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

# VS Code

> Connect VS Code through the SocQ stdio bridge and store the API key as an input.

# VS Code

VS Code stores MCP server definitions in `mcp.json`. Use a user-level configuration for all workspaces, or `.vscode/mcp.json` for one trusted workspace.

## Prerequisites

* Node.js 20 or later;
* a SocQ API key;
* a VS Code chat setup with MCP support.

## Configure

Run **MCP: Open User Configuration** from the Command Palette and add:

```json theme={"system"}
{
  "servers": {
    "socq": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@socq/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "SOCQ_API_KEY": "${input:socq-api-key}"
      }
    }
  },
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "socq-api-key",
      "description": "SocQ API key",
      "password": true
    }
  ]
}
```

VS Code prompts for the key when the server starts and stores the input for later use. Avoid hardcoding the key in a workspace file.

## Start and verify

Start or restart `socq` from **MCP: List Servers**, approve the server trust prompt, then ask:

```text theme={"system"}
Use SocQ to check my account and collect the latest 20 comments from this
YouTube video. Wait for the task and show the results:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
```

Use **MCP: List Servers → Show Output** when the process does not start or tools are missing.

See the official VS Code guides for [adding MCP servers](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/agent-customization/mcp-servers) and the [`mcp.json` configuration reference](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/agents/reference/mcp-configuration).