# Serena Workflow

> Best practices for activating and utilizing the Serena MCP toolset. Use this skill when working in a Serena-enabled project to ensure correct project activation (including WSL handling) and to leverage semantic tools for code navigation and editing.

- Skill: `majiayu000/serena-workflow` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/serena-workflow`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/serena-workflow/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/serena-workflow

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# Serena Workflow Guidelines

This skill outlines the standard procedure for working with Serena MCP tools, ensuring consistent project activation and efficient code manipulation.

## 1. Project Activation

Before performing any code operations, you must activate the Serena project.

### WSL Environment Strategy
If you are operating in a WSL environment (paths starting with `/home/...`):
1.  **Primary Method**: Attempt activation using the UNC path format:
    `\\wsl$\Ubuntu<absolute_path>`
    (e.g., `\\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\user\repo`)
2.  **Fallback**: Use the standard Linux path only if the UNC path activation fails.

### Onboarding Check
Immediately after activation:
1.  Run `check_onboarding_performed`.
2.  If it returns `false`, you **MUST** run the `onboarding` tool before proceeding with any other tasks.

## 2. Serena-First Workflow

Prioritize Serena's semantic capabilities over standard file operations for code-related tasks.

- **Code Navigation**: Use semantic search tools to find symbols and references instead of `grep` or `find`.
- **Refactoring**: Leverage Serena's automated refactoring tools for safe code changes.
- **File Operations**: Reserve standard shell commands for non-code files or simple, non-semantic text processing.