Serena MCP Code Exploration Workflow

Core Principle

Follow the order: Structure Overview → Symbol Search → Analysis → Modification

Tool Priority

1. get_symbols_overview - First understand file structure
2. find_symbol - Find specific classes, functions, variables
3. find_referencing_symbols - Check where symbols are used
4. search_for_pattern - Regex-based code search
5. read_file - Use only when above tools are insufficient

Work Process

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_file directly without understanding structure
• Skipping Serena MCP tools and reading files directly
• Reading entire files indiscriminately