Best MCP Servers for VS Code in 2025: Setup, Compatibility, and Security Guide

Best MCP Servers for VS Code

The best MCP servers for VS Code include Perplexity, Fetch, GitHub MCP server, and auto-discovered servers from Claude Desktop. These servers integrate with VS Code’s agent mode, extending AI capabilities by allowing interaction with files, databases, APIs, and other external services through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Understanding MCP Servers in VS Code

MCP (Model Context Protocol) defines a client-server communication standard. VS Code acts as an MCP client, connecting to MCP servers, which provide tools like file system access or repository management. The protocol covers message formats for discovery, invocation, and response between client and server.

Common MCP servers expose specific sets of tools such as reading/writing files, managing pull requests, or querying databases. This enhances AI-assisted workflows, particularly with GitHub Copilot in agent mode.

Popular MCP Servers Compatible with VS Code

• Perplexity MCP Server Used widely as a reference for configuration examples, it connects to the Perplexity API to support AI queries. command: npx server-perplexity-ask
• Fetch MCP Server Provides generic fetch capabilities for web requests, enhancing AI interaction with online APIs. command: uvx mcp-server-fetch
• GitHub MCP Server Enables repository listing, pull request creation, and issue management directly via VS Code in agent mode.
• Claude Desktop MCP Servers Automatically discovered by VS Code, these servers provide additional AI-enhanced tools and services without manual setup.
• Custom Remote Servers Enterprises can configure remote MCP servers over HTTP or SSE, e.g., http://api.contoso.com/sse, for bespoke workflows.

Setting Up MCP Servers in VS Code

There are three main ways to add MCP servers in VS Code:

1. Workspace Configuration Create a .vscode/mcp.json in your project folder. Use VS Code’s IntelliSense to assist configuration. Example for Perplexity MCP server: { “inputs”: [ { “type”: “promptString”, “id”: “perplexity-key”, “description”: “Perplexity API Key”, “password”: true } ], “servers”: { “Perplexity”: { “type”: “stdio”, “command”: “npx”, “args”: [“-y”, “server-perplexity-ask”], “env”: { “PERPLEXITY_API_KEY”: “${input:perplexity-key}” } } } }
2. User Settings Add MCP servers globally across all workspaces via VS Code’s user settings JSON: { “mcp”: { “servers”: { “myMcpServer”: { “type”: “stdio”, “command”: “my-command”, “args”: [] } } } }
3. Automatic Discovery Enable MCP server discovery from other tools like Claude Desktop using setting chat.mcp.discovery.enabled.

Transport Protocol Support

VS Code supports multiple transport types to communicate with MCP servers:

Type	Description
stdio	Standard input/output streams for local server processes
sse	Server-Sent Events over HTTP for streaming data from remote servers
http	Streamable HTTP connections to access remote MCP services

more — How to Set Up Model Context Protocol for Effective LLM Integration

Managing MCP Servers and Tools

VS Code provides commands such as MCP: List Servers for server overview. From the Command Palette, users can start, stop, or restart MCP servers.

In agent mode, select and toggle tools provided by MCP servers before invoking them in chat. The interface requires confirmation before some tool executions to prevent unwanted changes.

Direct tool invocation is possible by typing # followed by the tool name in the chat input.

Security Considerations

MCP servers may execute arbitrary code on your local system. Only add MCP servers from trusted sources and review configurations carefully to mitigate risks.

Resources and References for MCP Servers

• Official MCP servers repository
• Community collections like punkpeye/awesome-mcp-servers on GitHub
• Documentation and SDKs from the Model Context Protocol official project

Key Takeaways

• Best MCP servers for VS Code include Perplexity, Fetch, GitHub MCP server, and auto-discovered servers such as Claude Desktop.
• MCP enables AI models in VS Code to securely access external tools via standardized protocols supporting stdio, SSE, and HTTP.
• Add MCP servers through workspace settings (.vscode/mcp.json), user settings, or enable auto-discovery.
• VS Code provides managing commands to list, start, stop, and troubleshoot MCP servers and their tools.
• Always verify MCP server sources and avoid hardcoding secrets; use input prompts or environment files.

Unlocking the Power: Best MCP Servers for VS Code in 2025

Wondering what the best MCP servers for VS Code are? Let’s cut to the chase: MCP servers powered by Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, and more are at the forefront of AI-enhanced coding in VS Code. They supercharge GitHub Copilot’s agent mode, giving developers game-changing access to file systems, databases, and web APIs right from their editor.

Not convinced yet? Stick with me — this post dives deep into the nuts and bolts of MCP servers in VS Code. You’ll find detailed steps to add them, explore standout servers, and learn how these tools make your coding smarter, faster, and frankly, a lot cooler.

What Is an MCP Server and Why Should You Care?

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol, an open standard that lets AI models like GitHub Copilot talk to external services through one neat package. Think of MCP as the ultimate translator and connecter between your AI coding assistant and powerful tools like file readers, database query runners, or even GitHub’s own API environment.

The magic happens in a client-server setup:

• VS Code acts as the MCP client, sending commands.
• MCP servers expose specific toolsets — reading files, managing pull requests, or querying APIs.
• The protocol defines how messages flow between VS Code and these servers, ensuring smooth discovery, invocation, and result delivery.

For example, GitHub’s MCP server offers handy capabilities to list repositories, manage issues, and orchestrate pull requests — straight from your editor without leaving your workspace.

How to Add MCP Servers in VS Code — The Practical Guide

Adding MCP servers might sound like rocket science, but VS Code eases the pain like a pro barista at your favorite coffee shop. Here’s how you do it:

1. Create a .vscode/mcp.json file in your workspace.
2. Tap the “Add Server” button in VS Code. It serves up a template ready to be tuned with your server details.
3. Configure your server, plugging in details such as command, arguments, environment variables, and API keys. VS Code offers IntelliSense, so you get helpful hints while typing.

Example? Here’s a snippet defining a Perplexity MCP server:

{
inputs: [
{
type: “promptString”,
id: “perplexity-key”,
description: “Perplexity API Key”,
password: true
}
],
servers: {
Perplexity: {
type: “stdio”,
command: “npx”,
args: [“-y”, “server-perplexity-ask”],
env: { “PERPLEXITY_API_KEY”: “${input:perplexity-key}” }
}
}
}

This neat config ensures your API key stays secret and secure, while VS Code manages server lifecycle smoothly. Oh, and don’t crudely hardcode sensitive keys—your future self will thank you.

Popular MCP Servers You Should Know in 2025

Jumping on the MCP train means picking the right engines. Here’s the express list of servers that developers rave about:

• Perplexity MCP server: Packs powerful knowledge retrieval and natural language processing skills to assist your coding queries.
• Fetch Server: Ideal for tasks that require fetching data or resources remotely. It’s lightweight and efficient.
• GitHub MCP Server: Manages GitHub repos and PRs without ever leaving VS Code’s comfy environment.
• Custom Remote Servers: Like your own API at http://api.contoso.com/sse, letting you hook bespoke MCP tools designed just for your workflow.
• Claude Desktop MCP servers: Auto-discovered by VS Code, these servers bring Claude’s AI magic directly into your workspace, hassle-free.
• ChatGPT, MistralAI, Grok, Gemini, DeepSeek: These also make waves, offering various AI capabilities accessible through MCP.

If your choice was “all of the above,” you’re already winning the award for best developer setup of 2025!

Why Use MCP Servers with VS Code’s GitHub Copilot? Spoiler: They Make AI Agents Actually Useful

Imagine having an AI sidekick who not only chats but also rolls up its sleeves to perform tasks: running tests, debugging code, generating files, and even deploying projects.

MCP servers transform this aspiration into reality by extending AI models’ reach — they get access to the context of your codebase and services securely. Instead of dry, generic responses, AI can now invoke specialized tools, analyze code, fetch metadata, or make real-world system changes.

Some real-world wins include:

• Semantic understanding tools like “Find Usages” and “Rename” exposed directly to AI models, enabling smarter code fixes.
• File system operations such as reading or updating code snippets without manual intervention.
• Database connections and API calls integrated smoothly, so AI agents can pull real-time data into your workflows.
• GitHub interactions – managing PRs and issues from the same place you write code.

The bottom line? If you’re still clicking around manually while your AI can do it all, you’re missing out on some serious efficiency gains.

Read — Best MCP Servers for Claude Desktop Improve Performance and Customization

Managing and Using MCP Servers in VS Code: A Walkthrough

Once you’ve added MCP servers, managing and using them is a breeze.

Start by opening Chat view (Ctrl+Alt+I on Windows/Linux or ⌃⌘I on macOS) and select Agent mode. Hit the Tools button, and voilà: a list of available MCP server tools at your fingertips.

Want to test a tool?

1. Type your prompt in the chat. The AI agent automatically invokes relevant tools.
2. Confirm actions as prompted (safety first!) or configure to auto-approve trusted tools.
3. Edit tool input parameters on the fly if needed — click the chevron next to a tool for details.

Feeling lucky? Reference a tool directly by typing #toolName right in the prompt. It’s like tagging your AI assistant with “Hey, check this out!”

Also, gain total visibility by running MCP: List Servers from the Command Palette: start/restart servers, check logs, and diagnose issues without leaving VS Code.

Tips for Setting Up MCP Servers Securely and Smoothly

• Only use MCP servers from trusted sources. Since MCP servers can execute code on your machine, it pays to be cautious.
• Don’t hardcode sensitive data. Use input fields and environment variables to securely store API keys.
• Try auto-discovery for convenience. Enable chat.mcp.discovery.enabled to let VS Code find servers from other tools like Claude Desktop.
• Use camelCase and descriptive names for your servers in configuration to avoid confusion and conflicts.
• Leverage the built-in IntelliSense in your mcp.json — it saves time and prevents config errors.

Advanced Users: Automate MCP Server Setup and Development

Fan of automation? Use the VS Code CLI to add MCP servers programmatically:

code –add-mcp ‘{name:”my-server”,command:”uvx”,args:[“mcp-server-fetch”]}’

Want to install MCP servers via a URL? VS Code supports a URL handler like:

vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22my-server%22%2C%22command%22%3A%22uvx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22mcp-server-fetch%22%5D%7D

This lets you distribute MCP server installs simply by sharing a link. Neat, huh?

Thinking of building your own MCP server? The protocol is language-agnostic — any language that can handle standard output works. And you have official MCP SDKs to kickstart your project easily.

When Things Go Wrong: Troubleshooting MCP Servers

Sometimes your MCP servers might throw a tantrum. Don’t panic:

• Watch for error indicators inside the Chat view.
• Click the notification and select Show Output to dig into logs.
• Try restarting the server via MCP: List Servers and examine server logs.
• If using Docker, confirm your container isn’t running in detached mode (-d flag) which can block output.

Armed with your detective skills and VS Code’s tools, you’ll diagnose MCP server hiccups in no time.

Where to Find More MCP Servers and Resources

Hungry for more servers to feed your AI-driven coding beast? Check out these goldmines:

• MCP Official Server Repository: Explore a variety of servers for file systems, databases, web services, and more.
• Awesome MCP Servers by punkpeye: A curated list with cool, useful MCP server projects.
• MCP Server List: Keep up-to-date with new MCP servers and clients.
• Digma.ai MCP Server Roundup: Monthly updates on the best MCP servers for devs.
• Snyk.io MCP Servers Guide: Security and best practices recommendations.

Final Thoughts: MCP Servers Are a Must-Explore Adventure in VS Code

If your development setup with GitHub Copilot still feels like a chat-only experience, you’re missing out big time. Best MCP servers for VS Code open a door to enhanced, actionable AI assistance right inside your favorite editor.

They empower AI to not just suggest code, but interact directly with your projects, automate repetitive tasks, and drastically boost productivity. Whether your focus is seamless file operations, GitHub management, or pushing your own custom MCP server into action, the protocol scales to your needs.

Your next steps? Start small by adding a well-supported server like Perplexity or GitHub MCP server to your workspace. Explore agent mode, toggle tools on and off, and test commands. Then expand to advanced servers or build your own. Welcome to the future of AI-assisted programming—where smart meets hands-on.

So, ready to unleash the full power of AI in VS Code? MCP servers are waiting. What server will you add first?

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What types of MCP servers can I add to VS Code for enhanced AI tool integration?

You can add MCP servers supporting stdio, server-sent events (sse), or streamable HTTP (http) transport. These servers provide tools that your AI model can invoke within VS Code.

How do I securely add and manage MCP servers in my VS Code workspace?

Create a .vscode/mcp.json file with your server config. Use input placeholders to avoid hardcoding sensitive info like API keys. Use the MCP: List Servers command to manage configured servers.

Can VS Code automatically discover MCP servers from other tools?

Yes, enabling the setting chat.mcp.discovery.enabled lets VS Code auto-discover MCP servers defined in compatible tools like Claude Desktop, simplifying integration.

What naming conventions should I follow when configuring MCP servers in VS Code?

Use camelCase names without spaces or special characters. Make names descriptive and unique, such as github or database, to avoid conflicts and improve clarity.

Is it possible to share MCP server configurations with my team?

Yes, by adding your servers in the workspace settings via .vscode/mcp.json, you can share the setup across your team, ensuring consistent MCP server usage in the project.