Sideways
When you're stuck in straight-line thinking, this server delivers lateral thinking prompts through six categories: Reframe, Reduce, Expand, Disrupt, Embody, and Pause. Your AI tells Sideways what you're stuck on, Sideways picks the relevant category, and sends back a strategy with questions designed to break the pattern. The prompts are confrontational in a useful way, like "What are you pretending not to know?" or "Which problem are you avoiding by solving this one?" It works for code problems (refactoring paralysis, test suite performance, debugging loops) and general creative blocks (flat characters, passive-aggressive emails, boring cover letters). The whole interaction is designed around typing "use sideways" in your prompt after initial setup.
- tools
- 6
- transport
- HTTP
- last updated
- Sep 22, 2026
Install
From registry metadata$ npx add-mcp https://usesideways.com/mcp --name sidewaysRun in your terminal. add-mcp asks which agents to add it to (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and more). Add -g to install it for every project.
Review the command, arguments and environment values before installing. MCP servers run with your local permissions.
Other ways
Claude Code
$ claude mcp add --transport http sideways https://usesideways.com/mcpRun in your terminal. Add --scope user to make it available in every project.
Tools
Verified live · 6 toolsVerified live against the running server on Nov 6, 2026.
get-sideways-strategy-category-reframeGet a random Reframe strategy. Use when stuck in a single way of thinking, facing opposition, or need to see the problem from a completely different angle. Best for breaking out of mental ruts. Use this when: change your perspective, reverse assumptions, adopt alternative view...
Get a random Reframe strategy. Use when stuck in a single way of thinking, facing opposition, or need to see the problem from a completely different angle. Best for breaking out of mental ruts. Use this when: change your perspective, reverse assumptions, adopt alternative view...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
get-sideways-strategy-category-reduceGet a random Reduce strategy. Use when overwhelmed by complexity, dealing with too many options, or when clarity is needed. Best for cutting through noise and finding the core. Use this when: simplify, subtract, remove, clarify, focus on essentials. Returns a labeled strategy...
Get a random Reduce strategy. Use when overwhelmed by complexity, dealing with too many options, or when clarity is needed. Best for cutting through noise and finding the core. Use this when: simplify, subtract, remove, clarify, focus on essentials. Returns a labeled strategy...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
get-sideways-strategy-category-expandGet a random Expand strategy. Use when solutions feel too minimal, when avoiding decisions, or when there's room to explore more possibilities. Best for breaking self-imposed limitations. Use this when: add more, elaborate, embrace abundance, do both. Returns a labeled strateg...
Get a random Expand strategy. Use when solutions feel too minimal, when avoiding decisions, or when there's room to explore more possibilities. Best for breaking self-imposed limitations. Use this when: add more, elaborate, embrace abundance, do both. Returns a labeled strateg...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
get-sideways-strategy-category-disruptGet a random Disrupt strategy. Use when stuck in safe patterns, avoiding risk, or when work feels too polished or predictable. Best for injecting energy and unpredictability. Use this when: break patterns, embrace chaos, make destructive moves, honor mistakes. Returns a labele...
Get a random Disrupt strategy. Use when stuck in safe patterns, avoiding risk, or when work feels too polished or predictable. Best for injecting energy and unpredictability. Use this when: break patterns, embrace chaos, make destructive moves, honor mistakes. Returns a labele...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
get-sideways-strategy-category-embodyGet a random Embody strategy. Use when too much in your head, experiencing physical tension, or disconnected from intuition. Best for grounding abstract work in physical reality. Use this when: physical, sensory, body-based approaches to creative problems. Returns a labeled st...
Get a random Embody strategy. Use when too much in your head, experiencing physical tension, or disconnected from intuition. Best for grounding abstract work in physical reality. Use this when: physical, sensory, body-based approaches to creative problems. Returns a labeled st...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
get-sideways-strategy-category-pauseGet a random Pause strategy. Use when rushing, feeling frantic, or unable to see the forest for the trees. Best for gaining clarity through distance and reflection. Use this when: rest, reflect, step back, examine, take breaks. Returns a labeled strategy card to help shift you...
Get a random Pause strategy. Use when rushing, feeling frantic, or unable to see the forest for the trees. Best for gaining clarity through distance and reflection. Use this when: rest, reflect, step back, examine, take breaks. Returns a labeled strategy card to help shift you...
No parameters. Call it with no arguments.
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- Website
- usesideways.com
- Transport
- HTTP
- Registry
- MCP registry, active
- Resources
- 9
- Prompts
- 6
- Tools verified
- Nov 6, 2026