Sideways
REMOTE · USESIDEWAYS.COM · SCANNED SEP 22
Use Sideways for unexpected questions and lateral thinking prompts to break through mental blocks.
Available components
How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. How we score → Why this is hard to score →
Endpoint Security60
- The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key. View diagnostics → Pass
- Authorisation not fully verified: no authorisation is required to call this server, and 6 tool(s) never declared a destructiveHint. The MCP spec treats an absent hint as destructive by default, so we cannot call this surface safe. See how to fix → View diagnostics → Unverified
- HTTPS is enforced; there's no plaintext access path. View diagnostics → Pass
- HSTS check failed: the Strict-Transport-Security header is absent. See how to fix → View diagnostics → Fail
- DNSSEC is configured correctly; the domain's records validate against the full chain to the root. View diagnostics → Pass
Transport & Reachability100
- Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake. View diagnostics → Pass
Schema Quality & AI Usability88
- 100% of prompts and resources have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the item's name).Pass
- AI-judged instruction clarity (excellent).Pass
- Tool/resource definitions use about 793 tokens (~52/item across 15 items; 6 tools + 9 resources), lean.Pass
- Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples. See how to fix → Fail
Stability & Change Management100
- No destabilizing schema changes in the last 30 days.Pass
Tool Coverage100
- 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).Pass
Tool Safety100
- No prompt-injection markers were found in the server instructions, tool names or descriptions we captured.Pass
- We read all 6 captured tool definition(s), and no name or description among them implies an irreversible operation.Pass
- An AI judge read all 8 captured unit(s) of tool text and found none that tries to manipulate the model reading it.Pass
Capabilities100
- Implements a current MCP spec version (2026-07-28).Pass
- Supports UI / widget rendering.Pass
How do I install the Sideways MCP server?
Sideways is a hosted endpoint at https://usesideways.com/mcp, so there is nothing to install locally. Ready-made configuration for Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and 5 more is on this page, copied from each client's own documentation.
remote · usesideways.com
claude mcp add --transport http com-usesideways-sideways 'https://usesideways.com/mcp'
{
"mcpServers": {
"com-usesideways-sideways": {
"url": "https://usesideways.com/mcp"
}
}
} {
"servers": {
"com-usesideways-sideways": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://usesideways.com/mcp"
}
}
} [mcp_servers.com-usesideways-sideways] url = "https://usesideways.com/mcp"
{
"$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
"mcp": {
"com-usesideways-sideways": {
"type": "remote",
"url": "https://usesideways.com/mcp",
"enabled": true
}
}
} openclaw mcp add com-usesideways-sideways --url 'https://usesideways.com/mcp' --transport streamable-http
mcp_servers:
com-usesideways-sideways:
url: "https://usesideways.com/mcp" {
"McpServers": {
"com-usesideways-sideways": {
"Transport": "http",
"Url": "https://usesideways.com/mcp"
}
}
} assistant mcp add com-usesideways-sideways -t streamable-http -u 'https://usesideways.com/mcp'
{
"mcpServers": {
"com-usesideways-sideways": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://usesideways.com/mcp"
}
}
} The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.
Every change we have recorded for this component, newest first. Security-relevant changes are always shown. ▲ marks a change for the better, ▼ a change for the worse; unmarked changes are neutral.
- 22 Sept 26 0
- Server version: 1.5.2 → 1.6.1 functional
- Server version: 1.5.1 → 1.5.2 functional
- 20 Sept 26 0
- The server rewrote its instructions, which are the text every model session reads security
- Schema quality: 46 → 52 ▼ functional
- Server version: 1.5.0 → 1.5.1 functional
- Server version: 1.4.1 → 1.5.0 functional
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-embody” changed its title: Sideways: Embody cosmetic
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-expand” changed its title: Sideways: Expand cosmetic
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-pause” changed its title: Sideways: Pause cosmetic
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-reframe” changed its title: Sideways: Reframe cosmetic
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-reduce” changed its title: Sideways: Reduce cosmetic
- Tool “get-sideways-strategy-category-disrupt” changed its title: Sideways: Disrupt cosmetic
- 19 Sept 26 0
- MCP protocol: Implements a current MCP spec version (2026-07-28). functional
- MCP protocol version: 2025-11-25 → 2026-07-28 functional
- Server version: 1.3.0 → 1.4.1 functional
- 30 Aug 26 0
- Server version: 1.2.3 → 1.3.0 functional
- 26 Aug 26 0
- We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server See what changed → functional
- 25 Aug 26 +1
- Stability: 0.97 → pass security
- 11 Aug 26 0
- We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server See what changed → functional
- 1 Aug 26 0
- We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server See what changed → functional
Diagnostic detail from the automated scan of this channel: what the scanner observed at each step, so you can see exactly where a check passed or failed. It is informational only and never changes the trust score.
Captured 22 Sept 2026 · Probed https://usesideways.com/mcp
TLS valid
Negotiated TLS 1.3 with TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256 .
| Subject | Issuer | Valid from | Valid until | Key | Signature | Serial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN=usesideways.com | CN=WE1,O=Google Trust Services,C=US | 17 Aug 2026 | 15 Nov 2026 | ECDSA 256 | ECDSA-SHA256 | 3721c96dcf1764c213652a62186df740 |
| SANs: usesideways.com | ||||||
| CN=WE1,O=Google Trust Services,C=US (CA) | CN=GTS Root R4,O=Google Trust Services LLC,C=US | 13 Dec 2023 | 20 Feb 2029 | ECDSA 256 | ECDSA-SHA384 | 7ff31977972c224a76155d13b6d685e3 |
| CN=GTS Root R4,O=Google Trust Services LLC,C=US (CA) | CN=GlobalSign Root CA,OU=Root CA,O=GlobalSign nv-sa,C=BE | 15 Nov 2023 | 28 Jan 2028 | ECDSA 384 | SHA256-RSA | 7fe530bf331343bedd821610493d8a1b |
Background: What to check on a remote MCP endpoint →
DNSSEC secure
Validation of usesideways.com. — Secure
| Zone | DS | Keys | Algorithms | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| . | trust_anchor | 20326, 38696 | 8, 8 | Verified |
| com. | present | 19718 | 13 | Verified |
| usesideways.com. | present | 2371 | 13 | Verified |
| usesideways.com. | Verified address RRset verified with the apex keys |
Authentication No authorisation required
The endpoint answered without asking for a token. Anyone who knows the URL can reach it.
| Result | No authorisation required |
|---|---|
| HTTP status | 200 |
Background: How OAuth 2.1 works in the 2026 MCP spec →
Transports 2 probes
| Transport | URL | Outcome | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| streamable-http | https://usesideways.com/mcp | Verified | 200 | |
| http (plaintext) | http://usesideways.com/mcp | HTTPS enforced | 301 | https://usesideways.com/mcp |
The tools this component advertises to a client, with an estimated token cost for each. Expand a tool to see its parameters and schema. The per-tool counts are indicative and are not scored directly; the schema's total context footprint is one signal in Schema Quality & AI Usability. A tool's description is untrusted text the model reads on every call, which is what makes this list a security surface and not just an inventory: how tool poisoning works →
get-sideways-strategy-category-disrupt Sideways: Disrupt ~80
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 labeled strategy card to help shift your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
get-sideways-strategy-category-embody Sideways: Embody ~78
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 strategy card to help shift your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
get-sideways-strategy-category-expand Sideways: Expand ~77
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 strategy card to help shift your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
get-sideways-strategy-category-pause Sideways: Pause ~77
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 your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
get-sideways-strategy-category-reduce Sideways: Reduce ~79
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 card to help shift your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
get-sideways-strategy-category-reframe Sideways: Reframe ~85
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 viewpoints. Returns a labeled strategy card to help shift your perspective and break through blocks.
Input schema present but exposes no named parameters.
No output schema declared.
No examples provided.
What is the Sideways MCP server?
Sideways is an MCP server listed in the public MCP registry as com.usesideways/sideways. Use Sideways for unexpected questions and lateral thinking prompts to break through mental blocks. This page covers its hosted endpoint (https://usesideways.com/mcp).
Is the Sideways MCP server safe to use?
Sideways scores 82 out of 100 on VerifyMCP. That is a record of what we were able to check automatically, not an endorsement. The category breakdown on this page shows every signal behind the number, including the ones we could not confirm.
What tools does the Sideways MCP server expose?
Sideways exposes 6 tools: get-sideways-strategy-category-reframe, get-sideways-strategy-category-reduce, get-sideways-strategy-category-expand, get-sideways-strategy-category-disrupt, get-sideways-strategy-category-embody, get-sideways-strategy-category-pause. Their descriptions and schemas cost roughly 476 tokens of context every time the server is loaded.
Does the Sideways MCP server require authentication?
No. We connected to Sideways without credentials and it answered, so anything it exposes is reachable by anyone who knows the address.
Is the Sideways MCP server still maintained?
Sideways is still listed as active in the MCP registry. We last reached this channel on 22 September 2026. Those dates come from our own scans of the registry and the channel itself, not from anything the publisher announced.