Manage your Linux servers directly from VS Code Copilot Chat using natural language. Ask @managelm to check system status, manage packages, configure services, run security audits, and more — across one server or an entire fleet.
The ManageLM VS Code extension adds a @managelm chat participant to GitHub Copilot Chat. Once configured, you can manage your entire Linux infrastructure using natural language — no terminal, no SSH, no context switching.
You describe what you need in plain English. Copilot selects the right tool, sends the instruction to the agent running on your server via the ManageLM portal, and returns the result — all within the chat panel.
Describe tasks in plain English. The extension picks the right tool and parameters automatically.
List servers, run tasks, check status, view security findings, scan inventory, approve agents, and more.
Target a single server, a group, or broadcast to all agents. Results are presented clearly per server.
Run security audits on any server and review findings with severity levels, explanations, and remediation.
Discover installed packages, running services, and containers across your servers.
Works inside Copilot Chat — no separate UI, no extra windows. Just type @managelm.
The extension communicates with the ManageLM portal via REST API. The portal dispatches tasks to agents over WebSocket. Agents execute tasks using a local LLM and report results back. No SSH, no inbound ports on your servers.
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
The extension uses an API key for authentication. Configure it in VS Code settings:
Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) and search for ManageLM
Set your API Key — find it in your ManageLM portal under Settings > MCP & API
(Optional) If self-hosting, set the Portal URL to your own portal address
Open Copilot Chat and type @managelm followed by your request
Self-hosted users: Set the Portal URL to your own portal address (e.g. https://managelm.yourcompany.com). The default is https://app.managelm.com.
The extension provides 13 tools that the @managelm participant uses to interact with your infrastructure:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
listAgents | List all servers with status, health metrics, OS info, and IP addresses |
agentInfo | Get detailed information about a specific server |
runTask | Execute a skill-based task on a server (requires target, skill, instruction) |
getTaskStatus | Check status and result of a task by its ID |
getTaskHistory | View recent tasks for a server |
approveAgent | Approve a pending agent enrollment |
listSkills | List all skills available in your account |
agentSkills | List skills assigned to a specific server |
getSecurity | View security audit findings for a server |
getInventory | View system inventory (packages, services, containers) |
runSecurityAudit | Start a security audit on a server |
runInventoryScan | Start an inventory scan on a server |
accountInfo | Get account plan, members, and usage details |
When using runTask, you specify a skill that determines what the agent can do. The extension automatically selects the right skill based on your request.
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
base | Read files, system info, resource monitoring, network diagnostics |
system | OS config, performance tuning, hostname, timezone, kernel parameters |
packages | Install, remove, update packages across apt/dnf/yum/pacman |
services | Systemd units, cron jobs, logs, process management |
users | User accounts, groups, SSH keys, sudo, password policies |
network | Interfaces, routes, DNS, ports, connectivity testing |
security | Audits, fail2ban, SSH hardening, SELinux/AppArmor, SSL/TLS |
files | Read, write, and manage files on remote servers |
firewall | iptables, nftables, firewalld, ufw |
docker | Containers, images, compose, volumes, networks |
apache | Virtual hosts, modules, SSL, configuration |
nginx | Server blocks, reverse proxy, SSL, load balancing |
mysql | Databases, users, queries, backups, replication |
postgresql | Databases, roles, queries, backups, extensions |
backup | Create, schedule, restore, verify backups |
certificates | Let's Encrypt, self-signed, inspection, renewal |
git | Clone, pull, status, log on remote servers |
Tip: You don't need to know skill names. Just describe what you want — "install nginx on web-01" — and the extension will select the right skill automatically.
Open Copilot Chat and type @managelm followed by your request:
# Server overview @managelm show me all my servers @managelm which servers have CPU above 80%? # System administration @managelm check disk usage on web-prod-01 @managelm list running services on lb-01 @managelm show the last 50 lines of /var/log/syslog on monitoring-1 # Package management @managelm install nginx on all servers in the staging group @managelm update all packages on db-primary # User management @managelm list all users on pocmail @managelm add SSH key for user deploy on web-prod-01 # Security @managelm run a security audit on db-primary @managelm show security findings for web-prod-01 # Infrastructure discovery @managelm run an inventory scan on lb-01 @managelm which servers are running Docker? # Agent management @managelm approve the new server that just enrolled @managelm what skills does web-prod-01 have?
base skill has no write commands. Mutating skills must be explicitly assigned by an admin.Open VS Code Settings (Ctrl+,), search for ManageLM, and enter your API key. You can find it in the portal under Settings > MCP & API.
Verify the portal URL in VS Code settings is correct and reachable. The default is https://app.managelm.com. If self-hosting, make sure your portal is running and accessible.
Either no agents are enrolled, or your API key doesn't have access. Check the portal dashboard to verify agents are enrolled and online.
Tasks have a 120-second timeout by default. For long-running operations, break them into smaller steps or check task status with a follow-up message.
The extension requires GitHub Copilot Chat. Make sure the github.copilot-chat extension is installed and active. Try reloading VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+P > Reload Window).
Tasks can only run on online agents. Check agent status with @managelm show me all my servers. If an agent is offline, verify the agent process is running on the server.