setup-serena-mcp

Q: How do I install setup-serena-mcp?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/neolabhq/context-engineering-kit --skill setup-serena-mcp in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/setup-serena-mcp/ (personal) or .claude/skills/setup-serena-mcp/ (project).

by neolabhqAI & Agents

Guide for setup Serena MCP server for semantic code retrieval and editing capabilities

Installs: 1.2K
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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/neolabhq/context-engineering-kit --skill setup-serena-mcp

01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads setup-serena-mcp automatically when relevant.
03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

User Input:

$ARGUMENTS

Guide for setup Serena MCP server

1. Determine setup context

Ask the user where they want to store the configuration:

Options:

Project level (shared via git) - Configuration tracked in version control, shared with team
- CLAUDE.md updates go to: ./CLAUDE.md
Project level (personal preferences) - Configuration stays local, not tracked in git
- CLAUDE.md updates go to: ./CLAUDE.local.md
- Verify these files are listed in .gitignore, add them if not
User level (global) - Configuration applies to all projects for this user
- CLAUDE.md updates go to: ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md

Store the user's choice and use the appropriate paths in subsequent steps.

2. Check if Serena MCP server is already setup

Check whether you have access to Serena MCP server by attempting to use one of its tools (e.g., find_symbol or get_symbols_overview).

If no access, proceed with setup.

3. Load Serena documentation

Read the following documentation to understand Serena's capabilities and setup process:

Load https://raw.githubusercontent.com/oraios/serena/refs/heads/main/README.md to understand what Serena is and its capabilities
Load https://oraios.github.io/serena/02-usage/020_running.html to learn how to run Serena
Load https://oraios.github.io/serena/02-usage/030_clients.html to learn how to configure your MCP client
Load https://oraios.github.io/serena/02-usage/040_workflow.html to learn how to setup Serena for your project

4. Guide user through setup process

Based on the loaded documentation:

Check prerequisites: Verify that uv is installed (required for running Serena)
Identify client type: Determine which MCP client the user is using (Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VSCode, etc.)
Provide setup instructions: Guide through the configuration specific to their client if it not already configured
Setup project: Guide through the project setup process if it not already setup
Start indexing project: Guide through the project indexing process if it was just setup
If MCP was just setup, ask user to restart Claude Code to load the new MCP server, write to user explisit instructions, including "exit claude code console, then run 'claude --continue' and then write "continue" to continue setup process"
Test connection: Verify that Serena tools are accessible after setup
1. If not yet, run initial_instructions
2. Check if onboarding was performered, if not then run it.
3. Then try to read any file

After adding MCP server, but before testings connection write to user this message EXACTLY:

You must restart Claude Code to load the new MCP server:

  1. Exit Claude Code console (type exit or press Ctrl+C)
  2. Run claude --continue
  3. Type "continue" to resume setup

  After restart, I will:
  - Verify Serena tools are accessible
  - Run initial_instructions if needed
  - Perform onboarding for this project (if not already done)

5. Update CLAUDE.md file

Use the path determined in step 1. Once Serena is successfully set up, update the appropriate CLAUDE.md file with the following content EXACTLY:

### Use Serena MCP for Semantic Code Analysis instead of regular code search and editing

Serena MCP is available for advanced code retrieval and editing capabilities.

**When to use Serena:**
- Symbol-based code navigation (find definitions, references, implementations)
- Precise code manipulation in structured codebases
- Prefer symbol-based operations over file-based grep/sed when available

**Key tools:**
- `find_symbol` - Find symbol by name across the codebase
- `find_referencing_symbols` - Find all symbols that reference a given symbol
- `get_symbols_overview` - Get overview of top-level symbols in a file
- `read_file` - Read file content within the project directory

**Usage notes:**
- Memory files can be manually reviewed/edited in `.serena/memories/`

Add this section, if server setup at user level (global):


**Project setup (per project):**
1. Run `serena project create --index` in your project directory
2. Serena auto-detects language; creates `.serena/project.yml`
3. First use triggers onboarding and creates memory files in `.serena/memories/`

6. Project initialization (if needed)

If this is a new project or Serena hasn't been initialized:

Guide user to run project initialization commands
Explain project-based workflow and indexing
Configure project-specific settings if needed

FAQ

What does the setup-serena-mcp skill do?

Guide for setup Serena MCP server for semantic code retrieval and editing capabilities

How do I install setup-serena-mcp?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/neolabhq/context-engineering-kit --skill setup-serena-mcp in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/setup-serena-mcp/ (personal) or .claude/skills/setup-serena-mcp/ (project).

Which AI agents can use setup-serena-mcp?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is setup-serena-mcp safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains setup-serena-mcp?

It is published by neolabhq in neolabhq/context-engineering-kit. It has 1,235 recorded installs.