How to Add and Configure MCP Servers in VS Code with mcp.json

MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers connect AI agents in VS Code to external tools. Once configured, the agent can query databases, browse the web, and call APIs through the server's tools.

You do not need to write glue code. The MCP standard handles the connection.

This article covers adding and configuring MCP servers in Stable VS Code.

Quickstart: install a server and use it

The fastest way to add an MCP server is through the Extensions view.

The workflow and schema below follow the official VS Code MCP guide and MCP configuration reference.

Select Configure Tools in the chat input to see all tools the server provides. You can toggle individual tools on or off.

Configure servers in mcp.json

For more control, edit the mcp.json file directly. There are two locations:

VS Code provides IntelliSense for mcp.json, including auto-completion for server types, commands, and configuration fields.

Server types

Example: remote server (http)

Connect to a hosted MCP server over HTTP. This server runs on GitHub's infrastructure:

json

{
  "servers": {
    "github": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Example: local server (stdio)

Run a local process as an MCP server. This example uses npx to start the Playwright browser automation server:

json

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

This command matches the official VS Code example. Because -y accepts the package without an install prompt, review the package source and publisher before starting it. For shared configuration, pin an approved package version.

Sensitive data: use input variables

Never hardcode API keys in mcp.json, especially in workspace files that get committed. Use input variables instead:

json

{
  "inputs": [
    { "type": "promptString", "id": "apiKey", "description": "API key", "password": true }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "my-api": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["server.js"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "${input:apiKey}"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code prompts you for the value when the server starts. The value is not stored in the configuration file.

The first value is stored securely for later use. Rotate the credential at its provider if it is exposed.

Sandbox MCP servers

On macOS and Linux, you can sandbox a local MCP server. Add sandboxEnabled to the server and a top-level sandbox with file system and network rules:

json

{
  "servers": {
    "myServer": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@example/mcp-server"],
      "sandboxEnabled": true
    }
  },
  "sandbox": {
    "filesystem": { "allowWrite": ["${workspaceFolder}"] },
    "network": { "allowedDomains": ["api.example.com"] }
  }
}

With sandboxing enabled, tool calls from the server are auto-approved because they run in a controlled environment. Sandboxing is not available on Windows.

Beyond tools: resources, prompts, and apps

MCP servers can provide more than tools:

For example, a database MCP server might expose table schemas as resources and provide a /db.explain-query prompt template.

MCP prompts come from the server. For repository-owned slash commands, use /vscode/how-to-create-and-use-reusable-prompt-md-files-in-vs-code instead.

Manage servers

Manage installed servers from several places:

• Extensions view: right-click a server in the MCP SERVERS section for start, stop, uninstall, and log options.
• Command Palette: run MCP: List Servers, select a server, and choose an action.
• mcp.json editor: inline code lens actions appear above each server definition.

To disable a server without uninstalling it, right-click it in the Extensions view and select Disable. Disabled servers do not start and their tools are excluded from chat.

Enable chat.mcp.autoStart (Experimental) to automatically restart servers when their configuration changes, instead of restarting them manually.

MCP server trust

When you add a server or change its configuration, VS Code asks you to confirm that you trust it. Review the server configuration before accepting. If you decline, the server does not start and its tools are unavailable.

Reset trust for all servers by running MCP: Reset Trust from the Command Palette.

Local MCP servers run arbitrary code on your machine. Only add servers from publishers you trust. Review the server's source repository before installing, especially for servers that request network access or file system write permissions.

Synchronize across devices

Enable Settings Sync and run Settings Sync: Configure. Check the MCP Servers option. Your user-level MCP server configurations now sync across devices.

MCP servers can also be included in custom agents. Learn how to create agents that use MCP tools in /vscode/how-to-create-custom-agents-in-vs-code-with-agent-md-files.