VS Code · Setup guide

AwardClaw in VS Code and GitHub Copilot

VS Code connects MCP servers to GitHub Copilot's agent mode. Add AwardClaw to mcp.json and Copilot can look up live award space, with VS Code prompting for your key so it never lands in the file.

Get my key Jump to setup

Included with AwardClaw Pro+. About two minutes to set up.

Set it up

1In AwardClaw (Pro+), open Agents, tap Connect an agent, pick this app and choose what it may do. Copy the key it shows.
2Open the Command Palette and run MCP: Open User Configuration (or create .vscode/mcp.json in a project).
3Add the block below. VS Code will ask for your AwardClaw key the first time and store it securely.
4Open Copilot Chat, switch to Agent mode and check the tools list for awardclaw.

mcp.json

{
  "inputs": [
    {
      "type": "promptString",
      "id": "awardclaw-key",
      "description": "AwardClaw API key",
      "password": true
    }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "awardclaw": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://www.awardclaw.com/api/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:awardclaw-key}"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code uses "servers", not "mcpServers", as the top-level key.

Try asking VS Code

“Use awardclaw to fetch business class drops from IAD and add them to README.md as a table.”

“Find saver space Atlanta to Johannesburg in July for two.”

“Show my API usage today with get_account.”

“I need two seats Miami to Buenos Aires between March 1 and 6 in business. What is open?”

What VS Code can do

search_drops

Live saver drops in business and first, ranked by quality, with open dates, miles, taxes and booking links. Defaults to your tracked cities.

search_award_space

Every open saver date on a route inside a date window, cheapest program first. The tool for "I have dates."

get_drop

Full detail for one drop, both directions.

create_trip_watch

Email alert when saver space opens on your dates.

list_trip_watches / delete_trip_watch

Manage the watches you or your agent created.

get_daily_briefing

Today's briefing: deals that expire soon, live transfer bonuses, and the top news and data points, each with why it matters.

search_points_news

Search the last 30 days of points and miles news, deals and data points on any program, card or airline.

get_card_offers

The best credit card welcome offers right now: this month's new and elevated bonuses, plus cards ranked by bonus value.

get_account

Your plan, cities and API usage today.

Read-only on award data. VS Code never sees airline logins or points balances, and every date links to the program's own site to book.

One key per tool. Revoke any key in AwardClaw and that connection stops at once.

VS Code questions

Where does my key go?+

In an Authorization: Bearer header, so it never appears in a URL or a log line. You can create a separate key for each tool and revoke any of them on its own.

Do I need GitHub Copilot?+

MCP tools in VS Code are used by Copilot Chat in agent mode, so you need Copilot (the free tier includes agent mode).

Will my key end up in git?+

Not with the inputs block above: VS Code prompts for the key and stores it in its secret storage, not in mcp.json.