Serena Analyze Skill

Analyze codebase structure and architecture using Serena MCP's semantic code understanding tools.

Core Principles

1. •Efficient exploration: Use symbolic tools to understand structure without reading entire files
2. •Top-down approach: Start with overview, drill down only where needed
3. •Map relationships: Understand how components connect and depend on each other
4. •Summarize findings: Provide clear, actionable insights

Serena MCP Tools

Structure Analysis

• •mcp__serena__get_symbols_overview: Get all top-level symbols in a file (classes, functions, etc.)
• •mcp__serena__find_symbol: Get details of specific symbol with optional body
• •mcp__serena__find_referencing_symbols: Map dependencies and usages

Navigation

• •mcp__serena__list_dir: Explore directory structure
• •mcp__serena__find_file: Locate files by name pattern
• •mcp__serena__search_for_pattern: Find patterns across codebase

Context

• •mcp__serena__read_file: Read file when detailed understanding needed
• •mcp__serena__read_memory: Check existing project knowledge

Analysis Workflow

1. •Project overview: Use list_dir to understand directory structure
2. •Identify entry points: Find main files, exports, public APIs
3. •Map components: Use get_symbols_overview on key files
4. •Trace relationships: Use find_referencing_symbols for dependency mapping
5. •Document findings: Summarize architecture and patterns

Analysis Types

Architecture Overview

• •Directory structure analysis
• •Module/package organization
• •Entry points and public APIs
• •Configuration patterns

Component Deep-Dive

• •Class/function structure
• •Internal dependencies
• •Interface definitions
• •Design patterns used

Dependency Mapping

• •Import/export relationships
• •Call graphs
• •Data flow paths
• •Circular dependency detection

Codebase Onboarding

• •Key files to understand
• •Core abstractions
• •Naming conventions
• •Common patterns

Response Format

## Overview

[High-level summary of findings]

## Structure

[Directory/component organization]

## Key Components

| Component | Location | Purpose |
|-----------|----------|---------|
| ...       | ...      | ...     |

## Relationships

[Dependency diagram or description]

## Patterns Identified

- [Pattern 1]
- [Pattern 2]

## Recommendations (if applicable)

- [Suggestion 1]
- [Suggestion 2]

Task: $ARGUMENTS

Analyze the codebase to answer:

$ARGUMENTS

Use Serena's symbolic tools to efficiently understand structure without reading unnecessary code.