# VS Code

Source: /docs/mcp/connect/vscode

VS Code reads MCP servers from an `mcp.json` file — either your user-level one, available in every workspace, or a `.vscode/mcp.json` inside a project.

### Get a token [#get-a-token]

Open the dashboard's [Connect an agent](https://app.orbitorca.com/mcp) page and create a token. **Read & write** is the recommended choice — it lets the agent deploy, restart, and manage your apps hands-free. Pick read-only if the agent should only look. The full token is shown **once**, at creation — copy it now.

### Add the server [#add-the-server]

Run **MCP: Open User Configuration** from the command palette to open your user `mcp.json` (or create `.vscode/mcp.json` in a workspace), and add this block with your token in place of `{{token}}`:

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "orbitorca": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.orbitorca.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer {{token}}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

VS Code picks the server up as soon as you save; if the agent doesn't see it, run **MCP: List Servers** and start it from there.

### Try it [#try-it]

In Copilot chat, in agent mode, ask it to *"list my OrbitOrca apps"*. If it comes back with your apps, you're connected.

The dashboard's [Connect an agent](https://app.orbitorca.com/mcp) page generates this block with your token already filled in — copy it from there if you'd rather not edit by hand.

Next: [what a token can and can't do](/docs/mcp/scopes-and-safety).