diff --git a/.serena/memories/repl.md b/.serena/memories/repl.md
index 0b67db46..86c8afb4 100644
--- a/.serena/memories/repl.md
+++ b/.serena/memories/repl.md
@@ -90,6 +90,14 @@ expression is the result. No `return` (a top-level `return` yields a SyntaxError
 - Python code can always modify the system; the REPL tool is inherently fully privileged, regardless of
   facade scope or the project's `read_only` setting (which only makes Serena's own API refuse edits).
   A "read-only REPL" is not feasible and must not be promised.
+- External projects (`s.ext`): `list_projects()`, `project_context(name)` (a `with`-able context; not nestable).
+  Within it, the agent's active project is temporarily switched (`active_project_context`) and the facades are
+  read-only (`can_edit` methods raise). Methods marked `@facade_method(uses_project_server=True)` (all of `lsp`)
+  are executed in the project server via `/call_facade_method` ({facade, method, args, kwargs} as JSON, result
+  pickled; the server is a trusted local process) when the LSP backend is active; with JetBrains they run locally
+  (the IDE serves all projects). Result objects must be self-contained/picklable: renderers hold no agent (only the
+  default length limit), LSP results carry eagerly retrieved info and reference contexts, no lambdas in output
+  params. Replaces the query_project/list_queryable_projects tools in the REPL.
 - Project activation (activate_project) and initial_instructions stay tool-only (activation rebuilds the REPL);
   Serena's configuration/session state (config overview, dashboard; later e.g. modes) lives in the `cfg` facade.
   Computed conditions (read-only project, dashboard not openable) are applied to the API scope in
diff --git a/src/serena/agent.py b/src/serena/agent.py
index 4e8d16ad..2b0de256 100644
--- a/src/serena/agent.py
+++ b/src/serena/agent.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ from serena.project import Project
 from serena.prompt_factory import SerenaPromptFactory
 from serena.repl.api.cfg_api import ConfigApi
 from serena.repl.api.edit_api import EditApi
+from serena.repl.api.ext_api import ExternalProjectsApi
 from serena.repl.api.fs_api import FsApi
 from serena.repl.api.jb_api import JetBrainsApi
 from serena.repl.api.lsp_api import LspApi
@@ -1326,6 +1327,7 @@ class SerenaAgent:
                 Facade.from_api(EditApi(self), api_scope),
                 Facade.from_api(MemoryApi(self), api_scope),
                 Facade.from_api(ShellApi(self), api_scope),
+                Facade.from_api(ExternalProjectsApi(self), api_scope),
             ]
             if self._language_backend.is_lsp():
                 facades.append(Facade.from_api(LspApi(self), api_scope))
diff --git a/src/serena/project_server.py b/src/serena/project_server.py
index 279f8523..4deaa7c3 100644
--- a/src/serena/project_server.py
+++ b/src/serena/project_server.py
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 
 import json
 import logging
+import pickle
 import threading
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
 import requests as requests_lib
-from flask import Flask, request
+from flask import Flask, Response, request
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 from sensai.util.logging import LogTime
 
@@ -33,6 +34,19 @@ class QueryProjectRequest(BaseModel):
     tool_params_json: str
 
 
+class CallFacadeMethodRequest(BaseModel):
+    """
+    Request model for the /call_facade_method endpoint: the execution of a (read-only) REPL facade method
+    in the context of a project.
+    """
+
+    project_name: str
+    facade_name: str
+    method_name: str
+    args: list[Any]
+    kwargs: dict[str, Any]
+
+
 class ProjectServer:
     """
     A lightweight Flask server that exposes a SerenaAgent's project querying
@@ -86,6 +100,18 @@ class ProjectServer:
             query_request = QueryProjectRequest.model_validate(request.get_json())
             return self._query_project(query_request)
 
+        @self._app.route("/call_facade_method", methods=["POST"])
+        def call_facade_method() -> Response:
+            call_request = CallFacadeMethodRequest.model_validate(request.get_json())
+            try:
+                result = self._call_facade_method(call_request)
+            except Exception as e:
+                # report the error to the client (which raises it in the REPL) instead of a generic server error page
+                log.warning("Facade method call failed: %s", e)
+                return Response(f"{type(e).__name__}: {e}", status=400, mimetype="text/plain")
+            # NOTE: the result is pickled; the client (a Serena instance on the same machine) unpickles it
+            return Response(pickle.dumps(result), mimetype="application/octet-stream")
+
     def _get_project(self, project_root_or_name: str) -> "Project":
         """Gets the project with the given name, loading it if necessary."""
         serena_config = self._agent.serena_config
@@ -136,6 +162,20 @@ class ProjectServer:
             params = json.loads(req.tool_params_json)
             return tool.apply_ex(**params)
 
+    def _call_facade_method(self, req: CallFacadeMethodRequest) -> Any:
+        """
+        Handles a /call_facade_method request by executing the facade method on the agent's REPL facades in the
+        context of the specified project (see `_query_project` regarding the lock).
+        Only methods which use the project server and do not edit are admissible.
+        """
+        project = self._get_project(req.project_name)
+        with self._active_project_lock, self._agent.active_project_context(project):
+            facade = self._agent.get_repl().entrypoint.get_facade_(req.facade_name)
+            method = facade.get_method(req.method_name)
+            if not method.enabled or method.info.can_edit or not method.info.uses_project_server:
+                raise ValueError(f"Method '{req.facade_name}.{req.method_name}' cannot be executed via the project server")
+            return self._agent.execute_task(lambda: method(*req.args, **req.kwargs))
+
     def run(self) -> None:
         """
         Run the server on the given host and port.
@@ -158,12 +198,14 @@ class ProjectServerClient:
     :class:`ConnectionError` is raised.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, host: str = "127.0.0.1", port: int = ProjectServer.PORT, timeout: int = 300) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, host: str = "127.0.0.1", port: int | None = None, timeout: int = 300) -> None:
         """
         :param host: the host address of the project server.
-        :param port: the port of the project server.
+        :param port: the port of the project server; None for the default port.
         :raises ConnectionError: if the project server is not reachable.
         """
+        if port is None:
+            port = ProjectServer.PORT
         self._base_url = f"http://{host}:{port}"
         self._timeout = timeout
 
@@ -197,3 +239,22 @@ class ProjectServerClient:
         response = requests_lib.post(f"{self._base_url}/query_project", json=payload, timeout=self._timeout)
         response.raise_for_status()
         return response.text
+
+    def call_facade_method(self, project_name: str, facade_name: str, method_name: str, args: list[Any], kwargs: dict[str, Any]) -> Any:
+        """
+        Executes a (read-only) REPL facade method in the context of a project.
+
+        :param project_name: the name of the project to query
+        :param facade_name: the facade's name
+        :param method_name: the method's name
+        :param args: the positional arguments (JSON-serialisable)
+        :param kwargs: the keyword arguments (JSON-serialisable)
+        :return: the method's result, as returned by the server (unpickled; the server is a trusted local process)
+        """
+        payload = CallFacadeMethodRequest(
+            project_name=project_name, facade_name=facade_name, method_name=method_name, args=args, kwargs=kwargs
+        ).model_dump()
+        response = requests_lib.post(f"{self._base_url}/call_facade_method", json=payload, timeout=self._timeout)
+        if not response.ok:
+            raise ValueError(f"Project server error ({response.status_code}): {response.text[:2000]}")
+        return pickle.loads(response.content)
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/api/ext_api.py b/src/serena/repl/api/ext_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c559935d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/serena/repl/api/ext_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+"""
+The implementation of access to external projects (projects other than the active one).
+"""
+
+from types import TracebackType
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from serena.jetbrains.jetbrains_plugin_client import JetBrainsPluginClientManager
+from serena.tools import ListQueryableProjectsTool, QueryProjectTool
+
+from ..external_project import ExternalProjectContext
+from ..facade import FacadeApi, facade_method
+from ..representable import JsonObject, JsonObjectRenderer
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from serena.agent import SerenaAgent
+
+
+class ExternalProjectContextManager:
+    """
+    A context manager (for use in a `with` statement) within which the facades operate on an external project
+    (read-only): the external project is temporarily activated, and operations requiring language servers are
+    executed in the project's server. Contexts cannot be nested.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, agent: "SerenaAgent", project_name: str) -> None:
+        """
+        :param agent: the agent
+        :param project_name: the name (or root path) of the registered external project
+        """
+        self._agent = agent
+        self._project_name = project_name
+        self._active_project_context = None
+
+    def __enter__(self) -> None:
+        entrypoint = self._agent.get_repl().entrypoint
+        if entrypoint.get_external_project_() is not None:
+            raise ValueError("External project contexts cannot be nested")
+
+        # temporarily activate the external project
+        registered_project = self._agent.serena_config.get_registered_project(self._project_name)
+        if registered_project is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Project '{self._project_name}' is not registered and cannot be queried")
+        project = registered_project.get_project_instance(self._agent.serena_config)
+        self._active_project_context = self._agent.active_project_context(project)
+        self._active_project_context.__enter__()
+
+        # switch the facades to the external project (remote execution of language server operations for the LSP backend)
+        remote_execution = self._agent.get_language_backend().is_lsp()
+        entrypoint.set_external_project_(ExternalProjectContext(registered_project.project_name, remote_execution))
+
+    def __exit__(self, exc_type: type[BaseException] | None, exc_value: BaseException | None, traceback: TracebackType | None) -> None:
+        self._agent.get_repl().entrypoint.set_external_project_(None)
+        assert self._active_project_context is not None
+        self._active_project_context.__exit__(exc_type, exc_value, traceback)
+
+
+class ExternalProjectsApi(FacadeApi):
+    def __init__(self, agent: "SerenaAgent") -> None:
+        super().__init__(agent, name="ext", description="read-only access to external projects (projects other than the active one)")
+
+    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=ListQueryableProjectsTool)
+    def list_projects(self, symbol_access: bool = True) -> JsonObject:
+        """
+        Lists the registered projects which can be queried.
+
+        :param symbol_access: whether to list only projects for which symbol-level access is available
+        :return: the project names mapped to their root directories
+        """
+        registered_projects = self._agent.serena_config.projects
+        if symbol_access and self._agent.get_language_backend().is_jetbrains():
+            # only projects with open IDE instances can be queried
+            matched_clients = JetBrainsPluginClientManager().match_clients(registered_projects)
+            relevant_projects = [mc.registered_project for mc in matched_clients]
+        else:
+            # all projects can be queried (the project server instantiates projects dynamically)
+            relevant_projects = registered_projects
+        result = {p.project_name: str(p.project_root) for p in relevant_projects}
+        return JsonObject(result, JsonObjectRenderer(self._agent, -1))
+
+    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=QueryProjectTool)
+    def project_context(self, project_name: str) -> ExternalProjectContextManager:
+        """
+        Provides a context (for use in a `with` statement) within which all facades operate on the given external
+        project instead of the active one, with read-only access: e.g.
+        `with s.ext.project_context("other"): result = s.lsp.find_symbol("Foo")`.
+        Results obtained within the context can be used after it (they are self-contained).
+
+        :param project_name: the name (or root path) of the project, as listed by `list_projects`
+        :return: the context manager
+        """
+        return ExternalProjectContextManager(self._agent, project_name)
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/api/lsp_api.py b/src/serena/repl/api/lsp_api.py
index 8d827ff6..f7866f5b 100644
--- a/src/serena/repl/api/lsp_api.py
+++ b/src/serena/repl/api/lsp_api.py
@@ -47,13 +47,20 @@ class LspSymbolCollection(RepresentableViaRenderer):
 
     symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol]
 
-    def __init__(self, symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol], renderer: "LspSymbolCollectionRenderer"):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol],
+        renderer: "LspSymbolCollectionRenderer",
+        info_by_symbol: dict[LanguageServerSymbol, str] | None = None,
+    ):
         """
         :param symbols: the list of symbols
         :param renderer: the renderer to use for representing the collection
+        :param info_by_symbol: additional (hover-like) info per symbol, if requested
         """
         super().__init__(renderer)
         self.symbols = symbols
+        self.info_by_symbol_ = info_by_symbol or {}
 
     def __len__(self) -> int:
         return len(self.symbols)
@@ -72,13 +79,15 @@ class LspSymbol(RepresentableViaRenderer):
 
     symbol: LanguageServerSymbol
 
-    def __init__(self, symbol: LanguageServerSymbol, renderer: "LspSymbolRenderer"):
+    def __init__(self, symbol: LanguageServerSymbol, renderer: "LspSymbolRenderer", info: str | None = None):
         """
         :param symbol: the symbol
         :param renderer: the renderer to use for representing the symbol
+        :param info: additional (hover-like) info on the symbol, if requested
         """
         super().__init__(renderer)
         self.symbol = symbol
+        self.info_ = info
 
 
 @dataclass(kw_only=True)
@@ -108,19 +117,20 @@ class LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(Renderer[LspSymbolCollection]):
         self,
         agent: "SerenaAgent",
         max_answer_chars: int,
-        symbol_retriever: LanguageServerSymbolRetriever,
         output_params: SymbolOutputParams,
         grouper: SymbolDictGrouper | None = None,
     ):
         super().__init__(agent, max_answer_chars)
-        self._symbol_retriever = symbol_retriever
         self._output_params = output_params
         self._grouper = grouper
 
-    def symbol_dicts_(self, symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol]) -> list[LanguageServerSymbol.OutputDict]:
+    def symbol_dicts_(
+        self, symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol], info_by_symbol: dict[LanguageServerSymbol, str]
+    ) -> list[LanguageServerSymbol.OutputDict]:
         """
         :param symbols: the symbols to convert
-        :return: the dict representations of the symbols according to the output parameters (including info, if requested)
+        :param info_by_symbol: additional info to include per symbol, if any
+        :return: the dict representations of the symbols according to the output parameters (including the info)
         """
         p = self._output_params
         symbol_dicts = [
@@ -140,14 +150,12 @@ class LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(Renderer[LspSymbolCollection]):
             )
             for s in symbols
         ]
-        if not p.include_body and p.include_info:
-            info_by_symbol = self._symbol_retriever.request_info_for_symbol_batch(symbols)
-            for s, s_dict in zip(symbols, symbol_dicts, strict=True):
-                if symbol_info := info_by_symbol.get(s):
-                    # In python 3.15 we could specify extra_items=True in the TypedDict definition,
-                    # https://peps.python.org/pep-0728/
-                    # If we ever upgrade to 3.15, we can remove the type: ignore[typeddict-unknown-key]
-                    s_dict["info"] = symbol_info
+        for s, s_dict in zip(symbols, symbol_dicts, strict=True):
+            if symbol_info := info_by_symbol.get(s):
+                # In python 3.15 we could specify extra_items=True in the TypedDict definition,
+                # https://peps.python.org/pep-0728/
+                # If we ever upgrade to 3.15, we can remove the type: ignore[typeddict-unknown-key]
+                s_dict["info"] = symbol_info
         return symbol_dicts
 
     def _group(self, symbol_dicts: list[LanguageServerSymbol.OutputDict]) -> Any:
@@ -157,7 +165,7 @@ class LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(Renderer[LspSymbolCollection]):
         def create_short_result_relative_path_to_name_paths() -> str:
             return f"Shortened result:\n{TextOutputUtils.to_json(obj.relative_path_to_name_paths_())}"
 
-        result = self._to_json(self._group(self.symbol_dicts_(obj.symbols)))
+        result = self._to_json(self._group(self.symbol_dicts_(obj.symbols, obj.info_by_symbol_)))
         return self._limit_length(result, shortened_result_factories=[create_short_result_relative_path_to_name_paths])
 
 
@@ -171,7 +179,8 @@ class LspSymbolRenderer(Renderer[LspSymbol]):
         self._collection_renderer = collection_renderer
 
     def render(self, obj: LspSymbol) -> str:
-        symbol_dict = self._collection_renderer.symbol_dicts_([obj.symbol])[0]
+        info_by_symbol = {obj.symbol: obj.info_} if obj.info_ else {}
+        symbol_dict = self._collection_renderer.symbol_dicts_([obj.symbol], info_by_symbol)[0]
         return self._limit_length(self._to_json(symbol_dict))
 
 
@@ -182,7 +191,7 @@ class LspSymbolsOverviewRenderer(LspSymbolCollectionRenderer):
     """
 
     def render(self, obj: LspSymbolCollection) -> str:
-        symbol_dicts = self.symbol_dicts_(obj.symbols)
+        symbol_dicts = self.symbol_dicts_(obj.symbols, obj.info_by_symbol_)
         result = self._to_json(self._group(symbol_dicts))
 
         def make_kind_counts() -> str:
@@ -210,13 +219,20 @@ class LspReferenceCollection(RepresentableViaRenderer):
 
     references: list[ReferenceInLanguageServerSymbol]
 
-    def __init__(self, references: list[ReferenceInLanguageServerSymbol], renderer: "LspReferenceCollectionRenderer"):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        references: list[ReferenceInLanguageServerSymbol],
+        contents_around_references: list[str],
+        renderer: "LspReferenceCollectionRenderer",
+    ):
         """
         :param references: the references
+        :param contents_around_references: for each reference, the code around it (for display)
         :param renderer: the renderer to use for representing the collection
         """
         super().__init__(renderer)
         self.references = references
+        self.contents_around_references_ = contents_around_references
 
     def __len__(self) -> int:
         return len(self.references)
@@ -233,18 +249,11 @@ class LspReferenceCollectionRenderer(Renderer[LspReferenceCollection]):
         self._grouper = grouper
 
     def render(self, obj: LspReferenceCollection) -> str:
-        project = self._agent.get_active_project_or_raise()
-
         reference_dicts = []
         ref_summaries = []
-        for ref in obj.references:
+        for ref, content_around_ref in zip(obj.references, obj.contents_around_references_, strict=True):
             ref_dict = dict(ref.symbol.to_dict(kind=True, relative_path=True, depth=0, body=False, body_location=True))
-            ref_relative_path = ref.symbol.location.relative_path
-            assert ref_relative_path is not None, f"Referencing symbol {ref.symbol.name} has no relative path, this is likely a bug."
-            content_around_ref = project.retrieve_content_around_line(
-                relative_file_path=ref_relative_path, line=ref.line, context_lines_before=1, context_lines_after=1
-            )
-            ref_dict["content_around_reference"] = content_around_ref.to_display_string()
+            ref_dict["content_around_reference"] = content_around_ref
             reference_dicts.append(ref_dict)
             ref_summaries.append(
                 {
@@ -292,6 +301,10 @@ class LspDiagnosticsRenderer(Renderer[LspDiagnostics]):
         return self._limit_length(self._to_json(obj.grouped.get_dict()))
 
 
+def _is_not_low_level(symbol: LanguageServerSymbol) -> bool:
+    return not symbol.is_low_level()
+
+
 class LspApi(FacadeApi):
     FILE_LEVEL_DIAGNOSTIC_BUCKET = "<file>"
     """the name path under which diagnostics that cannot be mapped to a symbol are grouped"""
@@ -336,6 +349,26 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
     def _create_ls_code_editor(self, symbol_retriever: LanguageServerSymbolRetriever | None = None) -> LanguageServerCodeEditor:
         return LanguageServerCodeEditor(symbol_retriever or self._create_symbol_retriever())
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _request_info(
+        symbol_retriever: LanguageServerSymbolRetriever, symbols: list[LanguageServerSymbol], output_params: SymbolOutputParams
+    ) -> dict[LanguageServerSymbol, str]:
+        """
+        :return: additional (hover-like) info per symbol, if the output parameters request it (and not the body, which
+            supersedes it); requested eagerly, such that results are self-contained
+        """
+        if output_params.include_info and not output_params.include_body:
+            return {s: info for s, info in symbol_retriever.request_info_for_symbol_batch(symbols).items() if info}
+        return {}
+
+    def _retrieve_content_around_reference(self, reference: ReferenceInLanguageServerSymbol) -> str:
+        relative_path = reference.symbol.location.relative_path
+        assert relative_path is not None, f"Referencing symbol {reference.symbol.name} has no relative path, this is likely a bug."
+        content = self._get_project().retrieve_content_around_line(
+            relative_file_path=relative_path, line=reference.line, context_lines_before=1, context_lines_after=1
+        )
+        return content.to_display_string()
+
     @staticmethod
     def _parse_kinds(kinds: Sequence[int]) -> Sequence[SymbolKind] | None:
         return [SymbolKind(k) for k in kinds] if kinds else None
@@ -345,7 +378,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
 
     # language server management
 
-    @facade_method(optional=True, corresponding_tool=RestartLanguageServerTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, optional=True, corresponding_tool=RestartLanguageServerTool)
     def restart_language_server(self) -> str:
         """
         Restarts the language server(s). Use this only on explicit user request or after confirmation;
@@ -358,7 +391,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
 
     # read operations
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=GetSymbolsOverviewTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=GetSymbolsOverviewTool)
     def get_symbols_overview(self, relative_path: str, depth: int = -1, max_answer_chars: int = -1) -> LspSymbolCollection:
         """
         Gets an overview of the top-level symbols defined in the given file (classes, methods, fields) — its
@@ -396,14 +429,12 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
             kind=True,
             relative_path=False,
             location=False,
-            child_inclusion_predicate=lambda s: not s.is_low_level(),
-        )
-        renderer = LspSymbolsOverviewRenderer(
-            self._agent, max_answer_chars, symbol_retriever, output_params, grouper=self.overview_grouper_
+            child_inclusion_predicate=_is_not_low_level,
         )
+        renderer = LspSymbolsOverviewRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, output_params, grouper=self.overview_grouper_)
         return LspSymbolCollection(symbols, renderer)
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=FindSymbolTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=FindSymbolTool)
     def find_symbol(
         self,
         name_path_pattern: str,
@@ -481,10 +512,8 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
             children_name_path=False,
             include_info=include_info,
         )
-        renderer = LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(
-            self._agent, max_answer_chars, symbol_retriever, output_params, grouper=self.find_symbol_dict_grouper_
-        )
-        symbol_collection = LspSymbolCollection(symbols, renderer)
+        renderer = LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, output_params, grouper=self.find_symbol_dict_grouper_)
+        symbol_collection = LspSymbolCollection(symbols, renderer, self._request_info(symbol_retriever, symbols, output_params))
 
         # check for max_matches limit exceeded
         n_matches = len(symbols)
@@ -495,7 +524,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
 
         return symbol_collection
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=FindReferencingSymbolsTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=FindReferencingSymbolsTool)
     def find_referencing_symbols(
         self,
         name_path: str,
@@ -526,9 +555,11 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
             include_kinds=self._parse_kinds(include_kinds),
             exclude_kinds=self._parse_kinds(exclude_kinds),
         )
-        return LspReferenceCollection(references, LspReferenceCollectionRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, self.references_grouper_))
+        contents_around_references = [self._retrieve_content_around_reference(ref) for ref in references]
+        renderer = LspReferenceCollectionRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, self.references_grouper_)
+        return LspReferenceCollection(references, contents_around_references, renderer)
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=FindImplementationsTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=FindImplementationsTool)
     def find_implementations(
         self,
         name_path: str,
@@ -561,9 +592,10 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
             exclude_kinds=self._parse_kinds(exclude_kinds),
         )
         output_params = SymbolOutputParams(kind=True, relative_path=True, body_location=True, include_info=include_info)
-        return LspSymbolCollection(symbols, LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, symbol_retriever, output_params))
+        renderer = LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(self._agent, max_answer_chars, output_params)
+        return LspSymbolCollection(symbols, renderer, self._request_info(symbol_retriever, symbols, output_params))
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=FindDeclarationTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=FindDeclarationTool)
     def find_declaration(
         self,
         relative_path: str,
@@ -615,10 +647,11 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
         output_params = SymbolOutputParams(
             kind=True, relative_path=True, body_location=True, include_body=include_body, include_info=include_info
         )
-        collection_renderer = LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(self._agent, -1, symbol_retriever, output_params)
-        return LspSymbol(defining_symbol, LspSymbolRenderer(self._agent, -1, collection_renderer))
+        collection_renderer = LspSymbolCollectionRenderer(self._agent, -1, output_params)
+        info = self._request_info(symbol_retriever, [defining_symbol], output_params).get(defining_symbol)
+        return LspSymbol(defining_symbol, LspSymbolRenderer(self._agent, -1, collection_renderer), info)
 
-    @facade_method(corresponding_tool=GetDiagnosticsForFileTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, corresponding_tool=GetDiagnosticsForFileTool)
     def get_diagnostics_for_file(
         self, relative_path: str, start_line: int = 0, end_line: int = -1, min_severity: int = 4, max_answer_chars: int = -1
     ) -> LspDiagnostics:
@@ -651,7 +684,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
 
         return self._create_diagnostics(grouped_diagnostics, max_answer_chars)
 
-    @facade_method(optional=True, corresponding_tool=GetDiagnosticsForSymbolTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, optional=True, corresponding_tool=GetDiagnosticsForSymbolTool)
     def get_diagnostics_for_symbol(
         self,
         name_path: str,
@@ -694,7 +727,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
 
     # edit operations
 
-    @facade_method(can_edit=True, corresponding_tool=RenameSymbolTool)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, can_edit=True, corresponding_tool=RenameSymbolTool)
     def rename_symbol(self, name_path: str, relative_path: str, new_name: str) -> str:
         """
         Renames the symbol with the given `name_path` to `new_name` throughout the entire codebase.
@@ -709,7 +742,7 @@ class LspApi(FacadeApi):
         self._get_project().ls_sync_file_system_changes()
         return self._create_ls_code_editor().rename_symbol(name_path, relative_path=relative_path, new_name=new_name)
 
-    @facade_method(can_edit=True, corresponding_tool=SafeDeleteSymbol)
+    @facade_method(uses_project_server=True, can_edit=True, corresponding_tool=SafeDeleteSymbol)
     def safe_delete_symbol(self, name_path_pattern: str, relative_path: str) -> str:
         """
         Deletes the symbol if it is safe to do so (i.e., if there are no references to it)
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/external_project.py b/src/serena/repl/external_project.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e702d4ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/serena/repl/external_project.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+"""
+Execution of facade methods in the context of an external project (i.e. a project other than the active one).
+"""
+
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from serena.project_server import ProjectServerClient
+
+
+class ExternalProjectContext:
+    """
+    The context in which facade methods are executed while an external project is being queried:
+    methods which use the project server (see `FacadeMethodInfo.uses_project_server`) are executed remotely
+    in the project server (if remote execution applies to the language backend), all other methods are executed
+    locally against the temporarily switched project. Editing methods are not permitted.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, project_name: str, remote_execution: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        :param project_name: the name of the external project
+        :param remote_execution: whether methods using the project server are to be executed remotely
+            (False for the JetBrains backend, where the IDE serves all projects)
+        """
+        self.project_name = project_name
+        self._remote_execution = remote_execution
+        self._client: ProjectServerClient | None = None
+
+    def executes_remotely(self, uses_project_server: bool) -> bool:
+        """
+        :param uses_project_server: whether the method in question uses the project server
+        :return: whether the method is to be executed remotely
+        """
+        return self._remote_execution and uses_project_server
+
+    def call(self, facade_name: str, method_name: str, args: tuple[Any, ...], kwargs: dict[str, Any]) -> Any:
+        """
+        Executes the given facade method in the external project's server.
+
+        :param facade_name: the facade's name
+        :param method_name: the method's name
+        :param args: the positional arguments (must be JSON-serialisable)
+        :param kwargs: the keyword arguments (must be JSON-serialisable)
+        :return: the method's result (unpickled)
+        """
+        if self._client is None:
+            from serena.project_server import ProjectServerClient
+
+            self._client = ProjectServerClient()
+        return self._client.call_facade_method(self.project_name, facade_name, method_name, list(args), kwargs)
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/facade.py b/src/serena/repl/facade.py
index 18ed06eb..45a2538c 100644
--- a/src/serena/repl/facade.py
+++ b/src/serena/repl/facade.py
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from serena.code_editor import CodeEditor
     from serena.tools import Tool
 
+    from .external_project import ExternalProjectContext
+
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 TCallable = TypeVar("TCallable", bound=Callable[..., Any])
 
@@ -106,7 +108,12 @@ class ReferencedType:
     described even if undocumented, as the listing is the documentation decision.
     """
 
-    _CAPABILITIES: typing.ClassVar[dict[str, str]] = {"__len__": "len()", "__iter__": "iteration", "__getitem__": "indexing"}
+    _CAPABILITIES: typing.ClassVar[dict[str, str]] = {
+        "__len__": "len()",
+        "__iter__": "iteration",
+        "__getitem__": "indexing",
+        "__enter__": "use in a `with` statement",
+    }
 
     @property
     def name(self) -> str:
@@ -243,6 +250,11 @@ class FacadeMethodInfo:
     whether the method is rarely needed, such that the facade's description only summarises it (first line of its
     documentation and a pointer to its full documentation) in order to keep the description compact
     """
+    uses_project_server: bool = False
+    """
+    whether the method requires the project's language servers and must therefore be executed in the project server
+    when an external project is queried (see `ExternalProjectContext`)
+    """
     corresponding_tool: "type[Tool] | None" = None
     """the classic tool offering the same functionality, if any"""
 
@@ -262,6 +274,7 @@ def facade_method(
     beta: bool = False,
     can_edit: bool = False,
     niche: bool = False,
+    uses_project_server: bool = False,
     corresponding_tool: "type[Tool] | None" = None,
 ) -> Callable[[TCallable], TCallable]:
     """
@@ -272,6 +285,7 @@ def facade_method(
     :param beta: whether the method is in beta
     :param can_edit: whether the method can modify the codebase
     :param niche: whether the method is rarely needed (its documentation is then only summarised in the facade's description)
+    :param uses_project_server: whether the method must be executed in the project server when an external project is queried
     :param corresponding_tool: the classic tool offering the same functionality, if any
     :return: the decorator
     """
@@ -283,6 +297,7 @@ def facade_method(
             beta=beta,
             can_edit=can_edit,
             niche=niche,
+            uses_project_server=uses_project_server,
             corresponding_tool=corresponding_tool,
         )
         setattr(method, _FACADE_METHOD_INFO_ATTR, info)
@@ -391,6 +406,12 @@ class FacadeMethod:
         return f"{self.facade_name}.{self.name}"
 
     def __call__(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        external_project = self.parent.get_external_project_()
+        if external_project is not None:
+            if self.info.can_edit:
+                raise ValueError(f"{self.qualified_name} cannot be called while an external project is being queried (read-only access)")
+            if external_project.executes_remotely(self.info.uses_project_server):
+                return external_project.call(self.facade_name, self.name, args, kwargs)
         return self._implementation(*args, **kwargs)
 
     def get_implementation_(self) -> Callable[..., Any]:
@@ -548,6 +569,16 @@ class Facade:
         object.__setattr__(self, "_description", description)
         object.__setattr__(self, "_methods", {})
         object.__setattr__(self, "_types", {t.name: t for t in types})
+        object.__setattr__(self, "_external_project", None)
+
+    def set_external_project_(self, external_project: "ExternalProjectContext | None") -> None:
+        """
+        :param external_project: the context of the external project being queried (None if the active project is used)
+        """
+        object.__setattr__(self, "_external_project", external_project)
+
+    def get_external_project_(self) -> "ExternalProjectContext | None":
+        return self._external_project
 
     def _add_method(self, method: FacadeMethod) -> None:
         assert method.parent is self
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/repl.py b/src/serena/repl/repl.py
index b631777b..f4e4cbec 100644
--- a/src/serena/repl/repl.py
+++ b/src/serena/repl/repl.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import traceback
 from typing import Any
 
 from ..session import SerenaSession
+from .external_project import ExternalProjectContext
 from .facade import ApiScope, Facade, FacadeMethod, ReferencedType
 from .representable import Representable
 
@@ -44,6 +45,18 @@ class SerenaReplEntrypoint:
         """
         return [method for facade in self._facades.values() for method in facade.get_enabled_methods()]
 
+    def set_external_project_(self, external_project: "ExternalProjectContext | None") -> None:
+        """
+        :param external_project: the context of the external project being queried by the currently executing code
+            (None if the active project is used); propagated to all facades
+        """
+        for facade in self._facades.values():
+            facade.set_external_project_(external_project)
+
+    def get_external_project_(self) -> "ExternalProjectContext | None":
+        external_projects = {facade.get_external_project_() for facade in self._facades.values()}
+        return next(iter(external_projects)) if external_projects else None
+
     def set_current_session_(self, session: SerenaSession | None, namespace: dict[str, Any] | None) -> None:
         """
         :param session: the session on whose behalf code is being executed (None if no code is being executed)
@@ -100,6 +113,13 @@ class SerenaReplEntrypoint:
             raise ValueError(f"Unknown facade '{name}'. Available facades: {list(self._facades)}")
         return self._facades[name]
 
+    def get_facade_(self, name: str) -> Facade:
+        """
+        :param name: the facade's name
+        :return: the facade
+        """
+        return self._get_facade(name)
+
     def overview(self) -> str:
         """
         :return: the list of available facades, each with a one-line description and the names of its methods
diff --git a/src/serena/repl/representable.py b/src/serena/repl/representable.py
index 9867f726..069d712c 100644
--- a/src/serena/repl/representable.py
+++ b/src/serena/repl/representable.py
@@ -19,7 +19,12 @@ T = TypeVar("T")
 
 class Renderer(Generic[T], ABC):
     def __init__(self, agent: "SerenaAgent", max_answer_chars: int = -1):
-        self._agent = agent
+        """
+        :param agent: the agent, from which the configured default length limit is taken (the agent itself is not
+            retained, such that results remain picklable)
+        :param max_answer_chars: the maximum number of characters; -1 for the configured default
+        """
+        self._default_max_answer_chars = agent.serena_config.default_max_tool_answer_chars
         self._max_answer_chars = max_answer_chars
 
     def _limit_length(
@@ -43,7 +48,7 @@ class Renderer(Generic[T], ABC):
         """
         :return: the effective maximum number of characters, resolving the default from the configuration
         """
-        return self._agent.serena_config.default_max_tool_answer_chars if self._max_answer_chars == -1 else self._max_answer_chars
+        return self._default_max_answer_chars if self._max_answer_chars == -1 else self._max_answer_chars
 
     def _to_json(self, x: Any) -> str:
         return TextOutputUtils.to_json(x)
diff --git a/test/serena/test_external_projects.py b/test/serena/test_external_projects.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a53b5ed4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/serena/test_external_projects.py
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+"""
+End-to-end test of querying an external project through the REPL: a project server executes the language server
+operations of the queried project, and the (pickled) results are usable in the querying agent's REPL.
+"""
+
+import socket
+import threading
+from collections.abc import Iterator
+
+import pytest
+from werkzeug.serving import make_server
+
+from serena.agent import SerenaAgent
+from serena.config.serena_config import SerenaConfig
+from serena.project_server import ProjectServer, ProjectServerClient
+from serena.repl.api.lsp_api import LspSymbolCollection
+from serena.tools import SerenaReplTool
+from solidlsp.ls_config import LanguageServerId
+from test.conftest import language_server_tests_enabled
+from test.serena.test_serena_agent import serena_config  # noqa: F401  (fixture)
+
+
+def _free_port() -> int:
+    with socket.socket() as sock:
+        sock.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+        return sock.getsockname()[1]
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def project_server(serena_config: SerenaConfig) -> Iterator[tuple[ProjectServer, int]]:  # noqa: F811
+    """
+    Runs a project server (backed by a real agent) on a free port for the duration of the test.
+    """
+    config = serena_config
+    port = _free_port()
+
+    # construct the server around an agent with the test configuration (the constructor would load the user's configuration)
+    server = ProjectServer.__new__(ProjectServer)
+    server._agent = SerenaAgent(serena_config=config)
+    server._loaded_projects_by_root = {}
+    server._project_load_locks_by_root = {}
+    server._active_project_lock = threading.Lock()
+    server._loaded_projects_lock = threading.Lock()
+    server._port = port
+    server._host = "127.0.0.1"
+    from flask import Flask
+
+    server._app = Flask(__name__)
+    server._setup_routes()
+
+    http_server = make_server("127.0.0.1", port, server._app, threaded=True)
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=http_server.serve_forever, daemon=True)
+    thread.start()
+    try:
+        yield server, port
+    finally:
+        http_server.shutdown()
+        server._agent.on_shutdown(timeout=5)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.python
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not language_server_tests_enabled(LanguageServerId.PYTHON), reason="python tests are disabled in this environment")
+def test_facade_method_results_are_transferred_from_the_project_server(project_server: tuple[ProjectServer, int]) -> None:
+    _, port = project_server
+    client = ProjectServerClient(port=port)
+    result = client.call_facade_method("test_repo_python", "lsp", "find_symbol", ["create_user"], {"include_body": True})
+
+    # the result is a self-contained object which can be processed and rendered locally
+    assert isinstance(result, LspSymbolCollection)
+    assert [s.name for s in result.symbols] == ["create_user"]
+    assert result.symbols[0].body.startswith("def create_user")
+    assert "create_user" in result.represent()
+
+    # editing methods are refused
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="cannot be executed"):
+        client.call_facade_method("test_repo_python", "lsp", "rename_symbol", ["create_user", "test_repo/services.py", "x"], {})
+
+
+@pytest.mark.python
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not language_server_tests_enabled(LanguageServerId.PYTHON), reason="python tests are disabled in this environment")
+def test_external_project_context_in_repl(
+    project_server: tuple[ProjectServer, int],
+    serena_config: SerenaConfig,  # noqa: F811
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    server, port = project_server
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ProjectServer, "PORT", port)  # let the REPL's external project context use the test server
+
+    # the querying agent has another project active and queries the python test project
+    agent = SerenaAgent(project="test_repo_typescript", serena_config=serena_config)
+    agent.execute_task(lambda: None)
+    try:
+        tool = agent.get_tool(SerenaReplTool)
+        session_id = agent.create_session().session_id
+        code = (
+            'with s.ext.project_context("test_repo_python"):\n'
+            '    result = s.lsp.find_symbol("create_user")\n'
+            "[s.name for s in result.symbols]"
+        )
+        assert tool.apply(session_id, code) == "create_user"
+        assert server._loaded_projects_by_root, "the operation was not executed by the project server"
+
+        # the result persists and can be used after the context; the active project is restored
+        assert "services.py" in tool.apply(session_id, "result.represent()")
+        assert "test_repo_typescript" in agent.get_current_config_overview()
+    finally:
+        agent.on_shutdown(timeout=5)
diff --git a/test/serena/test_repl_tool.py b/test/serena/test_repl_tool.py
index 4b7b348e..f02cbbcb 100644
--- a/test/serena/test_repl_tool.py
+++ b/test/serena/test_repl_tool.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import pytest
 from serena.config.serena_config import ApiInclusionDefinition
 from serena.repl.api.edit_api import EditApi
 from serena.repl.api.lsp_api import LspApi
+from serena.repl.external_project import ExternalProjectContext
 from serena.repl.facade import ApiScope, Facade, FacadeApi, FacadeMethodInfo, facade_method
 from serena.repl.repl import SerenaRepl
 from serena.session import SerenaSession
@@ -82,6 +83,30 @@ class TestReplExecution:
         overview = rebuilt_repl.execute("facades()", session)
         assert "s.edit" in overview and "s.lsp" not in overview
 
+    def test_external_project_dispatch(self) -> None:
+        class FakeExternalProject(ExternalProjectContext):
+            def __init__(self) -> None:
+                super().__init__("other", remote_execution=True)
+                self.calls: list[tuple[str, str, tuple, dict]] = []
+
+            def call(self, facade_name: str, method_name: str, args: tuple, kwargs: dict) -> str:
+                self.calls.append((facade_name, method_name, args, kwargs))
+                return "remote result"
+
+        facades = [Facade.from_api(LspApi(MagicMock()), ApiScope()), Facade.from_api(EditApi(MagicMock()), ApiScope())]
+        repl = SerenaRepl(facades, ApiScope())
+        external_project = FakeExternalProject()
+        repl.entrypoint.set_external_project_(external_project)
+
+        # methods using the project server are executed remotely, editing methods are refused
+        assert repl.execute('s.lsp.find_symbol("Foo", depth=1)') == "remote result"
+        assert external_project.calls == [("lsp", "find_symbol", ("Foo",), {"depth": 1})]
+        assert "read-only" in repl.execute('s.edit.replace_content("a.py", "x", "y", "literal")')
+
+        # without remote execution (JetBrains backend), methods run locally
+        repl.entrypoint.set_external_project_(ExternalProjectContext("other", remote_execution=False))
+        assert "remote result" not in repl.execute('s.info("lsp.find_symbol")')
+
     def test_facade_discovery(self, repl: SerenaRepl) -> None:
         overview = repl.execute("s.info()")
         assert "s.lsp" in overview