VS Code MCP Server
A VS Code extension that runs a local MCP server so an agent can search symbols, edit files and run commands in the terminal
- 391 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Broad access
Why this level
- Runs commands in the integrated terminal and writes project files
- There is no authentication: any local process that reaches the port gets the same rights
- Can move and overwrite files when the overwrite parameter is allowed
Install
- Works in
Manual install
{"mcpServers": {"vscode-mcp-server": {"command": "npx", "args": ["mcp-remote@next", "http://localhost:3000/mcp"]}}}Switch the server on first by clicking the status bar icon.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- Runs commands in the integrated terminal and writes project files
- There is no authentication: any local process that reaches the port gets the same rights
- Can move and overwrite files when the overwrite parameter is allowed
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The VS Code MCP Server extension turns the editor into an MCP server. Claude Desktop, Claude Code and other clients connect to it over Streamable HTTP and get what VS Code itself offers: symbol search, a file outline, definitions and hover information, and errors and warnings across the whole workspace. The file tools list directories, read a file with a character limit, copy files, and rename or move files and folders. When renaming and moving, VS Code updates references and imports. For edits there is file creation and a line-range replacement, where the agent must pass the original code for validation. A separate tool runs a command in the integrated terminal. The server is switched on by clicking an icon in the status bar and listens on 127.0.0.1, port 3000, path /mcp. For Claude Code the author suggests disabling the file tools and keeping the symbol ones, so VS Code complements the agent and does not repeat its own tools.
Who it is for. For people working in VS Code who want Claude Desktop or Claude Code to use its symbol index, diagnostics and renames that update references.
Good fit when
- Claude Code needs symbol search and a file outline from VS Code so it does not read whole files
- After edits you need errors and warnings across the whole workspace from the get_diagnostics_code tool
- You need to rename or move a file so VS Code updates imports and references
- Claude Desktop should edit the project open in the editor and run the build in its terminal
- You want to turn off unneeded tool groups through the enabledTools setting: file, edit, shell, diagnostics, symbol
Not a fit when
- You want to connect over a network or expose the port: the extension is meant for local use
- You work in several workspaces at once: only one is supported
- You use a client that speaks only SSE: the extension serves Streamable HTTP
- You need to copy directories: the copy tool works with files only
Example request
Find every class named Handler in the project, show the outline of the file with the main one and check diagnostics after the rename.MCP
- Transport
- http
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
VS Code 1.99 or later is required, and the extension targets one workspace. The server starts disabled and defaults to `127.0.0.1:3000` when enabled. Its address is configurable, with no built-in authentication: changing it to an external address exposes tools over the network. The project has not been updated recently: last commit in January 2026.
All categories, including shell commands, are initially enabled. Disable unnecessary ones through `enabledTools`; the server adds no separate per-action approval. The MCP client receives source code and diagnostics, so a local address does not prevent transmission to a model.
It uses Streamable HTTP, with `mcp-remote` documented for Claude Desktop. Line replacement requires matching original text; copying directories is unsupported. The license is MIT.
How to disable. Switch the server off by clicking the status bar icon or disable the extension in VS Code. Then remove the vscode-mcp-server entry from the MCP client configuration.
FAQ
How do I connect VS Code MCP Server to Claude Desktop?
Install the extension, switch the server on in the status bar and add a server to claude_desktop_config.json with the command npx and the arguments mcp-remote@next and http://localhost:3000/mcp.
Which tools does the extension provide?
File tools (list_files_code, read_file_code, move_file_code, rename_file_code, copy_file_code), edits (create_file_code, replace_lines_code), the get_diagnostics_code diagnostics tool, symbol tools (search_symbols_code, get_symbol_definition_code, get_document_symbols_code) and execute_shell_command_code for the terminal.
Is it safe to leave the server on?
The author warns that the extension executes shell commands and has no authentication. Trust only your own MCP client and do not expose the port. By default the server listens on 127.0.0.1.
How do I keep only symbol search for Claude Code?
The vscode-mcp-server.enabledTools setting selects enabled categories: file, edit, shell, diagnostics and symbol. Keep symbol and Claude Code gets VS Code capabilities without duplicating its own file tools.
What if a line edit does not apply?
replace_lines_code needs the exact original text of the lines being replaced. Reread the lines with read_file_code and retry, and for large changes use create_file_code with overwrite=true.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VS Code MCP Server (this card) | no | not required | 391 | |
| Serena | no | not required | 31,148 | a standalone MCP server with language servers, independent of the editor |
| Claude Debugs For You | no | not required | 514 | a VS Code extension with MCP for debugging: breakpoints and stepping |
| DebugMCP | yes | not required | 579 | Microsoft's official debugging server for VS Code, aimed at debugging, with no file edits or symbol search |
README in short
The extension complements an agent’s file tools with information from VS Code language services. For that use, keep symbol and diagnostic categories while disabling file edits and shell access in the extension settings.