---
title: "Connect VS Code to WordPress"
url: "https://plugpress.co/docs/connect-vs-code-to-wordpress.md"
canonical: "https://plugpress.co/docs/connect-vs-code-to-wordpress/"
published: "2026-07-28"
modified: "2026-08-01"
author: "Fahim"
description: "Connect VS Code and GitHub Copilot agent mode to WordPress with Saddle. Save one generated mcp.json file and manage your content from Copilot Chat."
tags:
  - "Saddle"
---

# Connect VS Code to WordPress

**GitHub Copilot’s agent mode can work on your WordPress site from Copilot Chat** — reading and writing posts, pages, and media. Setup is one `.vscode/mcp.json` file that Saddle generates for you.

## What do I need before connecting?

- A WordPress site on **HTTPS** with the [Saddle plugin](/docs/what-is-saddle/) installed and activated.
- VS Code with GitHub Copilot, and agent mode enabled.

## How do I connect VS Code to my WordPress site?

### Step 1: Open the connect wizard

In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Saddle → Connections**, click **Connect an app**, and choose **VS Code**.

![Saddle connect wizard in WordPress showing the Choose app step with Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI, VS Code and Any MCP app](https://plugpress.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/saddle-connect-wizard-choose-app.png)

### Step 2: Copy the generated config

![Saddle setup step for VS Code showing the .vscode/mcp.json configuration for Copilot agent mode](https://plugpress.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/saddle-connect-vs-code-setup.png)

Note that VS Code uses `servers`, not `mcpServers`, and needs an explicit type:

```
{
  "servers": {
    "saddle-your-site": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://your-site.com/wp-json/saddle/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Basic PASTE-YOUR-KEY-HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

**Copy it before closing the wizard.** The key appears this once, and backing out early revokes it. Lost it? Use **Rotate key** on the app’s row.

### Step 3: Save it and start the server

1. Save the config as `.vscode/mcp.json` in your project.
2. Open the Command Palette, run **MCP: List Servers**, and start the Saddle server.

This file contains a working key — add it to `.gitignore` rather than committing it.

## How do I know it worked?

Open Copilot Chat in agent mode and ask:

```
What can you see on my WordPress site?
```

Copilot should report your site name, WordPress version, and content counts, and the app appears in **Saddle → Connections**.

## What can Copilot do on my site?

Only what you allow on the [Permissions](/docs/permissions-access-levels/) screen — sites start read-only, and deletions always require a [preview-and-confirm approval](/docs/safe-deletions/).

## It didn’t connect — what now?

Check you used `servers` rather than `mcpServers` — copying a config meant for another app is the most common mistake here. Then run **MCP: List Servers** to confirm the server actually started, and use **Test the endpoint** under **Saddle → Connections → Connection details & health** to rule out the site side. More in [Troubleshooting and FAQ](/docs/troubleshooting/), including hosts that strip the `Authorization` header.

## FAQ

### Does this work in normal Copilot chat, or only agent mode?

Agent mode. MCP tools are only available to the agent.

### Can I use it across all my projects?

The `.vscode/mcp.json` file is per-project. VS Code also supports a user-level MCP configuration if you’d rather set it once.

## Related guides

- [Getting started: connect your first AI app](/docs/getting-started/)
- [Permissions and access levels](/docs/permissions-access-levels/)
- [Editing content and design with AI](/docs/editing-content-and-design/)
- [Troubleshooting and FAQ](/docs/troubleshooting/)