VS Code reads its MCP servers from .vscode/mcp.json under the servers key. MCP: Add Server in the command palette walks you through it and asks whether the target is Workspace or Global. MCP: List Servers shows the state of each entry. VS Code asks you to confirm you trust the server and its capabilities before it starts. Nothing runs until you answer.
| Scope | Path |
|---|---|
| This workspace | <workspace>/.vscode/mcp.json |
| Every workspace | the user profile mcp.json, opened by the MCP: Open User Configuration command |
The top-level key is "servers", not "mcpServers". A config pasted from a Claude Desktop or Cursor README parses cleanly, contributes no servers, and gives you no error to read, which makes it the most expensive one-word mistake here. Alongside it an "inputs" array holds secrets. The newer Agent Host reads a workspace .mcp.json instead.
| MCP Time Tracker in VS Code Track billable time without leaving the chat. |
| MCP Price Tracker in VS Code Check and watch product prices on ordinary shop pages. |
| MCP Spreadsheet in VS Code Read, query, edit and convert xlsx and csv files safely. |
| MCP Invoice in VS Code Numbered invoices with tax lines, rendered to a PDF. |
| MCP Expense Tracker in VS Code Receipts, mileage and expenses that turn into invoice lines. |
| MCP Currency Converter in VS Code ECB reference rates with the rate date on every answer. |
| MCP Docx in VS Code Real Word documents from chat: proposals, contracts, quotes. |
| MCP Timezone Planner in VS Code Find meeting slots inside everyone's working hours. |
| MCP Office Suite in VS Code One config entry that exposes every tool of the five servers. |
Each page carries the exact config entry, three prompts that were run against the server, and the hosted alternative that needs no install.
Cursor · Windsurf · All clients · Guides · VS Code MCP docs