Utilize MCP Servers in VS Code's Agent Mode (Preview)

# Use MCP servers in VS Code (Preview)

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## Introduction

Learn how to set up MCP servers and use tools with agent mode in Visual Studio Code.

### Note

MCP support in agent mode in VS Code is currently in preview.

## What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to interact with external tools and services through a unified interface. In VS Code, MCP support enhances GitHub Copilot's agent mode by allowing you to connect any MCP-compatible server to your agentic coding workflow.

## MCP Architecture

### MCP clients

Connect to MCP servers and request actions on behalf of the AI model

### MCP servers

Provide one or more tools that expose specific functionalities through a well-defined interface

## The Model Context Protocol (MCP)

- Defines the message format for communication between clients and servers
- Includes tool discovery, invocation, and response handling

## Supported MCP Capabilities

- VS Code supports local standard input/output (stdio) and server-sent events (sse) for MCP server transport
- Servers can provide tools to Copilot's agent mode
- The list and descriptions of tools can be updated dynamically using list changed events

## Finding MCP servers

- [MCP's official server repository](https://github.com/microsoft/modelcontextprotocol) is a great starting point for reference, official, and community-contributed servers

## Add an MCP server

- Configure an MCP server in the `.vscode/mcp.json` file in your workspace
- Create a `.vscode/mcp.json` file in your workspace and select the Add Server button to add a template for a new server
- Run the MCP: Add Server command from the Command Palette and provide the server information to add a new MCP server configuration

## Configuration format

Use the following JSON configuration format to define MCP servers:

```json
{
  "servers": {
    // server name
    "server-name": {
      // server connection type
      "type": "stdio" | "sse",
      // command to start the server executable
      "command": "command",
      // array of arguments passed to the command
      "args": ["arg1", "arg2"],
      // environment variables for the server
      "env": {"variable": "value"},
      // path to an .env from which to load additional environment variables
      "envFile": "path/to/.env"
    }
  }
}

Use MCP tools in agent mode

1. Open the Chat view (⌃⌘I (Windows, Linux Ctrl+Alt+I))
2. Select Agent mode from the dropdown
3. Select the Tools button to view the list of available tools
4. Enter a prompt in the chat input box and notice how tools are automatically invoked as needed

Managing tools

• Run the MCP: List Servers command from the Command Palette to view the list of configured MCP servers
• When you select a server, you can start, stop, or restart the server
• View the server configuration and server logs to diagnose issues

Command-line configuration

• Use the VS Code command-line interface to add an MCP server to your user profile or to a workspace

Troubleshooting

• When VS Code encounters an issue with an MCP server, it shows a error indicator in the Chat view
• Select the error notification in the Chat view, and then select Show Output to view the server logs

Create an MCP server

• MCP's official SDKs are a good place to start for developing your own MCP server

FAQ

• Can I control which MCP tools are used?
  • Yes, you have several options to control which tools are active:
  • Select the Tools button in the Chat view when in agent mode, and toggle specific tools on/off as needed.
  • Add specific tools to your prompt by using the Add Context button or by typing #.
  • For more advanced control, you can use .github/copilot-instructions.md to fine-tune