Packaging: npm run package in this folder stages the monorepo root README (with GitHub URLs for screenshots) into this README.md for the .vsix, then restores this extension reference. Use npm run package:extension-readme-only only if you must package the file below as-is.
License: MIT · Marketplace ID: amitchorasiya.github-copilot-toolbox · npm package name: github-copilot-toolbox
Install: code --install-extension amitchorasiya.github-copilot-toolbox (when published) or install from a built .vsix.
Monorepo home: Github-Copilot-ToolBox — this folder is packages/github-copilot-toolbox/.
Table of contents
Overview
GitHub Copilot Toolbox adds an activity bar container Copilot Toolbox with:
- MCP & skills — Webview hub: Intelligence (default tab), MCP, Skills, Workspace. Lists workspace + user MCP servers, local
SKILL.md skill folders, registry/skills.sh browse, and toolbox commands.
- Workspace kit — Tree checklist for
.cursor/rules, .cursorrules, memory-bank/, .github/copilot-instructions.md, .vscode/mcp.json, plus wizard and open/reveal actions.
- Guide & tools — Tree of common commands (Intelligence, reference doc, notepad, billing links, etc.).
Command / setting prefix: GitHubCopilotToolBox.* (since extension v0.4.0). Older builds used cursorCopilotKit — see migration.
VS Code resolves README images relative to this package folder. Screenshots live at the monorepo screenshots/ root, so embeds below use absolute raw.githubusercontent.com URLs (same as the published .vsix / Marketplace README).
Screenshots
Intelligence (hub): Cursor → VS Code bridges, context pack, readiness, MCP & Skills scan.
MCP: workspace and user servers, registry browse.
Skills: catalog (skills.sh) and local installed SKILL.md trees.
Workspace kit and Guide: checklist and command tree.
Reference diagram (Mermaid export; not a live UI capture).
Requirements
| Requirement |
Notes |
| VS Code |
1.99+ (MCP + modern Copilot Chat) |
| GitHub Copilot |
Signed in; some flows need Agent + MCP tools UI |
| Node.js |
18+ for npx bridges (port MCP, memory bank, rules sync) |
| Git |
On PATH for Intelligence “include git” (Windows: git.exe) |
Features
MCP servers
- Reads workspace
.vscode/mcp.json and user mcp.json (stable vs Insiders via setting).
- Chips / commands: List servers, Browse registry, Add server, Port Cursor → VS Code (
npx), @mcp browse.
Skills tab (local)
Scans these parents for subfolders that contain SKILL.md:
- Project:
.github/skills, .claude/skills, .agents/skills, .cursor/skills
- User:
~/.copilot/skills, ~/.claude/skills, ~/.agents/skills, ~/.cursor/skills
Important: Listing is for open / reveal in editor. GitHub Copilot does not automatically load these as runtime “skills.” Use chat attachments, instructions files, or MCP for live tools.
Intelligence
| Capability |
Description |
| Cursor → VS Code & Copilot |
Cards: MCP port, memory bank init, Cursor rules → Copilot (npx), plus GitHub links to source repos |
| Scan MCP & Skills awareness |
Markdown report: configured servers + local skill paths + how Agent/MCP vs skills differ |
| Auto-scan on folder open |
Optional setting: open awareness report (silent toast) + refresh hub when a workspace folder is added |
| Context pack |
Privacy-aware quick picks → markdown for Chat (#file: hints, optional git/diagnostics) |
| Readiness |
Markdown checklist: instructions, rules, MCP, mtimes, suggested commands |
| Migrate skills |
Copy/move .cursor/skills → .agents/skills (workspace and/or user) |
Workspace kit & Guide
- Missing items can run npx scaffolds or templates; present items open or reveal.
- Session notepad, inline chat proxy (Ctrl+Alt+K / Cmd+Alt+K), translate @-mentions, append
.cursorrules, reference webview, env checklist, etc.
Full action table (Guide tree) is in the Features section above; see Command Palette for every registered title.
Hub layout (MCP & skills)
- Intelligence tab first by default: bridges, then context pack / readiness / scan row; optional auto-open MCP & Skills checkbox + Scan now.
- MCP / Skills use Browse vs Installed sub-tabs and the search box (hidden on Intelligence).
- Footer summarizes skill roots and reminds that Copilot does not auto-ingest
SKILL.md from those paths.
Command palette
All commands are prefixed with GitHub Copilot Toolbox: in the palette. Examples:
Intelligence — scan MCP & Skills awareness (report)Intelligence — build context pack for Chat (copy)Port Cursor MCP → VS Code (npx)Open workspace mcp.json / Open user mcp.json
Search GitHub Copilot Toolbox or GitHubCopilotToolBox in Keyboard Shortcuts to rebind.
Settings
| Setting |
Purpose |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.npxTag |
Dist-tag or version for npx (default latest) |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.useInsidersPaths |
Resolve user mcp.json under VS Code Insiders |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.intelligence.includeGitByDefault / includeDiagnosticsByDefault |
Pre-select context pack options |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.intelligence.appendNotepadAfterPack / openChatAfterPack |
Pre-select follow-ups after pack |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.intelligence.autoScanMcpSkillsOnWorkspaceOpen |
After workspace opens (debounced): auto-open awareness, refresh hub, merge MCP/skills into .github/copilot-instructions.md; same merge when you run the scan with this enabled |
GitHubCopilotToolBox.translateWrapMultilineInFence |
Wrap multiline translation in a code fence |
Open filtered settings: Command Intelligence — open related settings → GitHubCopilotToolBox.intelligence.
Keybinding
- Ctrl+Alt+K (Windows/Linux) / Cmd+Alt+K (macOS) → Open inline chat (Cursor-style)
Do not steal VS Code’s Ctrl+K chord globally.
Companion npm packages
Develop & test
cd packages/github-copilot-toolbox # from monorepo root
npm install
npm run compile
npm test
- CI:
.github/workflows/extension-ci.yml — Ubuntu, Windows, macOS on changes under this package.
- Manual: F5 → Run Extension: GitHub Copilot Toolbox (
extensionDevelopmentPath = this folder).
Intelligence caveat: Pasted #file: lines may not attach like Add context; see docs/intelligence-verification.md.
Troubleshooting
| Issue |
What to try |
| MCP commands missing |
Update VS Code + Copilot; MCP UI differs by version. |
| Port / npx fails |
Install Node 18+, check network; set GitHubCopilotToolBox.npxTag if you need a pinned CLI version. |
| No skills listed |
Ensure a subfolder under a scanned root contains SKILL.md (not only loose files at the root). |
| Copilot “ignores” skills |
Expected — use awareness report + attach files or maintain .github/copilot-instructions.md. |
| Insiders vs stable user MCP |
Toggle GitHubCopilotToolBox.useInsidersPaths and reopen hub. |
| Auto-scan every startup |
Disable autoScanMcpSkillsOnWorkspaceOpen in settings or uncheck the Intelligence hub checkbox. |
Migrating from cursorCopilotKit
If you used an older build:
- In settings.json, rename keys
cursorCopilotKit.* → GitHubCopilotToolBox.*.
- In keybindings.json, update
command strings the same way.
- Reload the window.
Publishing
From this directory only:
npm run compile
npm run package # vsce package → .vsix
The LICENSE file is shipped in the VSIX. See the monorepo README for full publish notes.
License
MIT — Copyright (c) 2026 amitchorasiya.
