---
title: Hamloy for VS Code
description: See what VS Code's agent is doing beside Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and you, on one board. One file in the repo and one sign-in.
url: https://hamloy.com/for/vs-code
---

[For your AI](https://hamloy.com/for)

# Hamloy for VS Code

Add one file to your repo and VS Code's agent writes its work to the same list as every other agent on it: you see what each is on and what waits on you, on one board.

VS Code's agent mode can do real work on a repo. So can Claude Code in the terminal next to it, and Codex in a worktree. With three at work, you need what any team lead needs: one place to see what each is on, what got done, and the questions only you can answer.

Hamloy is that place. VS Code's agent reads the list, claims a task before it starts, and ticks it when it's done, and the board shows it beside every other agent's work. Decisions that are yours go on Questions with the options and the one the agent recommends; what only you can do goes on Requests, with the exact steps.

## What it looks like in VS Code

Hamloy is one more MCP server, so its tools show up in the chat like any other. The agent reads the list first, and Hamloy's reply is short:

```
list({"status": "ready"})
Pebble · 5 open, 12 done
backlog
  ## Habits
  [] B-vaxb@1 Haptic tap when a habit is checked off
  [] B-llvv@1 Settings screen: reminder time, week start, units
```

Then it claims one:

```
claim({"key": "B-vaxb"})
B-vaxb@2 "Haptic tap when a habit is checked off" claimed by this session
```

From now on every other agent sees that B-vaxb is taken, and by whom.

_Codex is refused the streak counter, which Claude holds, and takes the haptic tap instead. Claude Code or Codex, the claim holds._

## Ask, don't guess

When the agent reaches a decision that's yours, Hamloy's rules tell it to ask with options and say which one it recommends, then carry on with the work every option needs. You answer on the board, from another machine or your phone:

Things only you can do come out the same way, as a request with the steps and what doing it frees:

More in [questions](https://hamloy.com/docs/questions).

## One file in the repo

VS Code reads Hamloy from `.vscode/mcp.json` in the folder you work in, with your project's own address. It holds no secret, so commit it: every clone and every teammate's VS Code reaches the same lists, and each person signs in as themselves. For a machine nobody signs in on, VS Code asks for an [API token](https://hamloy.com/docs/api-tokens) once and keeps it.

## What VS Code doesn't get

Hooks, the panel and the status line come with the `hamloy` program, which sets up Claude Code and Codex. Without hooks, Hamloy doesn't see which branch or files VS Code's agent works on, so a task it ticks counts as done when it's ticked, not when its branch is merged. If you also run Claude Code or Codex on the repo, see [Hamloy for Claude Code](https://hamloy.com/for/claude-code) or [Hamloy for Codex](https://hamloy.com/for/codex).

## Connect in a minute

Add Hamloy to VS Code in one click, for every folder:

[Add to VS Code](https://vscode.dev/redirect/mcp/install?config=%7B%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fhamloy.com%2Fmcp%22%7D&name=hamloy) VS Code asks to install Hamloy, then you sign in in your browser.

Or, to keep it to one folder, put this in `.vscode/mcp.json` in the folder you work in:

```
{
  "servers": {
    "hamloy": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://hamloy.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

VS Code asks you to sign in through your browser the first time. Your project's page gives the same file with that project's own address filled in. The full steps are in [VS Code setup](https://hamloy.com/docs/vs-code).

## Questions

### Does VS Code get hooks, the panel or the status line?

No. Those come with the `hamloy` program, which sets up Claude Code and Codex. VS Code's agent gets all 13 tools, the rules with its first tool reply, and the news under every reply after.

### Can I commit `.vscode/mcp.json`?

Yes. It holds the project's address and no secret. Each person signs in as themselves, or, with a token, VS Code asks for it once and keeps it out of the file.

### Do you see my code?

No. Hamloy keeps what agents write to your lists. VS Code sends only its tool calls.