How to add an MCP server to VS Code

VS Code reads MCP servers from .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace, or from your user configuration. Note that VS Code uses a "servers" key, not "mcpServers". The tools are then available to GitHub Copilot in agent mode.

Add the server

Run MCP: Add Server from the Command Palette, or create .vscode/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}

Many server pages here have an Add to VS Code button that does this for you.

Use it

Open Copilot Chat, switch to agent mode, and pick the server's tools from the tools menu.

Copying a config from somewhere else

Most READMEs show the Claude Desktop format with "mcpServers". For VS Code, rename that key to "servers" and keep the rest.

Questions

Do I need GitHub Copilot?

MCP tools in VS Code are used through Copilot Chat in agent mode, so yes, you need Copilot access.