MCP server
Serena MCP Server
- Maintainer
- Community
- Runs
- Local (stdio)
- Repo
- oraios/serena
- GitHub
- ★ 30,682, last push 2026-10-20 (checked 2026-10-24)
- Registry
- io.github.oraios/serena
Install the Serena MCP Server
Pick your client. Each tab starts the same local command. Config shapes checked against each client's docs on 2026-10-25.
Run in a terminal. Everything after -- is the command that starts the server. docs
claude mcp add --transport stdio serena -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
Claude Desktop only: Settings > Developer > Edit Config opens claude_desktop_config.json. Add this, save and restart the app. docs
{
"mcpServers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (this project), or use the install button. docs
{
"mcpServers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to .vscode/mcp.json (note the "servers" key and the type), or use the install button. Command Palette > "MCP: Open User Configuration" for all workspaces. docs
{
"servers": {
"serena": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Run codex mcp add serena -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server, or add this to ~/.codex/config.toml. docs
[mcp_servers.serena] command = "uvx" args = ["--from", "git+https://github.com/oraios/serena", "serena", "start-mcp-server"]
Run in a terminal (-s user adds it for all projects; the default is this project). docs
gemini mcp add -s user serena uvx -- --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
Run in a terminal; it writes ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json. docs
copilot mcp add serena -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
Add to mcp_config.json: ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json on macOS and Linux (older installs: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json), %APPDATA%\devin\ on Windows. docs
{
"mcpServers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to Zed's settings.json (or Settings > AI > MCP Servers > Add Server). Remote servers without an Authorization header sign in with OAuth. docs
{
"context_servers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Add to opencode.json in the project (or ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json). docs
{
"$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
"mcp": {
"serena": {
"type": "local",
"command": [
"uvx",
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
],
"enabled": true
}
}
}Add to ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json (all projects) or .kiro/settings/mcp.json (this project). docs
{
"mcpServers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}MCP Servers > Configure > Configure MCP Servers opens cline_mcp_settings.json; add this entry. docs
{
"mcpServers": {
"serena": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/oraios/serena",
"serena",
"start-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}Security notes
- The local server runs with your user's permissions (the command starts it on your machine).
- It can change code and repositories. Review what it writes before you push.
- Community code: read it (or at least the tools it registers) before you give it credentials.
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FAQ
What does the Serena MCP Server do?+
Semantic code search and editing with language servers: find symbols and references instead of grepping.
Is the Serena MCP server official?+
Community-maintained (oraios on GitHub), not by the company whose product it connects to.
How do I add Serena to Claude Code?+
Run: claude mcp add serena -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server. Add --scope project to share it with your team through .mcp.json.
How do I use the Serena MCP server in Cursor or VS Code?+
Open the Cursor or VS Code tab above: it has the mcp.json entry and a one-click install link. Cursor uses the "mcpServers" key; VS Code uses "servers" and needs a type ("stdio").
Does Serena work in ChatGPT and claude.ai?+
No: it runs locally over stdio, and ChatGPT and claude.ai only connect to remote servers. Use it in Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code or another client that can start a local process.
What are the alternatives to the Serena MCP server?+
Other developer tools & git MCP servers: GitHub, Keploy, Mobilerun, Azure DevOps and MATLAB.