find_references

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[references]

Finds all references to a symbol. Requires a symbolKey (use resolve_symbol or search_symbols to get one). Supports scope/filtering/grouping/paging.

Why this tool exists

Safe edits depend on knowing real references, implementations, overrides, and unused members rather than matching text.

How it helps the agent

The model can see where code is actually used and avoid changing the wrong overload, interface, or similarly named member.

Try it locally in the GliderMCP playground

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
symbolKey	string	Yes	Opaque symbolKey from search_symbols, resolve_symbol, get_symbol_at_position, or any tool that returns symbolKey. Not a name.
scope	json	No	Optional scope. Example: { "kind": "solution" } or { "kind": "project", "projectName": "MyProject" }. Set includeExternal=true where supported.
referenceKinds	string	No	Optional filter (comma-separated): 'Read,Write,Invocation,TypeArgument,NameOf,Attribute'.
includeLineText	boolean	No	Include lineText for each reference. Default is true.
maxLineTextChars	number	No	Max characters for lineText. Use 0 for unlimited. Default is 200.
groupBy	string	No	Grouping: 'file', 'project', 'containingSymbol', or 'none' (default).
pathStyle	string	No	Path style: 'absolute' (default) or 'relative' (to solution root).
skip	number	No	Pagination offset. Default is 0.
take	number	No	Pagination size. Default is 200.

Examples

Find references for a symbolKey

Request 
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "find_references",
    "arguments": {
      "symbolKey": "..."
    }
  }
}

Response 
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "symbolKey": "...",
    "referenceCount": 15,
    "paging": {
      "skip": 0,
      "take": 200,
      "returned": 15,
      "total": 15
    },
    "references": [
      {
        "filePath": "/path/to/Program.cs",
        "lineNumber": 9,
        "column": 35,
        "lineText": "builder.Services.AddSingleton<ISolutionManager, SolutionManager>();",
        "projectName": "MyProject",
        "referenceKind": "TypeArgument"
      }
    ]
  },
  "error": null
}

Response Notes

Returns reference locations (with paging)

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