name: serena description: | Semantic code understanding with IDE-like symbol operations. Use when: (1) Large codebase analysis (>50 files), (2) Symbol-level operations (find, rename, refactor), (3) Cross-file reference tracking, (4) Project memory and session persistence, (5) Multi-language semantic navigation. Triggers: "find symbol", "rename function", "find references", "symbol overview", "project memory". IMPORTANT: Prioritize Serena's symbolic tools over file-based grep/read for code exploration.

Serena - Semantic Code Understanding

IDE-like semantic code operations via CLI. Provides symbol-level code navigation, editing, and project memory.

Execution Methods

# Prerequisites: pip install serena-agent typer
# Environment: SERENA_PROJECT (default: current directory)

# Symbol operations
python -m skills.serena.tools symbol find MyClass --body
python -m skills.serena.tools symbol overview src/main.py
python -m skills.serena.tools symbol refs MyClass/method
python -m skills.serena.tools symbol rename OldName NewName --path src/file.py

# Memory operations
python -m skills.serena.tools memory list
python -m skills.serena.tools memory read project_overview
python -m skills.serena.tools memory write api_notes --content "..."

# File operations
python -m skills.serena.tools file list --recursive
python -m skills.serena.tools file find "**/*.py"
python -m skills.serena.tools file search "TODO:.*" --path src

# Extended tools
python -m skills.serena.tools cmd run "git status"
python -m skills.serena.tools config read config.json

Tool Routing Policy

Prefer Serena Over Built-in Tools

When to Use Built-in Tools

• Simple text search (non-code patterns)
• Configuration files (JSON, YAML)
• Documentation files (Markdown)

Command Reference

Symbol Commands

Memory Commands

File Commands

Extended Commands

Workflow Commands

Workflow

Phase 1: Exploration

symbol overview src/main.py           # Understand file structure
symbol find MyClass --depth 1         # Explore class members
symbol find MyClass/method --body     # Get implementation details

Phase 2: Analysis

symbol refs MyClass/method            # Impact analysis
memory list                           # Check project knowledge
memory read architecture              # Retrieve context

Phase 3: Modification

symbol find target --body             # Verify target
symbol replace target --path f --body "..."  # Edit
symbol rename old new --path f        # Refactor

Error Handling

{"error": {"code": "ERROR_CODE", "message": "description"}}

Anti-Patterns