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The Awesome GitHub Copilot MCP Server provides functionality for searching and installing instructions, agents, and skills directly from this repository into your editor. The server runs in Docker and integrates with VS Code, VS Code Insiders, and Visual Studio.

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Prerequisites

You must have Docker installed and running to use the MCP server.
  • Docker Desktop or Docker Engine installed and running
  • One of the following editors:
    • Visual Studio Code
    • Visual Studio Code Insiders
    • Visual Studio

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Quick Install

Click the install button for your editor to automatically configure the MCP server:

VS Code

Install in Visual Studio Code

VS Code Insiders

Install in VS Code Insiders

Visual Studio

Install in Visual Studio

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Manual Configuration

If you prefer to configure the MCP server manually, add the following configuration to your editor’s MCP settings:
1

Create MCP configuration file

Create or edit the MCP configuration file for your editor:
  • VS Code/VS Code Insiders: .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace
  • Visual Studio: Configure through the MCP settings panel
2

Add server configuration

Add the Awesome Copilot server configuration:
{
  "servers": {
    "awesome-copilot": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "ghcr.io/microsoft/mcp-dotnet-samples/awesome-copilot:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}
3

Verify Docker is running

Ensure Docker is running before starting your editor:
docker ps
If Docker is not running, start Docker Desktop or your Docker service.
4

Restart your editor

Restart your editor to load the MCP server configuration. The server will start automatically when GitHub Copilot needs it.

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Using the MCP Server

Once installed, the MCP server provides tools for discovering and installing customizations:

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Search for Resources

Use GitHub Copilot Chat to search for agents, instructions, or skills: 
@github find an agent for Python development

@github search for React instructions

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Install Resources

The MCP server can help you install resources directly: 
@github install the Python expert agent

@github add TypeScript coding standards

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Troubleshooting

Check Docker status:
docker ps
Ensure Docker is running and you can execute Docker commands.Verify image availability:
docker pull ghcr.io/microsoft/mcp-dotnet-samples/awesome-copilot:latest
If the pull fails, check your internet connection and Docker Hub authentication.
The MCP server runs as a Docker container that starts on demand. If it’s not responding:
  1. Check Docker container logs: 
    docker logs $(docker ps -q --filter ancestor=ghcr.io/microsoft/mcp-dotnet-samples/awesome-copilot:latest)
  2. Restart your editor to reinitialize the MCP server
  3. Verify the MCP configuration syntax is valid JSON
If the MCP tools don’t appear in GitHub Copilot:
  1. Verify the MCP server is configured in .vscode/mcp.json
  2. Check that the configuration follows the exact JSON format shown above
  3. Restart VS Code completely (not just reload window)
  4. Open the Output panel and select “GitHub Copilot” to check for MCP-related errors

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What’s Next?

Manual Installation

Learn how to manually install agents, instructions, and skills

Using Agents

Start using custom agents in your workflow

Browse Catalog

Explore available agents, instructions, and skills

Understanding MCP

Learn more about the Model Context Protocol

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Additional Resources

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