Using MCP in Kilo Code

Model Context Protocol (MCP) extends Kilo Code's capabilities by connecting to external tools and services. This guide covers everything you need to know about using MCP with Kilo Code.

Configuring MCP Servers

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MCP server configurations are stored inside the main Kilo config file. There are two levels:

1. Global Configuration: ~/.config/kilo/kilo.jsonc — applies to all projects.
2. Project-level Configuration: kilo.jsonc in your project root, or .kilo/kilo.jsonc for a cleaner setup.

Precedence: Project-level configuration takes precedence over global configuration.

Editing MCP Settings

You can edit MCP settings from the Kilo Code settings UI:

1. Click the {% codicon name="gear" /%} icon in the sidebar toolbar to open Settings.
2. Click the Agent Behaviour tab on the left side.
3. Select the MCP Servers sub-tab.

From here you can add, edit, enable/disable, and delete MCP servers. Changes are written directly to the appropriate config file.

If the UI cannot add a server, edit a Kilo config file directly and add the server under the top-level mcp key. For project-specific servers, edit ./kilo.json or ./kilo.jsonc if your project already has one; otherwise use ./.kilo/kilo.json or ./.kilo/kilo.jsonc for a cleaner setup. For servers you want in every workspace, use ~/.config/kilo/kilo.json or ~/.config/kilo/kilo.jsonc.

Config Format

MCP servers are configured under the mcp key in kilo.jsonc:

Local (STDIO) server:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-local-server": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["node", "/path/to/server.js"],
      "environment": {
        "API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      },
      "enabled": true,
      "timeout": 10000
    }
  }
}

Remote (HTTP/SSE) server:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-remote-server": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://your-server-url.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-token"
      },
      "enabled": true,
      "timeout": 15000
    }
  }
}

Remote servers support OAuth 2.0 authentication. If the server supports it, Kilo Code will automatically start the OAuth flow when you connect. You can also disable OAuth with "oauth": false.

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The CLI accepts several config filenames. The recommended file is kilo.json:

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Configuration Format

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In the VS Code extension, open Settings → MCP and click Add Server to configure a new server through the UI. You can also edit the config files directly — see the CLI tab for the JSON format.

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Add MCP servers under the mcp key in your config file. Each server has a unique name that you can reference in prompts.

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "my-mcp-command"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

You can disable a server by setting enabled to false without removing it from your config.

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Understanding Transport Types

MCP supports two main transport types:

• Local (STDIO): Servers run as a child process on your machine, communicating over stdin/stdout.
• Remote (HTTP/SSE): Servers hosted over HTTP/HTTPS. Kilo Code tries StreamableHTTP first, then falls back to SSE automatically.

For more details, see STDIO & SSE Transports.

STDIO Transport

Used for local servers running on your machine:

• Communicates via standard input/output streams
• Lower latency (no network overhead)
• Better security (no network exposure)
• Simpler setup (no HTTP server needed)
• Runs as a child process on your machine

For more in-depth information about how STDIO transport works, see STDIO Transport.

STDIO configuration example:

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In the VS Code extension, open Settings → MCP, click Add Server, and choose Local (stdio). Fill in the command, arguments, and optional environment variables through the UI. You can also edit the config files directly — see the CLI tab for the JSON format.

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{
  "mcp": {
    "my-local-server": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "my-mcp-command"],
      "enabled": true,
      "environment": {
        "API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Local Server Options

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Streamable HTTP Transport

Used for remote servers accessed over HTTP/HTTPS:

• Can be hosted on a different machine
• Supports multiple client connections
• Requires network access
• Allows centralized deployment and management

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In the VS Code extension, open Settings → MCP, click Add Server, and choose Remote (HTTP). Enter the server URL and optional headers through the UI. You can also edit the config files directly — see the CLI tab for the JSON format.

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{
  "mcp": {
    "my-remote-server": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://my-mcp-server.com/mcp",
      "enabled": true,
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer MY_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Remote Server Options

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SSE Transport

⚠️ DEPRECATED: The SSE Transport has been deprecated as of MCP specification version 2025-03-26. Please use the HTTP Stream Transport instead, which implements the new Streamable HTTP transport specification.

Used for remote servers accessed over HTTP/HTTPS:

• Communicates via Server-Sent Events protocol
• Can be hosted on a different machine
• Supports multiple client connections
• Requires network access
• Allows centralized deployment and management

For more in-depth information about how SSE transport works, see SSE Transport.

SSE configuration example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remote-server": {
      "url": "https://your-server-url.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-token"
      },
      "alwaysAllow": ["tool3"],
      "disabled": false
    }
  }
}

Managing MCP Servers

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In the VS Code extension, manage MCP servers from Settings → MCP:

• Add a server: Click Add Server and fill in the details
• Enable/disable: Toggle a server on or off without removing its configuration
• Delete: Remove a server from the list

The extension also supports the {env:VARIABLE_NAME} syntax in config files to reference environment variables (see the CLI tab for details).

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CLI Commands

Enabling or Disabling a Server

Inside the interactive TUI, use the /mcps slash command to toggle MCP servers on or off.

You can also edit your config directly. Set enabled to false to disable a server without deleting it, or true to enable it again:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "my-mcp-command"],
      "enabled": false
    }
  }
}

Run kilo mcp list to verify the server status.

Environment Variables

Use {env:VARIABLE_NAME} syntax in config files to reference environment variables:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.example.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer {env:MY_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

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Network Timeout

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Set the timeout field (in milliseconds) in the server's config entry. The default is 10 seconds for local servers and 15 seconds for remote servers.

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Set the timeout field (in milliseconds) in the server's config entry. The default is 30000 (30 seconds).

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Auto Approve Tools

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MCP tool calls use the same permission system as built-in tools. Each MCP tool's permission key is its namespaced name: {server}_{tool} (e.g. my_server_do_something).

At runtime: When an MCP tool is called, the Permission Dock shows an approval prompt. Click Approve Always to save an allow rule to your config so future calls to that tool are auto-approved.

In your config file: Add the tool name (or a wildcard pattern) to the permission key in kilo.jsonc:

{
  "permission": {
    "my_server_do_something": "allow",
    "my_server_*": "allow"
  }
}

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Add permission entries to your config to auto-approve specific tools. MCP tool keys use the server name, an underscore, then the tool name:

{
  "mcp": {
    "my-server": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "my-mcp-server"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  },
  "permission": {
    "my-server_tool1": "allow",
    "my-server_tool2": "allow"
  }
}

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Platform-Specific Local Server Commands

Local MCP server instructions are often written as shell commands, such as npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer. Use the right command format for your operating system.

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In the VS Code extension, open Settings → MCP, click Add Server, and choose Local (stdio).

Windows

Use cmd as the command and pass the package command as arguments:

macOS and Linux

Use the executable directly:

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Windows

Use the full cmd invocation in the command array:

{
  "mcp": {
    "puppeteer": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["cmd", "/c", "npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

macOS and Linux

Use npx directly:

{
  "mcp": {
    "puppeteer": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

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MCP Server Examples

These examples use the current mcp config format. In VS Code, use Settings → MCP → Add Server and enter the same type, URL, or command values through the UI.

Figma Desktop

Connect to the Figma Desktop app's MCP server:

{
  "mcp": {
    "Figma Desktop": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Context7

Add the Context7 MCP server for documentation search:

{
  "mcp": {
    "context7": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.context7.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Everything Test Server

Add the test MCP server for development:

{
  "mcp": {
    "mcp_everything": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-everything"]
    }
  }
}

Finding and Installing MCP Servers

Kilo Code does not come with any pre-installed MCP servers. You'll need to find and install them separately.

• Kilo Marketplace: Browse community-contributed MCP server configurations and agent skills in the Kilo Marketplace. The marketplace includes ready-to-use configs for popular tools like Figma, Sentry, and more.
• Community Repositories: Check for community-maintained lists of MCP servers on GitHub
• Ask Kilo Code: You can ask Kilo Code to help you find or even create MCP servers
• Build Your Own: Create custom MCP servers using the SDK to extend Kilo Code with your own tools

For full SDK documentation, visit the MCP GitHub repository.

Using MCP Tools in Your Workflow

After configuring an MCP server, Kilo Code will automatically detect available tools and resources. To use them:

1. Type your request in the Kilo Code chat interface
2. Kilo Code will identify when an MCP tool can help with your task
3. Approve the tool use when prompted (or use auto-approval)

Example: "Analyze the performance of my API" might use an MCP tool that tests API endpoints.

Troubleshooting MCP Servers

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• Server Not Responding: Check if the server process is running and verify network connectivity. Review server status in Settings > Agent Behaviour > MCP Servers.
• needs_auth status: For remote servers with OAuth, the extension will show a notification to start the auth flow. Click it to authenticate.
• failed status: Check the CLI output for error details. Ensure commands and paths are correct.
• Tool Not Available: Confirm the server is properly implementing the tool and it's not disabled in settings.

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• Server Not Responding: Check if the server process is running. Use kilo mcp debug <server-name> to inspect the connection.
• Permission Errors: Ensure API keys and credentials are set in your kilo.jsonc config or via {env:VARIABLE_NAME} references.
• Tool Not Available: Confirm the server is properly implementing the tool and it is not disabled ("enabled": false) in your config.
• Slow Performance: Increase the timeout value for the specific MCP server in your config.

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{% callout type="tip" %} Reduce system prompt size: If you're not using MCP, turn it off in Settings > Agent Behaviour > MCP Servers to significantly cut down the size of the system prompt and improve performance. {% /callout %}