What prerequisites are needed to run VSCode Context MCP?

You need Node.js installed, the VSCode extension set up, and an MCP‑compatible assistant (e.g., Claude Desktop) configured to point to the built server. It is recommended to uninstall similar MCP servers (like filesystem MCP) beforehand to avoid conflicts.

How do I add files to Claude context?

You can add the current file by pressing `Ctrl+L` (`Cmd+L` on macOS) or add only selected text with `Ctrl+I` (`Cmd+I`). Alternatively, open the command palette and search for “Add File to Context” or “Add Selection to Context”.

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VSCode Context MCP Server

MCP Server to Connect with VS Code IDE

Local serverstdio

What is the VSCode Context MCP Server?

MCP Server to Connect with VS Code IDE

The short version

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides VSCode context and filesystem operations for AI assistants.

VSCode Context MCP creates a bridge between AI assistants and your VSCode environment. It enables AI models to:

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
get_vscode_context	Retrieve complete VSCode context information
get_attached_files	Retrieve a list of files attached to the workspace
get_project_path	Get current project root directory
get_current_file	Get details and content of the active file
get_open_tabs	List all open editor tabs
get_problems	Retrieve diagnostics (errors/warnings)
get_terminal_content	Get terminal output and history
run_command	Execute a shell command
read_file	Read contents of a file
read_multiple_files	Read multiple files at once
write_file	Create or overwrite a file
edit_file	Make line-based edits to a file
create_directory	Create directory structure
list_directory	List files and directories

How to install the VSCode Context MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vscode-context": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "npm"]
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Example prompts to try

“Use VSCode Context MCP to get vscode context.”
“Use VSCode Context MCP to get attached files.”
“Use VSCode Context MCP to get project path.”

Frequently asked questions

Be careful what commands you ask the server to run. In Claude Desktop, use “Approve Once” instead of “Allow for This Chat” so you can review each action. Deny any command you don’t trust. The server does not yet implement comprehensive security measures.