Overview
Serena is an open-source coding agent toolkit designed to turn any large language model (LLM) into an agent capable of analyzing and editing real-world codebases. By combining Language Server Protocol (LSP) integrations with a set of code-focused semantic tools, Serena can identify code entities at the symbol level, perform precise insertions and replacements, and significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of LLM-based development workflows.
Key Features
- Semantic retrieval and editing: Symbol-level search and edit operations such as find_symbol and insert_after_symbol, enabling precise actions in large codebases.
- Multi-language support: Out-of-the-box support for Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Go, Rust, Java, and more via language servers.
- Flexible integrations: Works with MCP (Model Context Protocol) clients like Claude Code, Claude Desktop, terminal-based clients, and IDEs; can run via Docker, Nix, or uvx.
- Dashboard and logging: Provides a local web dashboard for session logs, tool diagnostics, and operational insights.
Use Cases
Serena is suited for code analysis, automated refactoring, large-scale code search and edits, and agent-driven code maintenance. Typical uses include fixing bugs across a repository, assisting with refactors, reducing token usage when paired with Claude Code, and powering IDE or custom agent integrations with symbol-aware editing tools.
Technical Highlights
- LSP-based semantic understanding: Leverages language servers to obtain reliable symbol boundaries and cross-references.
- Agent-oriented toolset: Exposes composable tools for common editing tasks (find references, insert/replace symbol bodies, run tests) for use in agent loops.
- Configurable contexts and modes: Supports multiple contexts (ide-assistant, desktop-app, agent) and custom modes to adapt to diverse deployment scenarios.