roslyn-codelens-integration

Roslyn CodeLens — Superpowers Integration

Prerequisites

This skill requires the roslyn-codelens MCP server (24 tools). Install via:

claude install gh:MarcelRoozekrans/roslyn-codelens-mcp

Detection

Check if find_implementations is available as an MCP tool. If not, this skill is inert — do nothing. No errors, no degradation.

Overview

This skill enhances every superpowers skill with semantic .NET code intelligence. When roslyn-codelens tools are detected on a .NET codebase, use them instead of Grep/Glob for structural code queries and instead of dotnet build for diagnostics — regardless of which superpowers skill is driving the session.

Core principle: Grep finds text. Roslyn understands code. Use Roslyn for structure, Grep for content.

For the full rule set, red-flag table, rationalization counters, and pre-action checklist, the roslyn-codelens skill is authoritative — this integration skill points at the specific superpowers phases where those rules bite hardest.

The Iron Law (summary)

On a .NET codebase where roslyn-codelens tools are available:

1. No Grep/Glob/rg for C# symbols (types, members, interfaces, references, callers, implementations, attributes, reflection patterns).
2. No dotnet build/msbuild for compiler errors, warnings, or analyzer diagnostics — use get_diagnostics.
3. No manual "read-and-scan" of .cs files to answer structural questions — use get_file_overview / get_type_overview / analyze_method.

Violating the letter of these rules violates the spirit. If the Bash/Grep/Glob/Read you're about to run substitutes for a semantic tool, stop and use the tool.

Red Flags — STOP and Use the MCP Tool

Thought	STOP — Use instead
"Let me Grep for the type / method / interface name"	search_symbols / find_references / find_callers / find_implementations
"Let me Grep for [Attribute]"	find_attribute_usages
"Let me Grep for Activator.CreateInstance / MethodInfo.Invoke"	find_reflection_usage
"I'll run dotnet build to see errors"	get_diagnostics
"Let me Read the .cs file to see what's in it"	get_file_overview / get_type_overview
"Let me Glob for **/*Service.cs"	search_symbols with a partial name

Rationalizations — and why they're wrong

Excuse	Reality
"Just a quick Grep — it's faster."	It isn't. One find_references beats iterating Grep + deduping false positives.
"Grep as a sanity check on the MCP result."	Redundant and misleading — Grep catches comments, strings, partial matches.
"dotnet build is how we check errors."	Not here. get_diagnostics is milliseconds and includes analyzer results.
"The MCP server might be slow or fail."	If it fails, report it. Do not silently fall back to Grep — wrong answers that look right.
"This is just a string search anyway."	A C# symbol is not "just a string" — it binds. Use find_references. Comments/literals are the only free Grep pass.
"The user said to Grep."	If they meant "find all usages," use the semantic tool and say why. If they literally want a textual grep, ask.

Announce Line

When this skill activates alongside any superpowers skill:

"Roslyn CodeLens tools detected. I'll use semantic code intelligence for all structural queries and diagnostics."

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Brainstorming Integration

When brainstorming is active on a .NET codebase and roslyn tools are available, enhance each phase:

Phase 1: Explore Project Context

Before asking clarifying questions, build architectural context:

1. get_project_dependencies — understand solution architecture and how projects relate.
2. get_symbol_context on types mentioned in the user's request — full context dump (namespace, base class, interfaces, DI dependencies, public members).
3. get_nuget_dependencies — know what external packages are in play (frameworks, libraries, analyzers).
4. get_source_generators — check if source generators produce code relevant to the area under discussion.
5. Present architecture summary alongside your first clarifying question.

Phase 2: Clarifying Questions

Ground your questions in actual architecture:

• find_implementations — know all implementors before asking "should we extend this?"
• get_type_hierarchy — understand inheritance chains before asking about extension points.
• find_callers — know the blast radius before asking "should we change this API?"
• find_references — comprehensive reference count to gauge coupling.
• find_attribute_usages — discover attribute-driven behaviors (authorization, serialization, validation) that constrain options.
• search_symbols — fuzzy-find related types when the user mentions a concept by partial name.

Phase 3: Proposing Approaches

Back each approach with concrete evidence:

• get_di_registrations — how is the current wiring set up? What lifetimes are in use?
• find_reflection_usage — are there hidden couplings that constrain options?
• get_type_hierarchy — what extension points already exist?
• get_diagnostics — are there existing warnings or analyzer findings in the area?
• get_code_fixes — can any existing issues be addressed as part of the proposed change?
• get_complexity_metrics — is the area already complex enough to warrant simplification?
• find_circular_dependencies — will any approach introduce or break a dependency cycle?

Phase 4: Design Presentation

Reference concrete types, interfaces, and call sites. Not "the services that implement the interface" but:

"These 4 classes implement IUserService: UserService, CachedUserService, MockUserService, AdminUserService."

Use go_to_definition to link to exact source locations when referencing types in the design.

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Refactor Analysis Integration

When refactor-analysis is active on a .NET codebase and roslyn tools are available, replace text-based search in key phases:

Phase 2: Direct Dependency Mapping

Replace Grep with semantic tools:

Text Search	Roslyn Replacement	Why
Grep for type name in imports	find_references on the type	Finds every reference, not just string matches
Grep for method name	find_callers on the specific method	Excludes unrelated methods with the same name
Grep for interface name	find_implementations	Finds all implementors, including indirect ones
Grep for file path	go_to_definition to verify, then find_references	Semantic, not string-based
Grep for attribute usage	find_attribute_usages	Finds all decorated types/members accurately
Glob for related files	search_symbols for related types	Discovers by symbol name, not file name

Also call get_symbol_context for each target — one call gives namespace, base class, interfaces, DI dependencies, and public members.

Phase 3: Transitive Closure

Replace iterative text search with semantic traversal:

• get_type_hierarchy — walk up and down inheritance chains to find all affected types.
• get_project_dependencies — understand which projects are affected and in what order.
• get_symbol_context — for each newly discovered affected type, check full context for additional transitive impacts.
• get_nuget_dependencies — identify external package boundaries where the ripple stops.
• find_circular_dependencies — detect cycles in the dependency graph that complicate execution order.

Phase 5: Risk Identification

Replace text-based risk detection with semantic analysis:

Risk Category	Text Search	Roslyn Replacement
Dynamic references	Grep for string literals	find_reflection_usage — detects Activator.CreateInstance, MethodInfo.Invoke, assembly scanning
Attribute-driven behavior	Grep for [AttributeName]	find_attribute_usages — finds all decorated members accurately
Dead code	Manual inspection	find_unused_symbols — reference-based dead code detection
Complexity hotspots	Manual review	get_complexity_metrics — cyclomatic complexity per method
Naming inconsistencies	Manual review	find_naming_violations — convention compliance check
Oversized types	Manual review	find_large_classes — types that may need splitting
Compiler/analyzer warnings	dotnet build output	get_diagnostics — structured errors, warnings, and analyzer results
Auto-fixable issues	Manual interpretation	get_code_fixes — structured text edits for diagnostics
Generated code coupling	File search for *.g.cs	get_source_generators + get_generated_code — inspect generator output for coupling

Flag any reflection-based reference as high risk — these are invisible to refactoring tools and IDEs.

Phase 6: Safe Execution Order

Use get_project_dependencies and find_circular_dependencies to inform the topological sort. Project-level dependency ordering ensures cross-project changes compile at each checkpoint.

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Systematic Debugging Integration

When systematic-debugging is active on a .NET codebase:

• Reproduce / isolate: use get_diagnostics first — any compiler or analyzer finding in the suspect file narrows the search instantly.
• Trace symbol usage: use find_callers and find_references instead of Grep — false-positive-free call paths.
• Check hidden wiring: use get_di_registrations (wrong lifetime / duplicate registration), find_reflection_usage (invisible dependencies), find_attribute_usages (authorization / serialization / filter pipelines).
• Trace data flow: use analyze_data_flow on the suspect statement range — shows what's declared / read / written / captured.
• Trace control flow: use analyze_control_flow to detect unreachable code or missing returns.
• Inspect generator output: use get_generated_code when the bug may live in source-generated code (records, DI, Mediator, etc.).

Test-Driven Development Integration

When test-driven-development is active on a .NET codebase:

• Before writing the test: use get_symbol_context and analyze_method on the target — verify the contract you're about to test.
• After GREEN: use get_diagnostics to catch analyzer warnings introduced by new code. Do not run dotnet build for this.
• During REFACTOR: use get_code_actions + apply_code_action (preview mode) for standard refactorings (extract method, inline variable, generate constructor). Safer than hand-editing.
• Verify no regressions in callers: use find_callers on the refactored method to confirm the call sites still compile (then get_diagnostics to prove it).

Executing Plans / Subagent-Driven Development Integration

When executing-plans or subagent-driven-development is active on a .NET codebase:

• Before starting a task: use get_type_overview and analyze_change_impact on the target symbol to scope the task precisely.
• Between tasks: use get_diagnostics to verify the checkpoint compiles clean — replaces running dotnet build between subagent handoffs.
• For subagent prompts: cite concrete symbol names, file paths, and reference counts obtained from the MCP tools. Subagents should not have to re-discover the graph.
• After each subagent completes: use get_diagnostics to confirm no new warnings/errors before moving to the next task.

Verification / Code Review / Pre-Push Integration

When verification-before-completion, requesting-code-review, receiving-code-review, or pre-push-review is active on a .NET codebase:

• Check the build without running it: get_diagnostics is the verification command. dotnet build is not required and should not be used for this purpose.
• Dead code scan: find_unused_symbols catches symbols the PR left orphaned.
• Complexity regression: get_complexity_metrics flags methods whose complexity grew during the change.
• Naming drift: find_naming_violations on touched files.
• Circular dependency guard: find_circular_dependencies after refactors that moved code across projects.
• Change impact confirmation: analyze_change_impact on the main changed symbols — does the blast radius match the PR description?

Writing Plans Integration

When writing-plans is active on a .NET codebase:

• Cite concrete types, interface names, and call-site counts from find_callers / find_references / find_implementations in the plan — never vague phrasing like "the services that use this."
• Use analyze_change_impact to enumerate the affected files per task and set a realistic task count.
• Use get_project_dependencies to order tasks so each checkpoint compiles.

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Solution Management

These tools apply across all skill integrations whenever multiple solutions are involved:

At Session Start

Call list_solutions at the start of any session to see all loaded solutions, which one is active, how many projects each has, and their status. If more than one solution is loaded and the user's request targets a specific one, call set_active_solution with a partial name (e.g., set_active_solution("ProjectB")).

After Structural Changes

Call rebuild_solution after any of these events:

• Adding or removing NuGet packages
• Modifying Directory.Build.props or global analyzer configuration
• Adding or removing projects from the solution
• When get_diagnostics returns stale or unexpected results

This forces a full reload — re-opens the .sln / .slnx, recompiles all projects, and rebuilds all indexes. Do not call it speculatively; only call it when there is a reason to believe the analysis is out of date.

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Tool Quick Reference

Tool	Brainstorming Phase	Refactor Analysis Phase
find_implementations	P2: know implementors	P2: semantic dependency mapping
find_callers	P2: blast radius	P2: find all call sites
find_references	P2: coupling gauge	P2: comprehensive reference search
go_to_definition	P4: link to sources	P2: verify locations
search_symbols	P2: fuzzy discovery	P2: find related types
get_type_hierarchy	P2: inheritance chains	P3: transitive closure
get_symbol_context	P1: type context dump	P2/P3: full context per target
get_di_registrations	P3: wiring and lifetimes	P2: DI-based dependencies
get_project_dependencies	P1: architecture overview	P3/P6: project-level ordering
get_nuget_dependencies	P1: external packages	P3: package boundaries
find_reflection_usage	P3: hidden couplings	P5: reflection risk detection
find_attribute_usages	P2: attribute behaviors	P2/P5: decorated members
get_diagnostics	P3: existing warnings	P5: compiler/analyzer findings
get_code_fixes	P3: auto-fixable issues	P5: structured fix suggestions
find_unused_symbols	—	P5: dead code detection
get_complexity_metrics	P3: complexity gauge	P5: complexity hotspots
find_naming_violations	—	P5: naming compliance
find_large_classes	—	P5: oversized types
find_circular_dependencies	P3: cycle detection	P3/P5/P6: dependency cycles
get_source_generators	P1: generator awareness	P5: generated code coupling
get_generated_code	—	P5: inspect generator output
list_solutions	Session start (multi-solution)	Session start (multi-solution)
set_active_solution	When user targets specific project	When user targets specific project
rebuild_solution	After structural changes	After structural changes

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Workflow Red Flags

(The tool-level STOP table is near the top of this skill. These are higher-level workflow traps.)

1. Using Grep for structural queries when Roslyn is available — Grep finds text, not semantics. find_callers is always more accurate than grepping for a method name.

2. Running dotnet build for diagnostics when Roslyn is available — get_diagnostics returns the same errors plus analyzer results, structured as data. Never shell out to MSBuild when the MCP tool exists.

3. Skipping find_reflection_usage during risk identification — Reflection-based references are the most dangerous because they're invisible to normal refactoring. Always check.

4. Not calling get_project_dependencies at brainstorming start — Without the project graph, you're guessing at architecture. One call gives you the full picture.

5. Reporting "no dependencies found" without checking Roslyn — If Grep found nothing but Roslyn is available, verify with find_callers / find_references before concluding there are no dependencies.

6. Ignoring find_unused_symbols during refactor analysis — Dead code detection is free and prevents wasting effort on code that should be deleted rather than refactored.

Relationship to Superpowers Skills

Superpowers Skill	Relationship	Notes
superpowers:brainstorming	Always-on when detected. Enhances all 4 phases with semantic code intelligence. Grounds clarifying questions and approach proposals in actual architecture.	Falls back to Grep/Glob when roslyn tools are not available.
refactor-analysis	Always-on when detected. Replaces text search in Phase 2 (dependency mapping), Phase 3 (transitive closure), Phase 5 (risk identification), and informs Phase 6 (execution order).	Falls back to text-based approach when roslyn tools are not available.
superpowers:writing-plans	Always-on when detected. Plans cite concrete symbols and reference counts obtained from the MCP tools; task ordering uses get_project_dependencies.	—
superpowers:executing-plans	Always-on when detected. get_diagnostics replaces dotnet build at checkpoints; analyze_change_impact scopes each task.	—
superpowers:subagent-driven-development	Always-on when detected. Subagent prompts carry concrete symbol data from the MCP tools; get_diagnostics verifies each handoff.	Subagents should also use roslyn tools directly if available.
superpowers:systematic-debugging	Always-on when detected. get_diagnostics, find_callers, find_reflection_usage, get_di_registrations, analyze_data_flow, analyze_control_flow, get_generated_code replace Grep/Read-based investigation.	—
superpowers:test-driven-development	Always-on when detected. get_diagnostics replaces dotnet build after GREEN; get_code_actions / apply_code_action for REFACTOR.	—
superpowers:verification-before-completion	Always-on when detected. get_diagnostics, find_unused_symbols, get_complexity_metrics, analyze_change_impact are the verification commands.	dotnet build is not required for verification.
superpowers:requesting-code-review / receiving-code-review	Always-on when detected. Reviewers and review responses reference concrete MCP findings rather than text-search approximations.	—
pre-push-review	Always-on when detected. Dead code, complexity regression, naming drift, and dependency cycles are checked via the MCP tools before push.	—
decision-tracker	No interaction. Operates on cross-cutting decisions, not code structure.	Independent — both can be active simultaneously.