| name | serena-navigator |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "navigate code efficiently",
"find function definition", "understand file structure", "explore codebase",
"get symbols overview", "find symbol usages", or mentions Serena's LSP tools
like get_symbols_overview, find_symbol, find_referencing_symbols.
|
Serena Semantic Navigation
Token-Efficient Reading Pattern
Instead of reading entire files:
- Get overview first:
get_symbols_overview(file) - See all functions/classes
- Locate specific symbol:
find_symbol(name) - Get exact location
- Read targeted section:
read_file(path, start_line, end_line) - Only what's needed
This pattern saves 90%+ tokens on large files.
Tool Selection Guide
| Task | Tool |
|---|
| See file structure | get_symbols_overview(file_path) |
| Find definition | find_symbol(name) |
| Find all usages | find_referencing_symbols(symbol_name) |
| Search text/comments | search_for_pattern(pattern) |
Example Workflow: Understanding Code
1. get_symbols_overview("src/services/payment.py")
→ See PaymentProcessor class with all methods
2. find_symbol("process_payment")
→ Get exact location and signature
3. find_referencing_symbols("process_payment")
→ Find all call sites
4. read_file("src/services/payment.py", start_line=45, end_line=80)
→ Read only the relevant method
When to Use Text Search
Use search_for_pattern for:
- String literals and comments
- Configuration values
- Non-code patterns
Memory Integration
Check existing project knowledge:
list_memories()
read_memory("architecture_overview")
Save discoveries:
write_memory(key="architecture_overview", content="...")
