VS Code Configuration

This guide shows you how to configure VS Code to work with your Task Genius tasks using Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Prerequisites

• VS Code 1.102 or later
• GitHub Copilot access
• Task Genius MCP server enabled in Obsidian
• Your authentication credentials from Task Genius settings

Quick Setup

The fastest way to add Task Genius to VS Code:

MCP: Add Server

Manual Configuration

Workspace Configuration

Create .vscode/mcp.json in your project:

{
  "servers": {
    "task-genius": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:7777/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN+YOUR_APP_ID"
      }
    }
  }
}

Global Configuration

For all workspaces, run:

MCP: Open User Configuration

Or create/edit ~/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "task-genius": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:7777/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN+YOUR_APP_ID"
      }
    }
  }
}

Using Task Genius in VS Code

Agent Mode

1. Open Chat view (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + I)
2. Select Agent mode from dropdown
3. Click Tools to see Task Genius tools
4. Start chatting about your tasks

Common Operations

"Show today's high-priority tasks"
"Create task: Review code changes, priority 4"
"Mark 'Review code changes' as complete"
"List overdue tasks"
"Show tasks for project ClientAPI"

Direct Tool Reference

Type # in chat to directly reference tools:

#task-genius.create_task Create a new feature task
#task-genius.query_tasks Show all incomplete tasks

Tool Sets

Group frequently used tools:

1. Create a tool set in settings
2. Name it (e.g., "daily-review")
3. Add Task Genius tools
4. Reference with #daily-review in chat

Advanced Configuration

Multiple Vaults

{
  "servers": {
    "personal-tasks": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:7777/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer TOKEN1+APPID1"
      }
    },
    "work-tasks": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:7778/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer TOKEN2+APPID2"
      }
    }
  }
}

Secure Credentials

Use input variables to avoid hardcoding tokens:

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "task-genius-auth",
      "description": "Task Genius Authentication (TOKEN+APPID)",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "task-genius": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:7777/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:task-genius-auth}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Dev Container Support

Add to .devcontainer/devcontainer.json:

{
  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "mcp": {
        "servers": {
          "task-genius": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "http://host.docker.internal:7777/mcp",
            "headers": {
              "Authorization": "Bearer ${localEnv:TASK_GENIUS_AUTH}"
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Settings & Features

Auto-start Servers

Enable automatic server start:

{
  "chat.mcp.autostart": true
}

Tool Confirmation

Control tool execution approval:

• Always ask: Default, confirms each tool use
• Auto-confirm specific tools: Use dropdown in confirmation dialog
• Trust all: Enable in settings (use with caution)

Manage Servers

Access server management:

1. Extensions View: MCP SERVERS - INSTALLED section
2. Command Palette: MCP: List Servers
3. Configuration File: Click inline actions in mcp.json

Available actions:

• Start/Stop server
• View logs
• Reset cached tools
• Test connection
• Uninstall

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

1. Verify Task Genius MCP is running:

   curl http://127.0.0.1:7777/health

2. Check VS Code MCP status:

   MCP: Show Installed Servers

3. View server logs:

   MCP: List Servers > task-genius > Show Output

Authentication Errors

Tools Not Available

1. Refresh tools cache:

   MCP: Reset Cached Tools

2. Restart server:

   MCP: List Servers > task-genius > Restart

3. Check tool limit:

   • Maximum 128 tools per request
   • Deselect unused tools in Tools picker

Best Practices

Performance

• Be specific in queries for faster responses
• Use tool sets for common operations
• Enable virtual tools for large tool collections:

  {
    "github.copilot.chat.virtualTools.threshold": 50
  }

Security

• Store credentials using input variables
• Use workspace settings for project-specific tasks
• Never commit mcp.json with credentials
• Regularly regenerate authentication tokens

Workflow Tips

1. Daily Review:

   • Create "daily-review" tool set
   • Include query_tasks, update_task_status tools
   • Quick access with #daily-review

2. Project Management:

   • Workspace-specific configuration per project
   • Use project tags in Task Genius
   • Filter by project in queries

3. Quick Capture:

   • Set up keyboard shortcut for Chat view
   • Use #task-genius.create_task for quick entry
   • Enable auto-start for instant access

Integration Examples

With Git Workflows

"Create task for PR #123 review"
"List tasks tagged with current-sprint"
"Mark deployment tasks as complete"

With Development Tasks

"Add task: Fix TypeScript errors in components folder"
"Show all tasks related to API refactoring"
"Create subtasks for implementing user authentication"

With Team Collaboration

"List tasks assigned to team-frontend project"
"Show high-priority bugs for this week"
"Create task in daily note: Discuss architecture changes"

Next Steps

• Explore Task Genius use cases for workflow ideas
• Check the API reference for all available operations
• Learn about MCP prompts and resources
• See troubleshooting guide for detailed solutions