christmas-mcp-copilot-runner/VSCODE_MCP_SETUP.md

A Model Copilot Provider (MCP) for safely executing whitelisted system commands across platforms with automatic VS Code setup

# VS Code MCP Server Setup Guide

## Automatic Setup (Recommended)

After installing the package globally:
```bash
npm install -g christmas-mcp-copilot-runner
```

The setup script will automatically configure VS Code with the correct settings.

## Manual VS Code UI Setup

If you prefer to add the server through VS Code's "Add Server..." UI, use these exact settings:

### Correct Configuration:
```json
{
  "name": "christmas-mcp-copilot-runner",
  "command": "node",
  "args": [
    "/path/to/global/npm/modules/christmas-mcp-copilot-runner/src/index.js",
    "--mcp"
  ],
  "cwd": "/your/project/directory",
  "env": {},
  "disabled": false,
  "alwaysAllow": true
}
```

### ❌ Avoid This (VS Code Default):
```json
{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": [
    "christmas-mcp-copilot-runner@1.3.0"
  ]
}
```

## Finding Your Global npm Path

### Windows:
```
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\christmas-mcp-copilot-runner\src\index.js
```

### macOS:
```
/usr/local/lib/node_modules/christmas-mcp-copilot-runner/src/index.js
```

### Linux:
```
/usr/local/lib/node_modules/christmas-mcp-copilot-runner/src/index.js
```

## Automatic Detection:
```bash
# Run this command to find your npm global root:
npm root -g

# Then append: /christmas-mcp-copilot-runner/src/index.js
```

## Why Not npx?

While `npx christmas-mcp-copilot-runner@1.3.0` works, using `node` with the direct path:
- ✅ Faster startup (no package resolution)
- ✅ More reliable (no version conflicts)
- ✅ Better performance (direct execution)
- ✅ Proper working directory support with `cwd`

## Verification

After setup, test with:
```
Ask GitHub Copilot: "Use christmas-mcp-copilot-runner to run echo 'Hello MCP!'"
```

The command should execute without approval prompts.