---
title: Connect VS Code
description: Add the looot MCP server to VS Code (GitHub Copilot agent mode), sign in with the browser or a stored secret, and check it works.
sidebar:
  label: VS Code
---

<ClientHeader id="vscode" />

VS Code reaches looot's catalog, balance and runs over MCP, through GitHub Copilot's agent mode.

Before you start you need a looot account. The runs you make spend the organization's balance, so
top up before your first paid run. See [Before your first run](/money#before-your-first-run).

:::note
Not tested by hand yet. Steps follow [the client's own docs](https://code.visualstudio.com/api/extension-guides/ai/mcp); if a menu has moved, that page wins.
:::

## Sign in with the browser

The server URL is `https://api.looot.ai/mcp`. Nothing to copy: you sign in on looot.ai, pick the organization to bill and click **Connect**.

[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install_looot-0098FF?logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?name=looot&config=%7B%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.looot.ai%2Fmcp%22%7D)

**One-click link**

```text
vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22looot%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fapi.looot.ai%2Fmcp%22%7D
```

**Command line**

```bash
code --add-mcp '{"name":"looot","type":"http","url":"https://api.looot.ai/mcp"}'
```

**.vscode/mcp.json**

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "looot": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.looot.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

## Headless: a token in the header

Only for CI and machines with no browser. Create an agent token in [Settings](https://looot.ai/settings) and send it as `Authorization: Bearer <token>`. Never commit it.

**Headless: .vscode/mcp.json with a prompted secret**

```json
{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "looot-token",
      "description": "looot agent token",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "looot": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.looot.ai/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:looot-token}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Notes

- VS Code registers its client with dynamic client registration and opens the browser to sign in.

The header fallback above prompts you for the token once, through VS Code's own secret input, and
stores it there. The token is never written into the file.

## Check it works

Ask the agent to call [`balance`](/mcp-tools/balance) or [`catalog_overview`](/mcp-tools/catalog-overview). Both are free. A working connection
answers with your available balance, or the catalog's categories and job counts.

## What you see when you connect

The browser opens looot.ai and shows the consent page: which organization to bill, which scopes
to grant and how long to stay connected. See [The consent page](/connect#the-consent-page).

<Related />