Install MCP servers in VS Code.

1. Create the config file

In your project root, create .vscode/mcp.json. If the .vscode folder does not exist, create it first.

my-project/ .vscode/ mcp.json

2. Add a server

Every server page on MCP Select includes a VS Code install snippet. Copy it into mcp.json. Example for Playwright MCP:

{
  "servers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Note: VS Code uses servers, not mcpServers, at the top level.

3. Restart VS Code

Close VS Code completely and reopen it. Copilot discovers MCP tools on startup. Reloading the window is not always enough.

4. Verify the tools

Open the Copilot chat panel and ask:

What tools are available from the Playwright MCP server?

If the server is configured correctly, Copilot will list the tools and can invoke them. If nothing shows up, check the Output panel for MCP connection errors.