Encode Repository (Serena-Enhanced)

Transform an undocumented codebase into a rich, searchable knowledge repository using Serena's LSP-powered symbol analysis.

Quick Start

/encode-repo-serena
/encode-repo-serena ./my-project
"encode this repository"
"populate forgetful with this codebase"

Input	Output	Duration
Codebase path	Forgetful memories + entities + docs	30-60 min

Prerequisites

1. Serena plugin:

   claude plugins list | grep serena

2. Forgetful MCP: Test with

   execute_forgetful_tool("list_projects", {})

3. If missing, run

   /context-hub-setup

   first

Phase Overview

Phase	Focus	Output
0	Discovery	Project assessment, structure map
1	Foundation	5-10 project overview memories
1B	Dependencies	1-3 dependency memories
2	Symbols	10-15 architecture memories
2B	Entities	Component entities + relationships
3	Patterns	8-12 pattern memories
4	Features	1-2 per critical feature
5	Decisions	Design decision memories
6	Artifacts	Code artifact storage
6B	Symbol Index	Document + entry memory
7	Documents	Long-form documentation
7B	Architecture	Architecture reference doc

See references/phases.md for full phase details.

Memory Targets

Profile	Total Memories	Documents	Entities
Small Simple	17-31	2	3-5
Small Complex	28-46	2	5-10
Medium	38-66	2-3	10-20
Large	66-112	3-6	20-40

Execution Order

0 → 1 → 1B → 2 → 2B → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 6B → 7 → 7B

Guidelines:

• Execute phases in order
• Use Serena's

  find_symbol

  and

  find_referencing_symbols

• Deduplicate entities before creating
• Link entities to memories bidirectionally
• Create entry memories for documents

Quality Principles

Principle	Description
Symbol-accurate	Use LSP data, not guesses
Atomic	One concept per memory
Size	200-400 words ideal
Importance	Most should be 7-8
Linking	Connect related memories

Validation Checklist

After completion:

• Test memory search: "How do I add a new API endpoint?"
• Test dependency query: "What dependencies does this project use?"
• List entities by project
• Verify entity relationships
• Check Symbol Index document exists
• Check Architecture Reference document exists
• Verify project.notes populated

See references/validation.md for test commands.

References

Document	Content
phases.md	Detailed phase workflows
templates.md	Entity schemas, memory templates
validation.md	Validation test commands

Related Skills

• /context-hub-setup

  - Setup Forgetful MCP

• /using-forgetful-memory

  - Memory best practices

• /using-serena-symbols

  - Serena symbol analysis