
   → Get: logical tensions

4. "Steelman the strongest version"
   → chain_analysis(prev, "steelman_argument")
   → Get: most defensible claim

Workflow 2: Multi-Lens Synthesis

1. apply_lens("Fed raises rates", "economic")
   → Economic analysis

2. apply_lens("Fed raises rates", "political")  
   → Political analysis

3. apply_operation(both_outputs, "synthesize_perspectives")
   → Unified framework

4. chain_analysis(synthesis, "identify_gaps")
   → Find what's missing

Workflow 3: Iterative Refinement

1. compare_positions("Climate policy")
   → Multi-perspective view

2. chain_analysis(output, "elevate_abstraction")
   → Broader systemic patterns

3. chain_analysis(output, "ground_in_specifics")
   → Concrete examples added

4. chain_analysis(output, "check_coherence")
   → Verify consistency

5. chain_analysis(output, "suggest_next_step")
   → AI recommends next operation

💡 Why This Approach?

Traditional Analysis: One-shot, limited depth

"Analyze X" → Single output → Done

Chained Analysis: Iterative, building complexity

"Analyze X" 
→ deconstruct 
→ extract assumptions 
→ find contradictions 
→ steelman argument 
→ identify gaps
→ synthesize
= Deep, multi-layered understanding

Benefits:

• ✅ Build complexity incrementally - Each operation adds a layer
• ✅ Provider-agnostic - Works with any LLM
• ✅ No API keys needed - Server never calls external LLMs
• ✅ Fully traceable - Every step logged with trace_id
• ✅ Self-guided - suggest_next_step operation recommends what to do next
• ✅ Composable - Mix with other MCP tools (Wikipedia, web search, etc.)

Available Lenses

• historical - Compare to precedents and patterns
• economic - Analyze resource flows and incentives
• geopolitical - Examine power balances and strategy
• psychological - Identify biases and manipulation
• technological - Explore tech's role and impact
• sociocultural - Analyze identity and narratives
• philosophical - Apply ethical frameworks
• systems - Map feedback loops and leverage points
• media - Deconstruct framing and agenda-setting

Trace Storage

Analysis plans are logged to ~/.analysis_mcp/traces/ as JSON files. Each trace contains:

• trace_id - Unique identifier
• tool - Which tool was called
• input - Original parameters
• outline - Structured analysis plan
• next_prompt - The prompt for LLM execution
• timestamp - When it was created

Use get_trace(trace_id) to retrieve any previous analysis plan.

Troubleshooting

Server not connecting?

• Verify uvx is installed: pip install uvx
• Check Claude Desktop logs (Help → View Logs)
• Ensure your config JSON is valid

Tools not appearing?

• Restart Claude Desktop after config changes
• Check the 🔌 icon shows "analysis-mcp" as connected

Contributing

Pull requests welcome! Please run tests before submitting:

pytest -v