> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://v2.dataos.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://v2.dataos.info/consume/consume-with-ai/connect-clients/copilot-vs-code.md).

# Copilot in VS Code

Connecting Copilot in VS Code to Data Product MCP lets it answer your data questions from governed Data Products instead of guessing, using a project-level MCP configuration file so trusted data is available right where you code.

From the Data Product page, select **Activate → MCP**, then select **View install guide** on the **Copilot in VS Code** card to open the step-by-step guide.

![Copilot in VS Code install guide showing the .vscode/mcp.json configuration](/files/hXMQMxgNSvGgtCqNhYuL)

## Prerequisites

You need:

* VS Code with the GitHub Copilot extension installed and signed in.
* Your DataOS instance URL, such as `pacific-051426.dataos.cloud`.
* A DataOS API token generated from [Home → Generate API tokens](/consume/get-started/readme-1.md#get-a-dataos-api-token).

## Steps

### 1. Create the MCP config file

Create `.vscode/mcp.json` in the root of your project.

### 2. Add the Data Product MCP server

{% hint style="danger" %}
**API token security.** API tokens are secrets. Don't commit them to source control. `.vscode/mcp.json` lives at your project root and can easily be committed by accident.

* Prefer storing the token in a user-level or machine-level config outside your repository, or pass it through an environment variable.
* If you do place the token in `.vscode/mcp.json`, add `.vscode/mcp.json` to your `.gitignore` immediately to prevent it from being committed.
  {% endhint %}

Paste the following configuration, replacing `<instance-url>` and `<API_TOKEN>` with your values.

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "DataProduct-MCP": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://<instance-url>/dataproduct-mcp/api/v1",
      "headers": {
        "apikey": "<API_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### 3. Reload VS Code

Reload the window so Copilot can read the MCP configuration.

### 4. Verify the connection

Open Copilot Chat and confirm **DataProduct-MCP** appears in the MCP tools list. Then ask:

```
What data products are available to consume?
```

Copilot should return Data Products from your DataOS instance, scoped to your token permissions.


---

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