---

name: vscode-mcp-servers description: Configure and use MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers in VS Code. Use when setting up MCP servers, configuring mcp.json, using MCP tools in chat, managing server trust, or troubleshooting MCP connections.

MCP Servers in VS Code

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI models use external tools and services through a unified interface. MCP servers provide tools for file operations, databases, APIs, and more.

Add MCP Servers

From GitHub MCP Server Registry

1. Enable chat.mcp.gallery.enabled setting
2. Open Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search @mcp or run MCP: Browse Servers
4. Select Install (user profile) or Install in Workspace

Configuration Locations

Configuration Format

Basic Structure

Copy{
  "servers": {
    "server-name": {
      // Server configuration
    }
  },
  "inputs": [
    // Optional input variables for sensitive data
  ]
}

Standard I/O (stdio) Servers

For locally-run servers communicating via stdin/stdout:

Copy{
  "servers": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "${input:api-key}"
      },
      "envFile": "${workspaceFolder}/.env"
    }
  }
}

HTTP/SSE Servers

For remote servers over HTTP:

Copy{
  "servers": {
    "remote-server": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.example.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:api-token}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Unix sockets: unix:///path/to/server.sock Windows pipes: pipe:///pipe/named-pipe

Input Variables

Securely store sensitive data:

Copy{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "api-key",
      "description": "GitHub Personal Access Token",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${input:api-key}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Use MCP Tools in Chat

Automatic Invocation

1. Open Chat view (Ctrl+Alt+I)
2. Use tool picker to enable MCP tools (grouped by server)
3. Ask naturally: "List my GitHub issues"
4. Review and approve tool invocations when prompted

Explicit Tool Reference

Type # followed by tool name to reference directly.

In Custom Prompts/Agents

Reference MCP tools in frontmatter:

Copytools: ['github/*', 'filesystem/*']

Use <server>/* format to include all tools from a server.

MCP Resources

Access server-provided resources as context:

1. In Chat view, select Add Context > MCP Resources
2. Select resource type and provide parameters
3. Resources returned by tools can be saved via Save or drag-and-drop

MCP Prompts

Invoke preconfigured prompts with slash commands:

Copy/mcp.servername.promptname

Server Management

Commands

Auto-Start

Enable chat.mcp.autostart (experimental) to automatically restart servers on configuration changes.

Server Naming Conventions

• Use camelCase: uiTesting, githubIntegration
• No whitespace or special characters
• Unique names per server
• Descriptive names reflecting functionality

Development Mode

Enable debugging in server configuration:

Copy{
  "servers": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["server.js"],
      "dev": {
        "watch": "**/*.js",
        "debug": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Troubleshooting

View Server Logs

1. MCP: List Servers → Select server → Show Output
2. Or click error notification → Show Output

Security

• Only add servers from trusted sources
• Review configuration before starting
• Trust confirmation required on first start
• Use MCP: Reset Trust to revoke trust

Settings Sync

Synchronize MCP servers across devices:

1. Run Settings Sync: Configure
2. Ensure MCP Servers is included

Example: GitHub MCP Server

Copy{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "github-token",
      "description": "GitHub Personal Access Token",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${input:github-token}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Then in chat: "List my GitHub issues" or "Create a new issue in repo X"