> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vacademy.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VS Code (GitHub Copilot)

> Add your institute's server to VS Code's mcp.json and use the tools from Copilot chat.

VS Code's Copilot chat can use Vacademy MCP as a remote HTTP server. VS Code handles the sign-in through your browser.

<Note>
  Menus and commands may change. These steps match the VS Code documentation as of October 2026. See [Use MCP servers in VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers).
</Note>

## Add the server

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Guided">
    1. Open the Command Palette and run **MCP: Add Server**.
    2. Choose **HTTP**.
    3. Paste the server URL from **Settings → MCP Server** in your admin portal.
    4. Name it, for example `vacademy`, and choose whether to save it for your user or this workspace.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Edit mcp.json">
    Run **MCP: Open User Configuration** (all workspaces) or **MCP: Open Workspace Folder MCP Configuration** (this workspace, saved in `.vscode/mcp.json`). Add:

    ```json .vscode/mcp.json theme={null}
    {
      "servers": {
        "vacademy": {
          "type": "http",
          "url": "https://<your backend>/ai-service/mcp/i/<institute_id>"
        }
      }
    }
    ```

    Note that VS Code's file uses `servers`, not `mcpServers`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

The file holds only the URL, never a token, so a workspace file is safe to commit. Each person still signs in as themselves.

## Sign in

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start the server">
    VS Code starts the server when you first use it, or from **MCP: List Servers**. If VS Code asks whether you trust the server, confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve in your browser">
    VS Code asks to sign in and opens a browser tab on **your institute's admin portal**. Sign in with your own account and click **Approve**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the connection">
    In Copilot chat, using agent mode, ask:

    ```text theme={null}
    Who am I connected as?
    ```

    Copilot calls the `whoami` tool to answer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

No client ID is needed. VS Code registers itself.

## Choose which tools Copilot may use

Click **Configure Tools** in the chat input to turn individual Vacademy tools on or off. VS Code may ask you to confirm each tool call. Keep confirmations on for edit tools.

## Using a fixed client ID

Only needed if your organisation requires every app to use a pre-registered client.

1. An admin creates a client ID in **Settings → MCP Server → Client IDs for other apps** with VS Code's redirect URLs. VS Code's developer guide lists `http://127.0.0.1:33418` and `https://vscode.dev/redirect`. Check the [VS Code MCP developer guide](https://code.visualstudio.com/api/extension-guides/ai/mcp) for the current list.
2. When VS Code asks for a client ID, paste it. There is no client secret.


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