{
 "schema_version": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-31",
 "id": "oraios-serena--rename-symbols-across-files-in-one-call",
 "repo": "oraios/serena",
 "repo_url": "https://github.com/oraios/serena",
 "repo_slug": "oraios-serena",
 "title": "Rename a symbol across a codebase in one call",
 "page_title": "How to rename a symbol across a codebase in one call with Serena",
 "summary": "Use Serena's refactoring tools so a cross-file rename is one atomic call rather than many search and replace edits.",
 "who": "An engineer cleaning up naming in a multi-file project who has watched agents miss references during renames.",
 "problem": "Agents without refactoring tools fall back to search and replace, which is error-prone and expensive across files.",
 "outcome": "Symbols renamed everywhere they are referenced, with symbolic edits such as replace symbol body and safe delete.",
 "steps": [
  "Set up Serena as an MCP server in your client as in the Quick Start",
  "Ask the agent to use Serena's rename tool for the symbol; with language servers it renames symbols only",
  "Use replace symbol body, insert after symbol and safe delete for targeted edits",
  "For file and directory moves, inline or propagate deletions, use the JetBrains plugin backend",
  "Run your tests afterwards with your harness's shell tool"
 ],
 "agent_prompt": "Using oraios/serena's refactoring tools, rename <old symbol> to <new symbol> across this project, then safe delete <unused symbol>. List every file that changed and run the tests.",
 "agents": [
  "claude-code",
  "codex",
  "cursor",
  "gemini-cli"
 ],
 "difficulty": "Intermediate",
 "time": "15 minutes",
 "basis": "readme",
 "caveat": "Move, inline and propagate deletions are JetBrains plugin only, and that plugin is paid after the free trial.",
 "category": "Software and DevOps",
 "tags": [
  "Software and DevOps"
 ],
 "lang": "python",
 "requirements": [
  "uv, the only required prerequisite",
  "An MCP client such as Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini-CLI, Cursor, VS Code or a JetBrains assistant",
  "An LLM to drive the tools, since Serena itself does no reasoning",
  "For some languages, extra language server dependencies listed on the Language Support page",
  "Optional: the paid Serena JetBrains Plugin (free trial) for move, inline and debugging"
 ],
 "risk": "none",
 "seen_in_the_wild": false,
 "mentioned_publicly": false,
 "risks": [],
 "best": false,
 "score": 0.9,
 "evidence": [],
 "url": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/oraios-serena/rename-symbols-across-files-in-one-call/",
 "md": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/oraios-serena/rename-symbols-across-files-in-one-call/index.md",
 "disclaimer": "Deduped lists open-source repositories that belong to other people. We do not own, maintain, audit, or vouch for any of them, and a repo appearing here is not an endorsement or a safety check. The use cases, steps, and prompts are written by AI and may be incomplete, outdated, or just wrong. Where a use case is marked \"Seen in the wild\", we link to public posts where someone described something similar, but we have not verified those posts and the use case itself is still our AI's own write-up. Use all of this at your own risk. Only run code, commands, or agents on systems and accounts you are authorized to use, and read the code and every command before you run it, especially anything that touches credentials, files, or the network. Nothing here is professional, security, legal, or financial advice. All trademarks and project names belong to their respective owners, and their use here does not imply affiliation. Content is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. Found a mistake, a safety problem, or something you want removed? Email hello@dedupedai.com and we will look at it promptly.",
 "api": "https://dedupedai.com/api/v1/usecases/oraios-serena--rename-symbols-across-files-in-one-call.json",
 "api_version": "v1"
}