Two ways to use ManageLM in VS Code: a one-click MCP install for native Copilot Chat agent mode, or the ManageLM extension for the dedicated @managelm chat participant.
@managelm participant if you prefer that style.
Both paths work side by side. Pick what suits your workflow. Most users want the MCP install: it's faster, gets every ManageLM tool automatically, and uses VS Code's native MCP support.
| MCP Integration | VS Code Extension | |
|---|---|---|
| Install | One click via deeplink | Download .vsix + install |
| Where it shows up | Copilot Chat in Agent mode, tools picker | Copilot Chat as @managelm participant |
| Authentication | OAuth 2.0 with PKCE (browser flow) | API key in VS Code settings |
| Tool surface | Every ManageLM tool and one tool per skill (auto-updates) | 33 tools modelled on the MCP tools; tasks and scans on one server at a time |
| Updates | Server-side: nothing to reinstall | Re-install the .vsix when new versions ship |
| VS Code version | 1.99+ (April 2025) | 1.99+ |
| Copilot subscription | Required (Agent mode) | Required (Chat participant) |
Can I have both? Yes. They don't conflict. You can install MCP for general agent-mode use and keep the extension for the @managelm shortcut.
This is the modern, recommended path. ManageLM exposes a remote MCP server at https://app.managelm.com/mcp. VS Code 1.99+ has native MCP support built into Copilot Chat, no extension needed.
Click the button below. VS Code opens a confirmation dialog with the server pre-filled, click Install.
If the deeplink doesn't fire, open the Command Palette and run MCP: Open User Configuration, then paste:
{
"servers": {
"managelm": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://app.managelm.com/mcp"
}
}
}
Self-hosted users: Replace app.managelm.com with your own portal URL.
Open Copilot Chat (Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+I)
Switch the chat mode to Agent (dropdown at the top of the chat)
Type a request: "list my managelm servers", "check disk usage on web-prod-01", "run a security audit on production"
First tool call opens your browser for OAuth login: approve, and you're connected. Subsequent calls happen silently.
The tools picker (small icon at the bottom of the chat input) lets you toggle which ManageLM tools the agent may call. Leave them all on for the full surface.
The ManageLM extension adds a dedicated @managelm chat participant to Copilot Chat. It ships 33 tools modelled on the ManageLM MCP tools and uses an API key instead of OAuth. Tasks and scans run on one server at a time.
Search for ManageLM in the Extensions panel, or run:
code --install-extension managelm.managelm
Download the .vsix from GitHub Releases and install:
code --install-extension managelm-1.0.0.vsix
Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) and search for ManageLM
Set your API Key, created in your ManageLM portal under Settings > MCP & API > API Keys. The key acts as you, limited to the authorizations you tick: add Reports for scans, Hosting for VM actions, Credentials or Keystore to search those.
(Optional) If self-hosting, set the Portal URL to your own portal address
Open Copilot Chat (any mode) and type @managelm followed by your request:
@managelm show me all my servers @managelm check disk usage on web-prod-01 @managelm install nginx on web-staging-02 @managelm run a security audit on db-primary @managelm which servers are running Docker? @managelm which certificates expire this month?
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
search_agents | Servers by status, group, site, health or text |
get_agent_info | One server: OS, health, skills, recent tasks |
get_agent_skills / list_available_skills | Skills on a server, catalog skills not yet imported |
get_account_info / list_team_members | Account, groups and sites, team members |
search_inventory / search_security / search_activity | Inventory, security issues (audits, pentests, threats), logins and sudo |
search_ssh_keys / search_sudo_rules | Access across the fleet, mapped to your team |
search_certificates / search_pki | Certificates found on servers, certificates ManageLM issues |
search_monitors / search_backups | Monitors with current status, backups and their last run |
search_credentials / search_keystore | Rotating credentials, keystore keys and usage (metadata only) |
list_connectors / search_cloud / get_cloud_info | Hosting connectors and the resources they discover |
cloud_action | Start, stop, reboot or snapshot a VM (disruptive actions need your confirmation) |
run_security_audit / run_inventory_scan / run_access_scan / run_certificate_scan / run_activity_scan | Run a scan on one server and wait for the result |
run_task | Run a skill-based task on one server (auto lets the agent pick the skill) |
answer_task / follow_up_task | Answer a task waiting for input, continue a conversation |
get_task_status / get_task_history / get_task_changes / revert_task | Task results, history, file changes and revert |
Either integration lets you:
With MCP, tasks and scans can also target a group, a site or the whole fleet with "all", and every skill gets its own tool. The extension runs tasks through one tool with a skill parameter, on one server at a time.
base skill has no write commands; mutating skills must be explicitly assigned by an adminMake sure VS Code is installed and registered as the vscode:// protocol handler. Open VS Code first, then click the deeplink again. If it still fails, use the manual config above.
Switch the chat mode to Agent (the tools picker only shows in Agent mode). If still empty, type a request directly. The OAuth flow runs on first call and tools register after authentication.
Safari's Intelligent Tracking Prevention can block the loopback callback. Switch your default browser to Chrome or Firefox for the sign-in step, then switch back. Auth tokens persist after.
Open VS Code Settings (Ctrl+,), search for ManageLM, and enter your API key from the portal under Settings > MCP & API.
@managelm not appearing in chatThe extension requires GitHub Copilot Chat. Make sure github.copilot-chat is installed and active. Reload VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+P > Reload Window) after enabling.
Verify your portal URL is correct and reachable. Default is https://app.managelm.com. If self-hosting, make sure your portal is running and accessible from your machine.
Either no agents are enrolled, or your account doesn't have access. Check the portal dashboard to verify.
With the extension, a task still running after 2 minutes is reported with its task ID: ask @managelm to check its status a bit later. Long operations can also be broken into smaller steps.