---
title: "VS Code + Ample: deploy apps from GitHub Copilot agent mode"
description: "Set up VS Code agent mode with GitHub Copilot to deploy apps to Ample: CLI, account, MCP server and skills."
canonical_url: "https://ample.computer/agents/vs-code"
last_updated: "2026-10-14"
author: "Ample Computer"
---

# VS Code + Ample: deploy apps from GitHub Copilot agent mode

Set up VS Code agent mode with GitHub Copilot to deploy apps to Ample: CLI, account, MCP server and skills.

## The short version

To let VS Code deploy to Ample, install the Ample CLI, run `ample auth signup` (no browser or card) and connect VS Code to the `ample mcp` server. Then ask it to deploy: Ample builds the app, returns a live HTTPS URL, and explains any failure so VS Code can fix it.

## Set up VS Code for Ample

1. **Install the Ample CLI and create an account.** `ample auth signup` creates an account with no browser, card or CAPTCHA. Claim it by email within 48 hours to keep it (`ample auth claim --email you@example.com`).

   ```sh
   curl -fsSL https://get.ample.computer/install.sh | sh
   ample auth signup
   ```

2. **Connect VS Code to Ample's MCP server.** This adds Ample to your VS Code user profile. For one workspace, add it to `.vscode/mcp.json` under `servers` instead.

   ```sh
   code --add-mcp '{"name":"ample","command":"ample","args":["mcp"]}'
   ```

3. **Add the Ample skills (optional).** Three skills teach VS Code when and how to deploy, connect services and migrate. Remove the directories to uninstall.

   ```sh
   curl -fsSL https://ample.computer/skills.sh | sh -s -- .agents/skills
   ```

4. **Ask it to deploy.** The deploy waits until the app is live or failed and returns the URL. On failure the result says who must act and suggests a fix.

   ```sh
   Deploy this app to Ample and give me the URL.
   ```

## Example prompts

- Deploy this app to Ample and give me the URL.
- Add a Postgres database to this app on Ample and redeploy.
- The Ample deploy failed. Read the logs, fix the cause and deploy again.
- Put the uploads in an Ample bucket and serve them from the CDN.
- Move this app from Heroku to Ample.

## Notes

- Install VS Code from https://code.visualstudio.com/download and sign in to GitHub Copilot from the Status Bar.
- VS Code reads `AGENTS.md` at the repository root and `.github/copilot-instructions.md`.

## Sources

- https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers
- https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/agent-skills
- https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/setup