Serena MCP Code Exploration Workflow
Core Principle
Follow the order: Structure Overview → Symbol Search → Analysis → Modification
Tool Priority
- •
get_symbols_overview- First understand file structure - •
find_symbol- Find specific classes, functions, variables - •
find_referencing_symbols- Check where symbols are used - •
search_for_pattern- Regex-based code search - •
read_file- Use only when above tools are insufficient
Work Process
code
1. Check file structure with get_symbols_overview ↓ 2. Search for needed symbols with find_symbol ↓ 3. Analyze and understand code ↓ 4. Perform modification/creation
Checklist
Before Starting Exploration:
- • Identify target files/directories
- • Run get_symbols_overview first
During Exploration:
- • Navigate by symbols (functions, classes, variables)
- • Use find_referencing_symbols when checking references
After Exploration:
- • Confirm sufficient context has been gathered
- • Document analysis results in docs directory (if needed)
What to Avoid
- •Using
read_filedirectly without understanding structure - •Skipping Serena MCP tools and reading files directly
- •Reading entire files indiscriminately