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Prerequisites

VS Code

Download and install VS Code (free)

Node.js 18+

Required for the Hub Bridge - check with node --version

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Setup Options

VS Code now supports both local Hub Bridge and direct remote HTTP endpoints.

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Option 1: Remote HTTP Endpoint (Direct Connection)

1

Visit nexus.civic.com

  1. Sign in to nexus.civic.com
  2. Select the MCP servers you want to use
  3. Copy the MCP URL: https://nexus.civic.com/hub/mcp
2

Add to VS Code Settings

  1. Open VS Code Settings (File → Preferences → Settings)
  2. Search for “MCP”
  3. In the MCP Servers section, click Add Server
  4. Configure:
    • Name: Civic Nexus
    • Type: http
    • URL: https://nexus.civic.com/hub/mcp
  5. Save the configuration
3

Enable MCP Features

In VS Code Settings, search for “MCP” and enable the required MCP extension options
4

Test Connection

Try these commands to verify: “What MCP servers are available?”

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Option 2: Hub Bridge (Local Connection)

1

Click 'Add to VS Code'

Use the one-click install button below:
📦 Add to VS Code (Hub Bridge)
2

Install in VS Code

When VS Code opens, click “Install” to add the Civic Nexus MCP server
3

Enable MCP Features

In VS Code Settings, search for “MCP” and enable the required MCP extension options
4

First-Time Authentication

The first time you use any MCP command, the Hub Bridge will:
  • Automatically download and install itself
  • Handle authentication directly in the chat interface
  • Let you select which tools to connect from nexus.civic.com

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Test Your Connection

Try these prompts in VS Code’s chat/AI features: 
"What MCP servers are available?"
"Show me my connected tools"
"Help me set up GitHub integration"

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Manual Setup (Alternative)

If the one-click install doesn’t work, add Civic Nexus manually:
1

Open VS Code Settings

Go to File → Preferences → Settings, then search for “MCP”
2

Add MCP Server

  1. Look for MCP Servers section in settings
  2. Click Add Server or +
  3. Configure the server:
    • Name: Civic Nexus
    • Type: stdio
    • Command: npx -y @civic/hub-bridge
  4. Save the configuration
3

Enable and Test

Enable MCP features and test with: “What MCP servers are available?”

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Method 2: Via Configuration File

1

Create MCP Configuration File

Create a file called .mcp.json in your workspace root directory
2

Add Configuration

Add the following content:
{
  "servers": {
    "civic-nexus": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@civic/hub-bridge"]
    }
  }
}
3

Restart VS Code

Save the file and restart VS Code. The MCP server will be automatically detected.
4

Test Connection

Test with: “What MCP servers are available?”

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Troubleshooting

Make sure VS Code is installed and try copying this URL manually:
vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22Civic%20Nexus%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22stdio%22%2C%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40civic%2Fhub-bridge%22%5D%7D
Install Node.js 18 or later from nodejs.org and restart VS Code.
Make sure you have the MCP extension installed. Some VS Code versions require additional extensions for MCP support.
The Hub Bridge should handle authentication in the chat. If it doesn’t:
  1. Restart VS Code
  2. Make sure you’re trying to use a tool that requires authentication
  3. Try running the Hub Bridge manually: npx -y @civic/hub-bridge

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Managing Your Tools

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Adding More Tools

You can add new tools directly in your VS Code chat: 
"Connect me to GitHub"
"Add Slack to my available tools"  
"I need access to PostgreSQL"
"Show me what tools are available to connect"
VS Code will handle the connection process and guide you through any required authentication steps.

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Removing Tools

You can disconnect from specific tools directly in chat: 
"Disconnect from Slack"  
"Remove GitHub from my tools"
"What tools do I currently have connected?"
"Stop my access to Dropbox"

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Removing the MCP Server

To remove Civic Nexus completely: Via Settings:
1

Open MCP Settings

Go to File → Preferences → Settings and search for “MCP”
2

Delete Server

  1. Find “Civic Nexus” in your MCP servers list
  2. Click the Delete or Remove button next to it
Via Configuration File:
1

Edit Configuration

Open your .mcp.json file in the workspace root
2

Remove Entry

Delete the "civic-nexus" entry from the servers object
3

Save and Restart

Save the file and restart VS Code

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Resources

Hub Bridge Guide

Detailed Hub Bridge setup for VS Code

Client Compatibility

Technical details about VS Code MCP support

Troubleshooting

Common VS Code connection issues

Get Help

Join our developer community for setup assistance