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VS Code Setup

Configure ACE MCP with VS Code using GitHub Copilot or Continue extension - Complete step-by-step guide.

Prerequisites
1

Node.js 18+ installed

Check with: node --version

2

VS Code installed

Download VS Code →

3

GitHub Copilot or Continue extension installed

Choose one AI assistant to use with ACE

4

ACE CLI installed and logged in

5

ACE server running

Choose Your Setup Method

VS Code supports MCP through different AI extensions. Choose the method that matches your setup:

Option 1: Continue Extension

Free, open-source AI assistant with full MCP support. Works with any AI model.

Option 2: GitHub Copilot Chat

Microsoft's AI assistant. Requires Copilot subscription. MCP support via settings.

1
Option 1: Continue Extension Setup

1
Install Continue Extension

Install the Continue extension from the VS Code marketplace:

Or search for "Continue" in VS Code Extensions (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + X)

2
Configure MCP

Edit your Continue config file to add ACE:

Config file location:

Add the mcpServers section to your config:

Merge with Existing Config

If you have an existing config.json, add the mcpServers section alongside your existing settings.

3
Reload VS Code

Reload VS Code for changes to take effect:

Quick Reload

Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P → "Developer: Reload Window"

2
Option 2: GitHub Copilot Chat Setup

Copilot Subscription Required

GitHub Copilot Chat requires an active Copilot subscription (Individual, Business, or Enterprise).

1
Open VS Code Settings

Open VS Code settings to configure Copilot MCP:

Press Cmd/Ctrl + , to open Settings

Or: File → Preferences → Settings

2
Add MCP Configuration

Add the MCP configuration to your VS Code settings.json:

1. Click the "Open Settings (JSON)" icon in the top right

2. Add the following configuration:

Important: Customize Your Namespace

Replace my-project with your project namespace.

3
Reload VS Code

Reload VS Code for changes to take effect:

Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P → "Developer: Reload Window"

Test the Connection

Open the AI chat panel in VS Code and try these prompts:

Store a memory:

"Remember that we're using ESLint with strict rules"

Query patterns:

"What patterns are documented for this project?"

Track an issue:

"Track a bug: tests failing on CI"

Success!

If the AI responds by using ACE tools, your setup is complete!

Troubleshooting

"ace: command not found"

The ACE CLI is not in your PATH. Try these fixes:

  1. Reinstall ACE globally: npm install -g @ace3-memory/ace
  2. Check npm global bin: npm bin -g
  3. Add to PATH in your shell config file
Continue extension not detecting ACE
  1. Verify config.json syntax is valid JSON
  2. Check that ACE server is running: ace status
  3. Restart VS Code completely
  4. Check Continue logs in Output panel
Copilot not using ACE tools
  1. Ensure you have GitHub Copilot Chat extension installed
  2. Verify settings.json syntax is valid
  3. Check that the setting key is exactly github.copilot.chat.mcpServers
  4. Reload VS Code after changing settings

Pro Tips

Workspace-Specific Config

You can set different namespaces per workspace by using VS Code's workspace settings instead of user settings.

View Dashboard

Visit ace3-ai.com/dashboard to visualize your memories and decisions.

Available ACE Tools

Once configured, VS Code AI assistants can use these 20+ ACE tools:

ace_rememberace_recallace_get_contextace_searchace_track_issueace_resolve_issueace_find_solutionsace_track_decisionace_best_practicesace_get_statsace_log_workace_architectureace_patternsace_manage_tagsace_graph_connectace_graph_traverseace_create_planace_generate_planace_observe

Next Steps