Encode Repo Serena

Encode Repository (Serena-Enhanced)

Transform an undocumented codebase into a rich, searchable knowledge repository using Serena's LSP-powered symbol analysis.

Triggers

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Onboarding to a new repository that lacks Forgetful knowledge
• Repository structure has changed significantly since last encoding
• Forgetful searches return sparse or outdated results for the project

Use research-and-incorporate instead when:

• Researching an external topic, not encoding a codebase
• You need analysis of a single concept, not full repository encoding

Quick Start

/encode-repo-serena
/encode-repo-serena ./my-project
"encode this repository"
"populate forgetful with this codebase"

Prerequisites

1. Serena plugin: claude plugins list | grep serena
2. Forgetful MCP: Test with execute_forgetful_tool("list_projects", {})
3. If missing, run /context-hub-setup first

Process

Phase 0: Discovery

Assess project size, complexity, and structure. Produce a structure map.

Phase 1: Foundation

Create 5-10 project overview memories covering purpose, tech stack, and entry points.

Phase 1B: Dependencies

Create 1-3 dependency memories documenting external libraries and internal references.

Phase 2: Symbols

Use Serena find_symbol and find_referencing_symbols to produce 10-15 architecture memories.

Phase 2B: Entities

Create component entities with relationships in Forgetful. Deduplicate before creating.

Phase 3: Patterns

Document 8-12 recurring code patterns, conventions, and idioms.

Phase 4: Features

Create 1-2 memories per critical feature describing behavior and implementation.

Phase 5: Decisions

Record design decisions with rationale and alternatives considered.

Phase 6: Artifacts

Store code artifacts (configs, schemas, key files) in Forgetful.

Phase 6B: Symbol Index

Create a symbol index document with an entry memory for navigation.

Phase 7: Documents

Produce long-form documentation summarizing the codebase.

Phase 7B: Architecture

Create an architecture reference document linking all prior phases.

See references/phases.md for full phase details.

Execution Order

0 → 1 → 1B → 2 → 2B → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 6B → 7 → 7B

Guidelines:

• Execute phases in order
• Use Serena's find_symbol and find_referencing_symbols
• Deduplicate entities before creating
• Link entities to memories bidirectionally
• Create entry memories for documents

Memory Targets

Quality Principles

Validation

After encoding, verify all outputs meet quality standards:

• Test memory search: "How do I add a new API endpoint?"
• Test dependency query: "What dependencies does this project use?"
• List entities by project
• Verify entity relationships
• Check Symbol Index document exists
• Check Architecture Reference document exists
• Verify project.notes populated
• All target components have Forgetful entities created
• Entity relationships reflect actual code dependencies
• Memories linked to corresponding entities
• No duplicate entities in knowledge graph

See references/validation.md for test commands.

Anti-Patterns

References

Related Skills

• /context-hub-setup - Setup Forgetful MCP
• /using-forgetful-memory - Memory best practices
• /using-serena-symbols - Serena symbol analysis

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