VS Code Extension

Use VS Code MCP Server as a goose Extension for file operations and VS Code integration

This tutorial covers how to add the VS Code MCP Server as a goose extension to enable VS Code integration, file operations, and development workflow management.

Quick Install

Command

npx vscode-mcp-server

Required Setup

Install the VS Code MCP Extension from the Visual Studio Marketplace.

Configuration

Note that you'll need Node.js installed on your system to run this command, as it uses npx.

Add the VS Code MCP Extension to your VS Code. No additional settings required in VS Code.

goose CLI

Run the configure command:

goose configure

Choose to add a Command-line Extension

  ┌   goose-configure 
  │
  ◇  What would you like to configure?
  │  Add Extension 
  │
  ◆  What type of extension would you like to add?
  │  ○ Built-in Extension 
  // highlight-start    
  │  ● Command-line Extension (Run a local command or script)
  // highlight-end    
  │  ○ Remote Extension 
  └

Give your extension a name

  ┌   goose-configure 
  │
  ◇  What would you like to configure?
  │  Add Extension 
  │
  ◇  What type of extension would you like to add?
  │  Command-line Extension 
  │
  // highlight-start
  ◆  What would you like to call this extension?
  │  vscode-mcp
  // highlight-end
  └

Enter the command

  ┌   goose-configure 
  │
  ◇  What would you like to configure?
  │  Add Extension 
  │
  ◇  What type of extension would you like to add?
  │  Command-line Extension 
  │
  ◇  What would you like to call this extension?
  │  vscode-mcp
  │
  // highlight-start
  ◆  What command should be run?
  │  npx vscode-mcp-server
  // highlight-end
  └

Enter the timeout value (default 300s is recommended)

┌   goose-configure 
│
◇  What would you like to configure?
│  Add Extension 
│
◇  What type of extension would you like to add?
│  Command-line Extension 
│
◇  What would you like to call this extension?
│  vscode-mcp
│
◇  What command should be run?
│  npx vscode-mcp-server install
│
// highlight-start
◆  Please set the timeout for this tool (in secs):
│  300
// highlight-end
│
└

No additional environment variables are required for basic setup

goose Desktop

Launch the installer
Press Yes to confirm the installation
Click Save Configuration
Click Exit from the upper left corner

Example Usage

The VS Code MCP extension enables goose to interact with your VS Code environment, managing files, projects, and development workflows.

The key strength of the VS Code MCP Server is its ability to:

Show diffs before making changes
Integrate file operations with VS Code's interface
Manage project workspaces
Provide immediate visual feedback in the editor

Every time you start a goose session with the VS Code MCP server enabled, it checks to see if a matching project is open in VS Code. If not, it will prompt you to open the project before proceeding.

goose Prompt

Update the contributing guide with instructions on how to start docusaurus dev server

Result

session showing goose making updates and VS Code prompting user to accept or reject changes