vscode-as-mcp-server

# VSCode as MCP Server [Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=acomagu.vscode-as-mcp-server) A VSCode extension that turns your VSCode into an MCP server, enabling advanced coding assistance from MCP clients like Claude Desktop. ## Key Features ### Code Editing Support - Review proposed code changes from an LLM through diffs, allowing you to accept, reject, or provide feedback. - Real-time diagnostic messages (e.g., type errors) sent instantly to the LLM for immediate corrections.  ### Terminal Operations - Execute commands within VSCode’s integrated terminal (supports background/foreground execution, and timeout settings). ### Preview Tools - Preview URLs directly within VSCode’s built-in browser (e.g., automatically opens browser preview after starting a Vite server).  ### Multi-instance Switching - Easily switch the MCP server between multiple open VSCode windows.(Just by clicking the status bar item)  ### Relay Functionality (Experimental) - Relay and expose built-in MCP servers introduced in VSCode 1.99 externally. - Allows external access to tools provided by other MCP extensions, such as GitHub Copilot. ## Available Built-in Tools - **execute_command**: Execute commands in VSCode’s integrated terminal - **code_checker**: Retrieve current diagnostics for your code - **focus_editor**: Focus specific locations within files - **list_debug_sessions** / **start_debug_session** / **restart_debug_session** / **stop_debug_session**: Manage debug sessions - **text_editor**: File operations (view, replace, create, insert, undo) - **list_directory**: List directory contents in a tree format - **get_terminal_output**: Fetch output from a specified terminal - **list_vscode_commands** / **execute_vscode_command**: List and execute arbitrary VSCode commands - **preview_url**: Open URLs within VSCode’s integrated browser ## Installation & Setup 1. Install the extension from the [VSCode Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=acomagu.vscode-as-mcp-server). 2. Configure your MCP client: - **Using mcp-installer**: You can simply instruct it to "install the vscode-as-mcp-server MCP server". - **Other clients like Claude Desktop**: Add the following to your configuration file (`claude_desktop_config.json`): ```json { "mcpServers": { "vscode": { "command": "npx", "args": ["vscode-as-mcp-server"] } } } ``` 3. Check the MCP server status in the bottom-right VSCode status bar: - (Server icon): Server is running - ∅: Click to start the server  ## Motivation This extension was developed to mitigate high costs associated with metered coding tools (like Roo Code and Cursor). It's an affordable, self-hosted alternative built directly into VSCode. Bug reports and feedback are very welcome! 🙇 ## Future Roadmap - Ability to select which built-in MCP servers to expose - WebView-based approval UI (similar to Roo Code) - Integration with VSCode's file history (Timeline) - Instant toggling of auto-approvals and tool activation/deactivation - Customizable server port configuration