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

# VS Code

> Connect VS Code to up-to-date and token-efficient documentation.

[VSCode MCP docs](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers)

You can find your API key at [ref.tools/keys](https://ref.tools/keys)

## Install Steps

1. Open the VSCode command palette `Shift + Command + P (Mac)` or  `Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux)`
2. Type `mcp` and select the `MCP: Add server...` action.
3. Select the `HTTP` option.
4. Enter Server URL `https://api.ref.tools/mcp?apiKey=<your-api-key>`
5. Enter Server ID `Ref`

At this point the server should be installed.

## Verify

1. Open the Chat UI.
2. In the chat input box, you should see a tools icon next to the send message icon. Click it.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ref/JCiPXQpBBR5CnJ1u/context/install/images/vscode-box.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JCiPXQpBBR5CnJ1u&q=85&s=92489416f746e092591e79e709391cc5" width="1240" height="246" data-path="context/install/images/vscode-box.png" />

3. This should open the `Configure Tools` menu. At the bottom of the list, you should see `MCP Server: Ref` with two tools enabled.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ref/JCiPXQpBBR5CnJ1u/context/install/images/vscode-success.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JCiPXQpBBR5CnJ1u&q=85&s=71b07ef7394c480c9aac64acde9ae07c" width="1232" height="1232" data-path="context/install/images/vscode-success.png" />

## Get help

If you have any issues, please reach out to `help@ref.tools`. We're happy to help you get started!