Extended thinking mode allows Claude (Claude 4 models and Claude 3.7 Sonnet) to spend more time breaking down problems, planning solutions, and exploring different approaches before responding. This article explains how to use this feature and when it's most beneficial.
How to Use Extended Thinking Mode
Enabling Extended Thinking
Click the model selector in the chat interface
Ensure you have selected a Claude 4 model or Claude 3.7 Sonnet from the dropdown
Select "Extended" under "Thought process"
Claude will now use extended thinking for all subsequent responses
Note: If you’ve started chatting in Normal mode, switching to Extended will start a new chat (and vice versa).
Viewing Claude's Thought Process
When extended thinking is enabled, you'll see:
A "Thinking" indicator with a timer showing how long Claude has been processing
An expandable "Thinking" section above Claude's response
Click the "Thinking" section to view Claude's thought process summary and problem-solving approach
Switching Back to Normal Mode
Select "Normal" from the model selector menu to return to standard thinking times
Normal mode is recommended for most everyday conversations and simple queries
Incomplete Thought Processes
Occasionally, you may notice that Claude's thinking stops before it's complete, with a message stating that the rest of Claude's thought process is not available.
This happens when Claude's thinking involves information our safety systems have identified as potentially posing an elevated risk of harm or misuse per our Usage Policy.
If the incomplete thought process affects Claude's ability to help with your request, you can try reframing your prompt to help Claude approach the problem from a different angle.
When to Use Extended Thinking
Extended thinking mode is particularly valuable for:
Complex Problem-Solving
Mathematical calculations and proofs
Physics problems
Competition-level coding challenges
In-depth analysis of complex topics
Detailed Planning & Analysis
Comprehensive project planning
Detailed document analysis
Multi-step technical problems
Other complex questions
When to Use Normal Mode Instead
Simple questions and everyday conversations
Basic information requests
General writing tasks
Tips for Using Extended Thinking Mode
Be Specific: Clearly state your problem or question to help Claude focus its extended thinking time effectively
Review the Thought Process: Expand the thinking section to understand how Claude arrived at its conclusion, which can be valuable for learning and verification
Consider Time Trade-offs: While extended thinking can provide more thorough responses, it takes longer. Choose this mode when the additional analysis time will truly benefit your task