Connecting to the DevOps Velocity MCP server using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code

You can connect to the HCL DevOps Velocity (Velocity) MCP server by using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio (VS) Code to interact with Velocity and retrieve the necessary data and insights..

Before you begin

You must have completed the following tasks:

Installed Velocity and enabled the MCP server. See MCP server setup in DevOps Velocity.
Obtained the MCP Server URL. For example: https://<velocity_hostname>/mcp
Ensured that you have installed VS Code and the GitHub Copilot extension.

Procedure

Optional: Open the terminal and enter the following command to allow the self-signed certificates if you are using a self-signed certificate during the Velocity installation.
```
export NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED=0
```
Enter the following command to open VS Code.
```
code .
```
Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P).
Search and select Copilot: Add Server.
Choose HTTP as the server type, when prompted for the transport type.
The Velocity MCP Server uses HTTP-based transport.
Enter the MCP Server URL, in the URL field.
VS Code automatically generates the required mcp.json configuration.
Enter a name for the server. For example: Velocity MCP Server.
Select Workspace, when VS Code prompts you to choose where to save this configuration.
- - Global – used for all VS Code workspaces
  - Workspace – used only in the current folder/project
    
    Note: Selecting Workspace automatically creates a .vscode folder and generates a mcp.json file inside it.
Important: You’ll be prompted to authenticate via OAuth, but cancel the prompt by pressing Esc on your keyboard or clicking Cancel, as authentication is handled using the User Access Key defined in the mcp.json file.

Update the configuration details in the mcp.json file to pass the User Access key in the header as follows:

{
	"servers": {
		"velocity-mcp-server": {
			"url": "<velocity_mcp_server_url>",
			"type": "http",
			"headers": {
				"Authorization": "UserAccessKey <velocity_user_access_key>"
			}
		}
	},
	"inputs": []
}


Property	Description
<velocity_mcp_server_url>	Specifies the full Velocity MCP server URL. For example: `https://<velocity_hostname>/mcp`
<velocity_user_access_key>	Provides the credentials necessary to access the Velocity MCP server. Create an User Access Key in Velocity and use it.

Click Restart.
You must be able to see the connection successful logs and the discovered tools.
Verify the connection.
The Velocity MCP Server must display Running as the status.

Results

You have successfully connected to the Velocity MCP server by using GitHub Copilot in VS Code.

What to do next

You can run prompts related to Velocity to confirm a successful connection.