HumanAgent MCP
Forces GitHub Copilot to chat with you before acting. Stops runaway agents, reduces wasted API calls, lets you manage multiple workspaces from one interface.
Installation
- Install from VS Code Marketplace
- Copilot automatically gets the
HumanAgent_Chat tool
- Done - no configuration needed
How to Use
Basic Workflow
- Ask Copilot to do something - Copilot will use the HumanAgent_Chat tool
- Chat panel opens - Green dot = connected, shows Copilot's message
- You respond - Type your answer, click Send (or use Quick Replies)
- Copilot continues - Gets your response and proceeds with the task
VS Code Interface
Chat Panel (left sidebar):
- Green dot = connected to server
- Red dot = disconnected (auto-reconnects)
- Quick Replies = common responses like "Yes Please Proceed"
- Text input = always enabled, send button only active when Copilot is waiting
Cog Menu (⚙️):
- Show Status - check server state
- Name This Chat - set session name
- Open Web View - manage all workspaces in browser
- Configure MCP - start/stop/restart server
- Report Issue / Request Feature - GitHub links
Web Interface
Open from cog menu → Open Web View
Access all workspace chats in one browser tab at http://localhost:3737/HumanAgent
- See all conversations
- Switch between workspaces
- Append reminders to your responses
Connection Status
- Auto-reconnects with exponential backoff (1s → 2s → 4s → 8s → 16s → 30s max)
- Manually starting server resets reconnection immediately
- No timeout - will retry forever
Troubleshooting
Red dot / disconnected:
- Cog menu → Configure MCP → Start Server
- Check VS Code Output panel for errors
Server won't start:
- Check port 3737 not in use:
lsof -i :3737
- Restart VS Code
Copilot not using the tool:
- Tool registers automatically on startup
- Try: "Use HumanAgent_Chat to discuss this with me"
Development
Press F5 to debug - dev mode uses port 3738, production uses 3737. No conflicts.
Privacy & Telemetry
This extension collects anonymous usage data to help improve the product:
What we track:
- Extension activation/deactivation
- Feature usage (chat opened, messages sent/received)
- Error diagnostics (error types, not content)
- Session metrics (message counts, not content)
- Extension version, VS Code version, OS platform
- Days since installation
What we DON'T track:
- ❌ Your message content
- ❌ Your name, email, or any personal data
- ❌ Workspace paths or file names
- ❌ Any identifiable information
Your privacy:
- Respects VS Code's telemetry setting
- To disable: Settings → Telemetry → Level → Off
- Fully GDPR compliant
- Uses Google Analytics 4 for anonymous metrics
Why telemetry?
- Helps us understand which features are used
- Identifies bugs and errors to fix
- Measures engagement and retention
- Guides future development priorities
For questions: GitHub Issues
More Info
See README-Additional.md for technical details
Demo
Complete demonstration of the HumanAgent MCP extension in action - showing real-time human-AI collaboration
Medium Article
https://medium.com/@harperbenwilliam/stop-the-ai-chaos-why-human-in-the-loop-beats-fully-autonomous-coding-agents-eeb0ae17fde9
