Add open_dashboard MCP tool for on-demand dashboard opening

This provides an alternative for users who want to disable automatic
browser opening (web_dashboard_open_on_launch: False) but still have
easy access to the dashboard through AI assistance.

Changes:
- Add OpenDashboardTool in config_tools.py
- Add open_dashboard() and get_dashboard_url() methods to SerenaAgent
- Store dashboard URL in _dashboard_url field
- Update documentation with new tool and configuration option
- Update config template comment to mention the tool

Closes #875

docs/01-about/035_tools.md

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Note that in most configurations, only a subset of these tools will be enabled s
 * `list_dir`: Lists files and directories in the given directory (optionally with recursion).
 * `list_memories`: Lists memories in Serena's project-specific memory store.
 * `onboarding`: Performs onboarding (identifying the project structure and essential tasks, e.g. for testing or building).
+* `open_dashboard`: Opens the Serena web dashboard in the default web browser.
 * `prepare_for_new_conversation`: Provides instructions for preparing for a new conversation (in order to continue with th
   e necessary context).
 * `read_file`: Reads a file within the project directory.

docs/02-usage/060_dashboard.md

@@ -20,3 +20,12 @@ Serena comes with built-in tools for monitoring and managing the current session
 
 Both can be configured in Serena's [configuration](050_configuration) file (`serena_config.yml`).
 If enabled, they will automatically be opened as soon as the Serena agent/MCP server is started.
+
+## Disabling Automatic Browser Opening
+
+If you prefer not to have the dashboard open automatically (e.g., to avoid focus stealing), you can disable it
+by setting `web_dashboard_open_on_launch: False` in your `serena_config.yml`.
+
+When automatic opening is disabled, you can still access the dashboard by:
+* Navigating directly to `http://localhost:24282/dashboard/index.html` in your browser
+* Asking the AI to use the `open_dashboard` tool, which will open the dashboard in your default browser

src/serena/agent.py

@@ -189,6 +189,9 @@ class SerenaAgent:
         # project-specific instances, which will be initialized upon project activation
         self._active_project: Project | None = None
 
+        # dashboard URL (set when dashboard is started)
+        self._dashboard_url: str | None = None
+
         # adjust log level
         serena_log_level = self.serena_config.log_level
         if Logger.root.level != serena_log_level:
@@ -292,6 +295,7 @@ class SerenaAgent:
             if dashboard_host == "0.0.0.0":
                 dashboard_host = "localhost"
             dashboard_url = f"http://{dashboard_host}:{port}/dashboard/index.html"
+            self._dashboard_url = dashboard_url
             log.info("Serena web dashboard started at %s", dashboard_url)
             if self.serena_config.web_dashboard_open_on_launch:
                 if not system_has_usable_display():
@@ -405,6 +409,31 @@ class SerenaAgent:
         # open the dashboard URL in the default web browser
         webbrowser.open(url)
 
+    def get_dashboard_url(self) -> str | None:
+        """
+        :return: the URL of the web dashboard, or None if the dashboard is not running
+        """
+        return self._dashboard_url
+
+    def open_dashboard(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Opens the Serena web dashboard in the default web browser.
+
+        :return: a message indicating success or failure
+        """
+        if self._dashboard_url is None:
+            return "Error: The web dashboard is not running. Enable it in the Serena configuration."
+
+        if not system_has_usable_display():
+            return f"Error: No usable display detected. You can open the dashboard manually at: {self._dashboard_url}"
+
+        # open the dashboard URL in the default web browser (using a separate process to control
+        # output redirection)
+        process = multiprocessing.Process(target=self._open_dashboard, args=(self._dashboard_url,))
+        process.start()
+        process.join(timeout=1)
+        return f"Dashboard opened in the default web browser: {self._dashboard_url}"
+
     def get_project_root(self) -> str:
         """
         :return: the root directory of the active project (if any); raises a ValueError if there is no active project

src/serena/resources/serena_config.template.yml

@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ web_dashboard_listen_address: 127.0.0.1
 web_dashboard_open_on_launch: True
 # whether to open a browser window with the web dashboard when Serena starts (provided that web_dashboard
 # is enabled). If set to False, you can still open the dashboard manually by navigating to
-# http://localhost:24282/dashboard/ in your web browser (24282 = 0x5EDA, SErena DAshboard).
+# http://localhost:24282/dashboard/ in your web browser (24282 = 0x5EDA, SErena DAshboard),
+# or by asking the AI to use the open_dashboard tool.
 # If you have multiple instances running, a higher port will be used; try port 24283, 24284, etc.
 
 log_level: 20

src/serena/tools/config_tools.py

@@ -2,6 +2,19 @@ from serena.config.context_mode import SerenaAgentMode
 from serena.tools import Tool, ToolMarkerDoesNotRequireActiveProject, ToolMarkerOptional
 
 
+class OpenDashboardTool(Tool, ToolMarkerDoesNotRequireActiveProject):
+    """
+    Opens the Serena web dashboard in the default web browser.
+    The dashboard provides logs, session information, and tool usage statistics.
+    """
+
+    def apply(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Opens the Serena web dashboard in the default web browser.
+        """
+        return self.agent.open_dashboard()
+
+
 class ActivateProjectTool(Tool, ToolMarkerDoesNotRequireActiveProject):
     """
     Activates a project based on the project name or path.