Optimize Serena tool usage guidance for agentic planning

[Copilot]

The Serena tool prompt lacked practical guidance optimized for AI agent decision-making. Analysis of 20 workflows revealed common patterns and anti-patterns. The file has been restructured from documentation-style to action-oriented agent prompt.

Changes

Redefined purpose and scope

• Changed from vague "advanced static analysis" to precise "LSP MCP server for semantic code analysis"
• Added explicit ✅ use cases: symbol analysis, call graphs, semantic patterns, refactoring opportunities
• Added explicit ❌ anti-patterns: text operations, grep-suitable tasks, config files

Optimized for agentic planning

• Reduced file size by 46% (323 → 173 lines) for faster agent processing
• Restructured as action-oriented decision guide with Quick Decision section at top
• Converted prose to scannable bullet points and numbered action sequences
• Categorized tools by function (Navigation & Analysis, Code Editing, Project Management)
• Replaced lengthy examples with concise step-by-step workflows

Documented production patterns

• Extracted from go-fan (97.6% success), sergo (94.4% success), and 3 other workflows
• Pattern 1: Find all function usages (3-step sequence)
• Pattern 2: Code quality analysis (4-step sequence)
• Pattern 3: Daily code analysis (5-step sequence with caching)

Tool reference

• Navigation: find_symbol, get_symbols_overview, find_referencing_code_snippets
• Editing: replace_symbol_body, insert_at_line, delete_lines
• Analysis: search_for_pattern, activate_project, onboarding

Common pitfalls section

• Using Serena for YAML/JSON/Markdown (use edit instead)
• Forgetting activate_project first
• Not combining with bash for file discovery
• Missing language configuration

Decision tree

Requires code semantics/structure?
├─ NO → bash/edit/view
└─ YES
    ├─ Simple text/grep → bash/grep
    ├─ Config files → edit
    └─ Symbol/structure/patterns → Serena

Removed per feedback

• Language detection section (agents can use standard file indicators)
• Serena memory tools (write_memory, read_memory, list_memories) and related best practices

Result

File optimized from 87 to 173 lines (originally expanded to 323). Agents can now make instant YES/NO decisions using top-of-file criteria, with all essential information in a scannable, action-oriented format following the pattern of other agent prompts in .github/aw/.

Custom agent used: technical-doc-writer
AI technical documentation writer for GitHub Actions library using GitHub Docs voice

Original prompt

Update and optimize usage prompt in

https://github.com/githubnext/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/aw/serena-tool.md

• review workflows usinf serena
• Use the GitHub agentic workflows logs tool to collect information about the usage of Serena

Use audit to do a deeper dive.

Improve the prompt to make use of Serena more efficient

Custom agent used: technical-doc-writer
AI technical documentation writer for GitHub Actions library using GitHub Docs voice

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[pelikhan]

@copilot ignore section

[Copilot]

Removed the "Detecting Repository Language" section. Fixed in 38b4c7b.

[pelikhan]

@copilot do not use Serena memories

[Copilot]

Removed Serena memory tools (write_memory, read_memory, list_memories) from the tool reference. Fixed in 38b4c7b.

[pelikhan]

@copilot do not use see a memory

[Copilot]

Removed the "Leverage Memory for Insights" best practice section. Fixed in 38b4c7b.

[pelikhan]

@copilot optimize the content of the file for agentic planning (this is a prompt of an agent)

[Copilot]

Optimized for agentic planning. Reduced from 323 to 173 lines (46% reduction), restructured as action-oriented decision guide with:

• Quick YES/NO decision criteria at top
• Categorized tool lists with one-line descriptions
• Step-by-step workflows instead of prose
• Concise patterns as numbered action sequences
• Scannable format with bold keywords and bullet points

Fixed in 194afe1.