> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.timbal.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VS Code

> Learn how to connect Timbal to VS Code via MCP and use its functionality inside the editor.

> ## Step 1: Open the VS Code App

1. Launch the **VS Code** app on your system.
2. Log in with your account if required.

> ## Step 2: Access MCP settings

1. Go to **Manage** button (<Icon icon="gear" size="14" />) at the bottom-left corner of the VS Code window.
2. Select **Profiles**.
3. In the Profiles window, go to Contents → **MCP Servers**.
4. Open the `mcp.json` configuration file.

> ## Step 3: Add Timbal as a new MCP server

1. Add the Timbal MCP URL (`https://api.timbal.ai/mcp`). For example, you can set the server name `"timbal-mcp"`:
   ```json title="mcp.json" theme={"dark"}
   {
       "servers": {
           // After saving, the Start button and configuration will appear here
           "timbal-mcp": {
               "url": "https://api.timbal.ai/mcp",
               "type": "http",
               // Use this to authenticate with a Timbal API Key instead of OAuth
               // "headers": {
               //   "Authorization": "Bearer <TIMBAL_API_KEY>"
               // }
           }
       }
   }
   ```
2. Save the file.
3. The **Start** button appears above the server entry (in this example, "timbal-mcp"). **Click** it to start the server.

### Option 1: Connect via OAuth

4. A browser window will open for authentication.
   <Note>
     If the browser does not open automatically, you can start the connection manually from the MCP Servers panel.
   </Note>

5. Log in using your preferred OAuth method (GitHub, Google, Microsoft, or Timbal OAuth).

6. Accept the requested permissions.

7. Return to VS Code. In the `mcp.json` file, the status should change from **Start** to **Running**.

   <Warning> Make sure you log in with your active Timbal account (the one registered on the Timbal platform). Using a different account may prevent access to Timbal tools. </Warning>

### Option 2: Connect using a Timbal API Key

4. If you add the `"Authorization"` header with your `"TIMBAL_API_KEY"` in `mcp.json`, VS Code will authenticate automatically.
5. No browser login is required.
6. In the `mcp.json` file, the status should display **Running** instead of **Start**.

> ## Step 4: Verify the MCP server is running

1. Open the left sidebar.
2. Go to **Extensions**.
3. At the bottom, under **MCP Servers – Installed**, you should see **Timbal MCP** listed.
4. Click the **Manage** button (<Icon icon="gear" size="14" />) to view and verify the configuration details.

> ## Step 5: Test the integration

1. Open a new chat.
2. You can now use **Timbal tools** in your conversation. VS Code will automatically leverage the MCP integration.