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name: serena description: Semantic code search, analysis, and editing. Use for understanding code structure, finding classes/functions, refactoring, and impact analysis. Triggers on "where is this function", "show references", "analyze impact" queries

Serena Tool Guide

Semantic code analysis. Searches and edits at symbol level without reading entire files.

Core Tools

find_symbol

Locate class, function, or variable definitions.

Examples:

• "Where is the UserService class defined?"
• "Find the authenticate function definition"

search_for_pattern

Search for code patterns or strings.

Examples:

• "Find all TODO comments"
• "Locate all API endpoint usages"

edit_symbol

Edit at symbol level without loading entire files.

find_referencing_symbols

Track symbol references and dependencies.

Examples:

• "Show all callers of this function"
• "Find dependency chain"

When to Use

• Large codebases (100+ files)
• Semantic search (understanding code meaning)
• Refactoring (precise edits required)
• Dependency tracking
• Code structure analysis

Common Workflows

Code understanding:

1. find_symbol to locate main classes/functions
2. find_referencing_symbols to trace callers
3. Build overall understanding

Refactoring:

1. find_symbol to identify target
2. edit_symbol to modify
3. find_referencing_symbols to verify impact

Bug fixing:

1. search_for_pattern to find error-related code
2. find_symbol to examine details
3. edit_symbol to fix

Examples

User: Find authentication code

Agent: Uses Serena to search for authentication-related code and explains

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User: What calls UserService?

Agent: Shows all references

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User: Refactor this code

Agent: Analyzes impact and proposes changes