Serena

Serena is a model context protocol toolkit that provides semantic code retrieval and editing capabilities for AI coding agents.

Serena provides essential semantic code retrieval, editing, refactoring, and debugging tools that operate at the symbol level and exploit relational structure. It integrates with any client or large language model via the model context protocol. The toolkit is designed primarily for AI coding agents to help them operate faster and more reliably in large and complex codebases. It supports over 40 programming languages via language servers implementing the language server protocol, and also offers a paid JetBrains plugin with a free trial. Supported integrations and clients include Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini-CLI, VSCode, Cursor, JetBrains IDEs, Claude Desktop, Codex App, and OpenWebUI.

Serena at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: VS Code, JetBrains, API, CLI
Pricing: Paid JetBrains plugin with free trial; language servers are free and open source.
Released: March 2025
Category: AI coding tool
Website: github.com/oraios/serena

Key features

Find symbol
Symbol overview file outline
Find referencing symbols
Rename and move symbols
Replace symbol body
Interactive debugging
Memory management system
Basic utilities like pattern search and file reading

Use it for

Exploring codebases at the symbol level without reading entire files
Performing cross-file renames, moves, and reference lookups
Managing long-lived agent workflows with a built-in memory system
Debugging code by setting breakpoints and inspecting variables

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