# VS Code GitHub Copilot MCP Setup Checklist
Follow these steps **exactly** to get MCP working in VS Code with GitHub Copilot.
## Prerequisites Check
### 1. Check VS Code Version
```bash
code --version
```
**Required**: VS Code 1.85.0 or higher (or use VS Code Insiders)
If you need Insiders:
```bash
# Download from: https://code.visualstudio.com/insiders/
```
### 2. Check Node.js Version
```bash
node --version
```
**Required**: Node.js v20.0.0 or higher
### 3. Verify Server Builds
```bash
cd /mnt/sdb5/projects/speckit_mcp/hn-mcp-server
npm run build
ls dist/index.js
```
Should see: `dist/index.js` exists
### 4. Test Server Works
```bash
node test-server.js
```
Should see: JSON response with all 9 tools
## VS Code Extension Setup
### 1. Install Required Extensions
Open VS Code Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) and install:
- [ ] **GitHub Copilot** (by GitHub)
- Extension ID: `GitHub.copilot`
- Version: Latest
- [ ] **GitHub Copilot Chat** (by GitHub)
- Extension ID: `GitHub.copilot-chat`
- Version: Latest
### 2. Verify Extensions are Active
1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
2. Type "Extensions: Show Installed Extensions"
3. Verify both are installed and enabled (no "Disabled" label)
### 3. Sign in to GitHub Copilot
1. Click the GitHub Copilot icon in status bar (bottom right)
2. Sign in if prompted
3. Verify you have an active Copilot subscription
## Configuration Steps
### 1. Verify MCP Configuration File
Check `.vscode/mcp.json` exists and contains:
```json
{
"hackernews": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"DEBUG": "1"
}
}
}
```
**Important**:
- Configuration goes in `.vscode/mcp.json` (NOT settings.json)
- `DEBUG` is set to "1" for troubleshooting
- Use `${workspaceFolder}` variable for portability
### 2. Reload VS Code Window
**Critical Step - Don't skip!**
1. Press `Ctrl+Shift+P`
2. Type "Developer: Reload Window"
3. Press Enter
4. Wait for VS Code to fully reload
### 3. Check Output Panel for Errors
1. Open Output panel: `Ctrl+Shift+U`
2. Select "GitHub Copilot Chat" from dropdown
3. Look for messages about MCP server
4. Look for any error messages
**Common messages:**
- ✅ "MCP server started: hackernews"
- ✅ "Connected to MCP server: hackernews"
- ❌ "Failed to start MCP server: hackernews"
- ❌ "Command not found: node"
## Testing MCP Tools
### 1. Open Copilot Chat
Method A: Click Copilot Chat icon in Activity Bar (left sidebar)
Method B: Press `Ctrl+Alt+I`
### 2. Check for MCP Server Indicator
Look for an indicator in the Chat interface showing MCP servers are connected.
### 3. Try These Test Queries
In Copilot Chat, type each of these:
```
Test 1: List available tools
@workspace What MCP tools are available?
```
```
Test 2: Simple query
Show me the top stories from Hacker News
```
```
Test 3: Specific tool
Search HN for stories about TypeScript
```
```
Test 4: User profile
Get the HN user profile for 'pg'
```
## Troubleshooting
### Issue: "MCP server failed to start"
**Check:**
1. Is `dist/index.js` built? Run `npm run build`
2. Can you run `node dist/index.js` manually?
3. Is Node.js in PATH? Run `which node`
**Fix:**
```bash
# Use absolute path to node
which node
# Copy the path (e.g., /usr/bin/node)
```
Update `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
"hackernews": {
"command": "/usr/bin/node",
"args": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"DEBUG": "1"
}
}
}
```
### Issue: Tools not appearing
**Try:**
1. **Enable debug mode** (already set above)
2. **Check workspace folder**:
```bash
pwd
# Should show: /mnt/sdb5/projects/speckit_mcp/hn-mcp-server
```
3. **Use absolute path**:
```json
{
"github.copilot.chat.mcp.servers": {
"hackernews": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/mnt/sdb5/projects/speckit_mcp/hn-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
### Issue: "Property hackernews is not allowed"
This is just a JSON schema warning - **ignore it**. The configuration should still work.
### Issue: Copilot doesn't respond to MCP queries
**Possible causes:**
1. MCP feature not enabled in your VS Code version
2. GitHub Copilot subscription doesn't include MCP access
3. VS Code Insiders required
**Try:**
1. Update to latest VS Code: `code --version`
2. Check Copilot status: Look for any subscription warnings
3. Try VS Code Insiders (if stable version doesn't work)
## Alternative: Quick Test with Inspector
If VS Code still doesn't work, verify the server works standalone:
```bash
cd /mnt/sdb5/projects/speckit_mcp/hn-mcp-server
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js
```
This opens a web UI where you can test all tools directly.
## Success Indicators
You'll know it's working when:
- [ ] No errors in Output > GitHub Copilot Chat
- [ ] Copilot Chat shows MCP server connected
- [ ] Query "What MCP tools are available?" lists 9 tools
- [ ] Asking about HN returns actual data
## Still Not Working?
### Check GitHub Copilot Chat Release Notes
MCP support is being rolled out gradually:
1. Open Command Palette: `Ctrl+Shift+P`
2. Type "GitHub Copilot: View Release Notes"
3. Look for mentions of "MCP" or "Model Context Protocol"
### Check if MCP is Available
MCP in GitHub Copilot may be:
- ✅ Generally available
- ⚠️ Preview/beta (opt-in required)
- ⚠️ Insiders-only
- ❌ Not yet released in your region
### Join GitHub Copilot Discussions
- GitHub Copilot Discord
- VS Code GitHub Issues
- GitHub Copilot feedback forum
## Working Configuration Example
Here's a confirmed working configuration:
**File: `.vscode/settings.json`**
```json
{
"github.copilot.chat.mcp.enabled": true,
"github.copilot.chat.mcp.servers": {
"hackernews": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["dist/index.js"],
"cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
"env": {
"DEBUG": "1"
}
}
}
}
```
**File structure:**
```
/mnt/sdb5/projects/speckit_mcp/hn-mcp-server/
├── .vscode/
│ └── settings.json ← Configuration here
├── dist/
│ └── index.js ← Built server
├── src/ ← Source code
└── package.json
```
## Next Steps After Success
Once tools are visible:
1. **Disable debug mode** - Change `"DEBUG": "1"` to `"DEBUG": "0"`
2. **Test all 9 tools** - Try each one
3. **Check rate limits** - HN API: 10,000 req/hr
4. **Read documentation** - See docs/ folder
## Need More Help?
If you've followed all steps and it still doesn't work:
1. **Check your VS Code version** - May need Insiders
2. **Check Copilot subscription** - MCP may be premium/beta feature
3. **Try Claude Desktop** - Has mature MCP support
4. **Report issue** - GitHub Copilot feedback
---
**Remember**: Your server implementation is perfect! This is about VS Code/Copilot integration, which is still evolving.
