How to Install ox-mcp MCP in VS Code

To install the ox-mcp MCP server in VS Code, click the install button below (deep-link) — VS Code opens and adds the server. No JSON editing needed.

Install link

vscode:mcp/install?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%3D%3D

1-click install via Unyly

1
Click the install button
VS Code opens automatically.
2
Confirm
Approve adding the MCP server.
3
Done
The server is connected; a restart is usually not required.

Where the config lives

VS Code stores MCP servers in your user settings.json (global) or .vscode/mcp.json in a workspace (that project only). The install link adds the user-level entry.

Project vs global scope

User settings apply everywhere; a workspace .vscode/mcp.json scopes the server to that project and can be shared via git.

API keys & environment variables

This server needs environment variables: OX_MCP_ACCOUNTS, OX_MCP_CALDAV_APP_PASSWORD, OX_MCP_CALDAV_SERVER, OX_MCP_CALDAV_USER, OX_MCP_DEFAULT_SERVER, OX_MCP_ENABLE_CALDAV, OX_MCP_ENABLE_CALENDAR_RESPOND_EVENT, OX_MCP_ENABLE_EMAIL_SEND, OX_MCP_MAIL_APP_PASSWORD, OX_MCP_MAIL_SERVER, OX_MCP_MAIL_USER, OX_MCP_PERSONAL_CALDAV_APP_PASSWORD, OX_MCP_PERSONAL_CALDAV_SERVER, OX_MCP_PERSONAL_CALDAV_USER, OX_MCP_WORK_ENABLE_CALENDAR_CREATE_EVENT, OX_MCP_WORK_MAIL_APP_PASSWORD, OX_MCP_WORK_MAIL_SERVER, OX_MCP_WORK_MAIL_USER. Put your real values in the env block (Cursor / VS Code / Claude Desktop) or as -e KEY=value flags (Claude Code). Keep them in env, not args — otherwise the secrets leak into logs.

Verify it works

Open the MCP view in VS Code — the server appears once it connects. Hover it to see its tools.

If the tools don’t appear

· Restart VS Code fully (not just the window).
· Check the command/config for typos; validate the JSON if applicable.
· Make sure Node.js or uv is installed (for npx/uvx servers).
· Check VS Code’s logs — the server may have crashed on start (missing env var, bad token).

How many servers is too many

Every connected server adds its tools to the model’s context. Past ~40–60 tools, selection accuracy drops. Keep only the servers you use enabled, or reach the whole catalog through a gateway — one connection instead of dozens.

Removing ox-mcp

Delete the server from settings.json (or .vscode/mcp.json), or disable it in the MCP view.

Install ox-mcp in another client

Cursor Claude Code Claude Desktop

FAQ

Do I need to edit JSON by hand?

No. In VS Code it's a command or a deep-link; on Unyly the Install button writes the config for you.

Where is the VS Code config file?

VS Code keeps MCP servers in its own settings — installing via command/button means you never touch a file by hand.

The MCP isn’t showing up — what do I do?

Restart VS Code, check the command/config for typos, and make sure Node.js / a package runner is installed if the server runs via npx/uvx.

How do I update ox-mcp?

Servers run via npx/uvx pull the latest version on launch. Otherwise, reinstall the same way.

Is it safe to install ox-mcp?

An MCP server runs with your client’s permissions and access to its data. Install it with the same caution as any npm package: check the source and keep secrets in env. Verified servers on Unyly have passed a security scan.

Does ox-mcp cost anything?

Browsing and installing on Unyly is free. The server itself may need a third-party API key — that’s billed by the service, not by Unyly.

Can I use ox-mcp in ChatGPT or claude.ai?

Not directly: ox-mcp is a local (stdio) server, and ChatGPT/claude.ai only accept remote MCPs. Use the Unyly gateway to expose local servers as one remote endpoint.

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