---
title: VS Code Integration Guide
description: "Step-by-step guide to configure GitLab MCP Server with VS Code. Enable GitHub Copilot integration for AI-assisted GitLab workflows including merge requests and CI/CD management."
head:
- - meta
- name: keywords
content: VS Code, GitLab MCP, GitHub Copilot, MCP extension, Visual Studio Code, GitLab integration
---
# VS Code Integration Guide
Configure GitLab MCP for [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) with GitHub Copilot's MCP support.
## Auto-Setup
```bash
npx @structured-world/gitlab-mcp install --vscode
```
## One-Click Install
Install directly from VS Code:
[](vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22gitlab%22%2C%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40structured-world%2Fgitlab-mcp%22%5D%7D)
## Detection
| Method | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Type | Config directory |
| Path | `.vscode/` (per-project) |
| Auto-detected | Yes (when `.vscode/` directory exists) |
## Config File Location
| OS | Path |
|----|------|
| All | `.vscode/mcp.json` (per-project) |
::: tip
VS Code uses per-project MCP configuration. Create the config in each project's `.vscode/` directory.
:::
## Configuration
Create or edit `.vscode/mcp.json` in your project root:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@structured-world/gitlab-mcp"],
"env": {
"GITLAB_TOKEN": "glpat-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
"GITLAB_API_URL": "https://gitlab.com"
}
}
}
}
```
## Remote Server
Connect to a running GitLab MCP HTTP server:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab": {
"type": "streamable-http",
"url": "http://localhost:3333/mcp"
}
}
}
```
## Verification
1. Open the project in VS Code
2. Open GitHub Copilot chat
3. Check available MCP tools via the tools picker
4. GitLab tools should be listed
## Troubleshooting
- **Tools not appearing**: Reload the VS Code window (`Cmd+Shift+P` > "Reload Window")
- **Per-project vs global**: VS Code MCP is per-project; ensure `.vscode/mcp.json` is in your workspace root
- **Copilot required**: MCP support requires GitHub Copilot extension
## See Also
- [VS Code installation](/guide/installation/vscode)
- [Configuration reference](/guide/configuration)
- [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/clients)
