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

# VS Code

If you are a coding agent, prefer the Braintrust [`bt` CLI](/docs/reference/cli/quickstart) for repeatable, scriptable work: running evals, instrumenting code, querying logs, syncing data, managing functions, and configuring coding agents. Use the MCP server for reasoning over Braintrust data in conversation, and for capabilities the CLI doesn't cover, such as monitor views, alerts, and authoring evaluators, preprocessors, and facets.

[Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com) is Microsoft's popular open-source code editor. The Braintrust MCP server integrates with VS Code, giving AI assistants access to your Braintrust projects, experiments, and logs.

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install VS Code">
    If you haven't already, download and install [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install an AI assistant extension">
    VS Code requires an AI assistant extension that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Popular options include:

    * [GitHub Copilot](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot)
    * [Continue](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Continue.continue)
    * Other MCP-compatible extensions

    Install one of these extensions from the VS Code marketplace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Braintrust MCP server">
    Add the Braintrust MCP server to your VS Code settings, either in workspace settings or user settings:

    * **Workspace settings** - Create or edit `.vscode/mcp.json` in your project:

      ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark-dimmed"}}
      {
          "servers": {
              "braintrust": {
                  "type": "http",
                  "url": "https://api.braintrust.dev/mcp",
                  "headers": {
                      "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_BRAINTRUST_API_KEY"
                  }
              }
          }
      }
      ```

    * **User settings** - Add to your VS Code user settings (`Cmd+,` / `Ctrl+,` → Search for "mcp"):

      ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark-dimmed"}}
      {
          "mcp.servers": {
              "braintrust": {
                  "type": "http",
                  "url": "https://api.braintrust.dev/mcp",
                  "headers": {
                      "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_BRAINTRUST_API_KEY"
                  }
              }
          }
      }
      ```

    Replace `YOUR_BRAINTRUST_API_KEY` with your actual API key.

    VSCode also supports OAuth authentication. If you omit the `headers` field, VSCode will prompt you to authenticate via OAuth when you first use the server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart VS Code">
    Reload the VS Code window (`Cmd+R` / `Ctrl+R`) or restart VS Code to apply the configuration.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Usage

Once configured, your AI assistant can access Braintrust data through the MCP server. You can fetch experiment results, query logs, log data, and more. See [MCP documentation](/docs/integrations/developer-tools/mcp#what-the-mcp-can-do) for details.

Example prompts:

* "Show me my recent experiments"
* "Query the last 10 logged requests with errors"
* "What's the average latency for the summarizer prompt today?"

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion title="MCP server not appearing">
  * Verify the JSON configuration syntax is correct
  * Check that you're using an AI assistant extension that supports MCP
  * Try restarting VS Code completely (not just reloading the window)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Authentication fails">
  * Verify your API key is correct (no extra spaces or quotes)
  * For OAuth: Clear browser cache and try incognito mode
  * Ensure you can log into [Braintrust](https://www.braintrust.dev) in your browser
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Connection timeouts">
  * Check your internet connection
  * Corporate networks may need to allowlist `api.braintrust.dev` and `*.braintrust.dev`
  * Verify the URL is exactly `https://api.braintrust.dev/mcp` (no trailing slash)
</Accordion>

## Next steps

* **Run evaluations**: Check out the [evaluation guide](/docs/evaluate/run-evaluations) to learn evaluation patterns.
* **Explore MCP tools**: See the [MCP documentation](/docs/integrations/developer-tools/mcp#tools) for all available commands.
* **Query with SQL**: Learn how to [query with SQL](/docs/reference/sql) for complex data analysis.