MCP with VS Code

Overview

This guide walks you through installing and configuring the raia MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server in Visual Studio Code.

Once configured, VS Code can connect to raia’s MCP endpoint and expose raia tools directly inside your editor.

---

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

• ✅ Visual Studio Code installed (v1.103+ recommended)

• ✅ A valid raia MCP endpoint URL

• ✅ A valid raia API key

• ✅ Internet access to reach:

  https://api.raia2.com/mcp

---

Step 1 — Install Required MCP Support in VS Code

VS Code requires MCP support to connect to HTTP-based MCP servers.

1. Open Extensions

• Click the Extensions icon in the left sidebar.

• Search for:

  Model Context Protocol

2. Install an MCP-Compatible Extension

You can use:

• Azure MCP Server (Microsoft)

• Or another MCP-compatible extension that supports HTTP servers

Click Install.

Note: If prompted about Restricted Mode, click Trust to enable full functionality.

---

Step 2 — Add the raia MCP Server

1. Open Command Palette

Mac:

Cmd + Shift + P

Windows:

Ctrl + Shift + P

2. Type:

MCP: Add Server

3. Choose Server Type

Select:

HTTP (HTTP or Server-Sent Events)

4. Enter the Server URL

When prompted, enter:

https://api.raia2.com/mcp

Press Enter.

---

Step 3 — Configure Authorization Header

The raia MCP server requires an API key.

Open User MCP Configuration

In Command Palette:

MCP: Open User Configuration

This opens your mcp.json file.

---

Update mcp.json

Replace or update the configuration so it looks like this:

{
  "servers": {
    "raia-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.raia2.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "YOUR_API_KEY_OF_AGENT_FROM_RAIA_MCP_SKILL"
      }
    }
  },
 "inputs": [
    "Use the RAIA MCP for questions related to legacy code",
    "Call raia-mcp when user asks about XXXXX product"
  ]
}

🔑 Important

• Use the Key provided in the raia MCP Skill (not the Agent API Ket)

• Do not include Bearer before your API key.

• Do not include extra spaces.

---

Step 4 — Restart MCP Server

After saving:

1. Open Command Palette

2. Run:

MCP: List Servers

1. Select raia-mcp

2. Click Start Server

---

Step 5 — Verify It’s Running

Go to:

View → Output

Select:

MCP: raia-mcp

You should see logs similar to:

Starting server raia-mcp
Connection state: Running
Discovered 1 tools

If you see:

Connection state: Running

✅ Setup is successful.

---

Optional: Enable Auto-Start

In VS Code Settings:

1. Search:

chat.mcp.autostart

1. Set to:

newAndOutdated

This prevents having to manually restart the MCP server.

---

Example of it working:

Common Error:

2026-02-15 09:46:45.378 [info] Starting server raia-mcp
2026-02-15 09:46:45.378 [info] Connection state: Starting
2026-02-15 09:46:45.378 [info] Starting server from LocalWebWorker extension host
2026-02-15 09:46:45.381 [info] Connection state: Running
2026-02-15 09:46:45.560 [info] Connection state: Error Error sending message to https://api.raia2.com/mcp: TypeError: Failed to fetch

This error happens due to CORS. To fix follow these instructions:

Put these instructions into the AI Chat in VS Code

# RAIA MCP Setup Guide for Cloud VS Code

Complete step-by-step instructions to set up the RAIA MCP server in cloud-based VS Code (VS Code Web, Codespaces, or cloud IDE).

---

## Step 1: Locate Your Configuration Files

In cloud VS Code, settings are typically stored in the cloud profile. You need to find or create:

```
~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json
```

Or if using VS Code Web/Codespaces:
```
.vscode/mcp.json
```

### How to Check

Open the **Integrated Terminal** in cloud VS Code:
- Press `Ctrl + ~` (backtick)
- Run: `ls ~/.config/Code/User/` or `ls .vscode/`

---

## Step 2: Create/Update mcp.json

### Option A: Using VS Code UI

1. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + K Cmd/Ctrl + O` to open a folder
2. Create a new file: `.vscode/mcp.json`
3. Paste this configuration:

```jsonc
{
  "servers": {
    "raia-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.raia2.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "5980e9f1-47b2-49c1-b166-3c157afdaaa5"
      }
    }
  },
  "inputs": [
    "Use the RAIA MCP for researching code for Quantum",
    "Call raia-mcp when user asks about how the legacy code works"
  ]
}
```

4. **Save** the file (`Cmd/Ctrl + S`)

### Option B: Using Terminal

Open the integrated terminal and run:

```bash
# Create the directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p ~/.config/Code/User

# Create the mcp.json file
cat > ~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json << 'EOF'
{
  "servers": {
    "raia-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.raia2.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "5980e9f1-47b2-49c1-b166-3c157afdaaa5"
      }
    }
  },
  "inputs": [
    "Use the RAIA MCP for researching code for Quantum",
    "Call raia-mcp when user asks about how the legacy code works"
  ]
}
EOF
```

---

## Step 3: Enable MCP in Settings

### Option A: Via VS Code Settings UI

1. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + ,` to open Settings
2. Search for: `chat.mcp.autostart`
3. Toggle the checkbox **ON**
4. Search for: `chat.mcp.enabled`
5. Toggle the checkbox **ON**

### Option B: Via settings.json

1. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P`
2. Search for: `Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)`
3. Add these lines (or update if they exist):

```json
{
  "chat.mcp.autostart": true,
  "chat.mcp.enabled": true
}
```

4. **Save** the file

---

## Step 4: Verify the Configuration

### Check File Exists

In the integrated terminal, run:

```bash
# For cloud VS Code with cloud profile
cat ~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json

# OR for local .vscode folder
cat .vscode/mcp.json
```

You should see your RAIA MCP configuration printed.

### Test Network Connection

Before reloading VS Code, verify the MCP server is reachable:

```bash
curl -s -X POST "https://api.raia2.com/mcp" \
  -H "Authorization: 5980e9f1-47b2-49c1-b166-3c157afdaaa5" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": "tools/list", "id": 1}' | head -20
```

**Expected output**: Should show a response starting with `event: message` or `data:` (not an error).

---

## Step 5: Reload VS Code

### Option A: Reload Window

1. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P`
2. Search for: `Developer: Reload Window`
3. Press Enter

### Option B: Close and Reopen

1. Close cloud VS Code completely
2. Re-open it in your browser

---

## Step 6: Test the MCP Connection

Once reloaded, open VS Code Chat:

1. Click the **Chat icon** in the left sidebar (or press `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I`)
2. Type this test message:

```
Query RAIA MCP: What is the Quantum system?
```

**Expected result**: You should receive a detailed response about your Quantum dealership system.

---

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: "MCP server not found" or connection fails

**Solution 1**: Verify the config file path
```bash
# Check where VS Code looks for config in cloud
echo $HOME
ls -la ~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json
```

**Solution 2**: Verify settings are enabled
```bash
# Check settings.json
cat ~/.config/Code/User/settings.json | grep chat.mcp
```

Should show:
```json
"chat.mcp.autostart": true,
"chat.mcp.enabled": true
```

### Issue: "Unauthorized" or 403 error

The auth token may be invalid or expired. Verify:
```bash
# Check the token in mcp.json
cat ~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json | grep Authorization
```

Should show:
```
"Authorization": "5980e9f1-47b2-49c1-b166-3c157afdaaa5"
```

If token is outdated, update it in `mcp.json`.

### Issue: Network timeout (curl command times out)

The cloud environment may have firewall restrictions. Try:
```bash
# Test basic connectivity
ping -c 1 api.raia2.com
curl -I https://api.raia2.com/mcp
```

If no response, contact your cloud provider's admin about outbound HTTPS access.

### Issue: "406 Not Acceptable" error

This means VS Code's MCP Client isn't sending the right headers. Verify you're running:
- VS Code version 1.90+
- Latest settings applied (reload window)

---

## Advanced: Manual MCP Client (if auto-connect fails)

If the built-in MCP Client isn't working, you can manually query using Python:

```bash
# Install dependencies
pip install requests

# Create a query script
cat > query_mcp.py << 'EOF'
import requests
import json

url = "https://api.raia2.com/mcp"
headers = {
    "Authorization": "5980e9f1-47b2-49c1-b166-3c157afdaaa5",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "Accept": "application/json, text/event-stream"
}
payload = {
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
        "name": "get-any-info-about-Code_Agent_-_Quantum",
        "arguments": {"prompt": "What is Quantum?"}
    },
    "id": 1
}

response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers, verify=False, stream=True)
for line in response.iter_lines():
    if line:
        print(line.decode('utf-8'))
EOF

# Run it
python3 query_mcp.py
```

---

## Summary

| Step | Action | Verification |
|------|--------|--------------|
| 1 | Create `~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json` | `cat ~/.config/Code/User/mcp.json` |
| 2 | Add RAIA MCP config | File contains `"raia-mcp"` entry |
| 3 | Enable in settings | `chat.mcp.autostart: true` |
| 4 | Reload VS Code | Window reloads successfully |
| 5 | Test with Chat | Query returns Quantum info |

Once working, you can ask any question and I'll automatically query the RAIA MCP for Quantum code insights!