VS Code Integration

VS Code requires an AI extension that supports MCP to use Pointa. Setup varies by extension.

Prerequisites

You need an MCP-compatible AI extension:

  • GitHub Copilot Chat (with MCP support)
  • Continue
  • Other MCP-enabled extensions

Check your extension's documentation for MCP support.

General Setup

Step 1: Start the Server

Since VS Code extensions often require URL-based MCP:

npx pointa-server start

Verify it's running:

npx pointa-server status

Step 2: Configure Your Extension

Each extension has different configuration. Generally, you'll need to add:

Endpoint URL:

http://127.0.0.1:4242/mcp

Extension-Specific Notes

GitHub Copilot Chat

If Copilot Chat adds MCP support:

  1. Check Copilot settings for MCP configuration
  2. Add the Pointa endpoint: http://127.0.0.1:4242/mcp

Continue

Continue may support MCP configuration in its settings:

  1. Open Continue settings
  2. Look for MCP or external tools configuration
  3. Add the Pointa server URL

Other Extensions

Consult your specific extension's documentation for:

  • Where to configure MCP servers
  • Supported transport types (HTTP, SSE, stdio)
  • Any authentication requirements

Using Pointa with VS Code

Once configured, use your AI extension as normal:

  • "Check Pointa for annotations"
  • "Implement the Pointa feedback"
  • "Read Pointa bug reports"

The AI extension will use MCP to communicate with Pointa.

Keeping the Server Running

Unlike Cursor, VS Code typically doesn't auto-start MCP servers.

Manual Start

Start before using:

npx pointa-server start

Auto-Start on Login

Add to your shell profile (.zshrc, .bashrc):

# Start Pointa server on login
npx pointa-server start 2>/dev/null &

System Service

For persistent running, create a launch agent (macOS) or systemd service (Linux).

Troubleshooting

Extension not seeing tools

  1. Verify server is running:

    curl http://127.0.0.1:4242/health

  2. Check extension logs for connection errors

  3. Try restarting VS Code

Connection refused

The server isn't running or is on a different port:

npx pointa-server status
npx pointa-server start

Port conflicts

If 4242 is in use:

POINTA_PORT=4243 npx pointa-server start

Update your extension configuration to use the new port.

Limitations

VS Code integration depends entirely on your AI extension's MCP support:

  • Some extensions may not support MCP yet
  • Feature availability varies by extension
  • Auto-start may not be available

For the best experience, consider using Cursor or Claude Code.

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