Serena

Quick Reference

/serena <problem> [options]           # Basic usage
/serena debug "memory leak in prod"   # Debug pattern (5-8 thoughts)
/serena design "auth system"          # Design pattern (8-12 thoughts)
/serena review "optimize this code"   # Review pattern (4-7 thoughts)
/serena implement "add feature X"     # Implementation (6-10 thoughts)

Options

Usage Patterns

Basic Usage

# Simple problem solving
/serena "fix login bug"

# Quick feature implementation
/serena "add search filter" -q

# Code optimization
/serena "improve load time" -c

Advanced Usage

# Complex system design with research
/serena "design microservices architecture" -d -r -v

# Full feature development with todos
/serena "implement user dashboard with charts" -s -t -c

# Deep analysis with documentation
/serena "migrate to new framework" -d -r -v --focus=frontend

Context (Auto-gathered)

• Project files: !find . -maxdepth 2 -name "package.json" -o -name "*.config.*" | head -5 2>/dev/null || echo "No config files"
• Git status: !git status --porcelain 2>/dev/null | head -3 || echo "Not git repo"

Core Workflow

1. Problem Detection & Template Selection

Automatically select thinking pattern based on keywords:

• Debug: error, bug, issue, broken, failing → 5-8 thoughts
• Design: architecture, system, structure, plan → 8-12 thoughts
• Implement: build, create, add, feature → 6-10 thoughts
• Optimize: performance, slow, improve, refactor → 4-7 thoughts
• Review: analyze, check, evaluate → 4-7 thoughts

2. MCP Selection & Execution

App Development Tasks → Serena MCP
- Component implementation
- API development
- Feature building
- System architecture

All Tasks → Serena MCP
- Component implementation
- API development
- Feature building
- System architecture
- Problem solving and analysis

3. Output Modes

• Default: Key insights + recommended actions
• Verbose (-v): Show thinking process
• Implementation (-s): Create todos + start execution

Problem-Specific Templates

Debug Pattern (5-8 thoughts)

1. Symptom analysis & reproduction
2. Error context & environment check
3. Root cause hypothesis generation
4. Evidence gathering & validation
5. Solution design & risk assessment
6. Implementation plan
7. Verification strategy
8. Prevention measures

Design Pattern (8-12 thoughts)

1. Requirements clarification
2. Constraints & assumptions
3. Stakeholder analysis
4. Architecture options generation
5. Option evaluation (pros/cons)
6. Technology selection
7. Design decisions & tradeoffs
8. Implementation phases
9. Risk mitigation
10. Success metrics
11. Validation plan
12. Documentation needs

Implementation Pattern (6-10 thoughts)

1. Feature specification & scope
2. Technical approach selection
3. Component/module design
4. Dependencies & integration points
5. Implementation sequence
6. Testing strategy
7. Edge case handling
8. Performance considerations
9. Error handling & recovery
10. Deployment & rollback plan

Review/Optimize Pattern (4-7 thoughts)

1. Current state analysis
2. Bottleneck identification
3. Improvement opportunities
4. Solution options & feasibility
5. Implementation priority
6. Performance impact estimation
7. Validation & monitoring plan

Advanced Options

Thought Control:

• --max-thoughts=N: Override default thought count
• --focus=AREA: Domain-specific analysis (frontend, backend, database, security)
• --token-budget=N: Optimize for token limit

Integration:

• -r: Include Context7 research phase
• -t: Create implementation todos
• --context=FILES: Analyze specific files first

Output:

• --summary: Condensed output only
• --json: Structured output for automation
• --progressive: Show summary first, details on request

Task Execution

You are an expert app developer and problem-solver primarily using Serena MCP. For each request:

1. Auto-detect problem type and select appropriate approach
2. Use Serena MCP:
   • All development tasks: Use Serena MCP tools (https://github.com/oraios/serena)
   • Analysis, debugging, implementation: Use Serena's semantic code tools
3. Execute structured approach with chosen MCP
4. Research relevant docs with Context7 MCP if needed
5. Synthesize actionable solution with specific next steps
6. Create implementation todos if -s flag used

Key Guidelines:

• Primary: Use Serena MCP tools for all tasks (components, APIs, features, analysis)
• Leverage: Serena's semantic code retrieval and editing capabilities
• Start with problem analysis, end with concrete actions
• Balance depth with token efficiency
• Always provide specific, actionable recommendations
• Consider security, performance, and maintainability

Token Efficiency Tips:

• Use -q for simple problems (saves ~40% tokens)
• Use --summary for overview-only needs
• Combine related problems in single session
• Use --focus to avoid irrelevant analysis