serena

Overview

Serena provides essential semantic code retrieval, editing, refactoring and debugging tools similar to an IDE's capabilities, operating at the symbol level and exploiting relational structure. It integrates with any client/LLM via the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling agents to operate faster, more efficiently and more reliably, especially in larger and more complex codebases. The toolkit supports over 40 programming languages through language servers and offers a paid JetBrains Plugin for enhanced functionality.

Try asking AI

After installing, here are 5 things you can ask your AI assistant:

• find_symbol

  Find a symbol in the codebase by name

  Try:Find the 'user authentication' functionTry:Locate the main class in the project
• find_referencing_symbols

  Find all symbols that reference a given symbol

  Try:Find all references to the 'Database' classTry:Show who uses the calculateTotal method
• rename

  Rename a symbol throughout the codebase

  Try:Rename 'oldFunction' to 'newFunction'Try:Change the class name from UserController to AccountController
• replace_symbol_body

  Replace the implementation body of a symbol

  Try:Update the implementation of the login functionTry:Replace the contents of the calculate method
• insert_after_symbol

  Insert code after a specified symbol

  Try:Add logging after the database connectionTry:Insert validation after the user input
• insert_before_symbol

  Insert code before a specified symbol

  Try:Add error handling before the API callTry:Insert security checks before data processing
• safe_delete

  Safely delete a symbol or code section

  Try:Remove the deprecated methodTry:Delete the unused import statement
• read_file

  Read the content of a file

  Try:Show the content of main.pyTry:Read the README file
• search_for_pattern

  Search for a pattern across the codebase

  Try:Find all TODO commentsTry:Search for 'password' in the project
• replace_content

  Replace content in files using regex or literal text

  Try:Replace all 'foo' with 'bar'Try:Change the deprecated API calls
• list_dir

  List the contents of a directory

  Try:Show all files in the src directoryTry:List the contents of the project root
• find_file

  Find files by name or pattern

  Try:Find all test filesTry:Locate the config.yaml

Comparable tools

Installation

FAQ

What programming languages does Serena support?

Serena supports over 40 programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, C++, Go, Rust, and many others through its language server integration.

Can I use Serena with any LLM client?

Yes, Serena integrates with any client that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), including Claude Code, Codex, VSCode, Cursor, JetBrains IDEs, Claude Desktop, and others.

On Hacker News

Recent discussion from the developer community.

• Free to Use Alternative to Cursor, Claude Code, Cline etc.▲ 4💬 1
  Story by MischaPanch · 2025-04-03

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