vsc_tasks_json

This package is an MCP server that enables AI agents to execute tasks defined in VSCode's .vscode/tasks.json.

Overview

By adding the options.mcp property to task definitions in tasks.json, those tasks are registered as individual MCP tools. Each task can be called as an independent tool, and required variables are automatically defined as input schemas.

Prerequisites

The following environment is required to use this MCP server:

  • tasks.json: Tasks must be defined in .vscode/tasks.json

Cursor MCP Configuration

MCP Server Registration

Add the following to Cursor's configuration file (.cursor/mcp.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vsc_tasks_json": {
      "command": "dart",
      "args": ["run", "vsc_tasks_json"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Installation

Using dart pub global activate

To install globally:

dart pub global activate vsc_tasks_mcp

When installed using this method, the Cursor configuration file (.cursor/mcp.json) should be as follows:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vsc_tasks_json": {
      "command": "vsc_tasks_mcp",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Adding to pubspec.yaml

To add as a project dependency, add the following to pubspec.yaml:

dependencies:
  vsc_tasks_mcp: ^1.0.0

Then install the dependencies:

dart pub get

When installed using this method, the Cursor configuration file (.cursor/mcp.json) should be as follows:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vsc_tasks_json": {
      "command": "dart",
      "args": ["run", "vsc_tasks_mcp"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Project Root Detection

The MCP server detects the project root using the following method:

  1. Check for the existence of .vscode/tasks.json from the current directory
  2. If not found, search up to 10 parent directory levels
  3. Use the found directory as the project root

Starting the Server

You can start the MCP server from the project root with the following command:

dart run vsc_tasks_json

tasks.json Configuration

This MCP server only registers tasks as individual tools if they have the options.mcp property set in their task definition in tasks.json.

Configuration Example

{
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "tasks": [
    {
      "label": "build",
      "type": "shell",
      "command": "dart",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "grinder",
        "build",
        "--${input:platform}",
        "--release",
        "--flavor=${input:flavor}"
      ],
      "options": {
        "mcp": {
          "tool": "app_build",
          "description": "Execute Flutter app build"
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "platform",
      "type": "pickString",
      "description": "Target platform for build",
      "options": ["android", "ios"]
    },
    {
      "id": "flavor",
      "type": "pickString",
      "description": "Build flavor",
      "options": ["development", "staging", "production"]
    }
  ]
}

With the above configuration, an MCP tool named app_build will be registered.

options.mcp Configuration Fields

  • tool: MCP tool name (required)
  • description: Tool description (optional)

Provided Tools

Tool Input Schema

Required variables are automatically detected from the task's command and args, and an input schema is generated:

  • ${input:platform} → platform argument (required)
  • ${input:flavor} → flavor argument (required)
  • ${file} → file argument (required)

Variable Support

The following variable formats are supported:

  • ${input:variable_name}: Variables defined in tasks.json inputs
  • ${file}: File path

Logging

Log File Locations

The MCP server outputs execution logs to the following locations:

  • Server log: build/vsc_tasks_mcp/mcp_server.log
    • Records server startup, initialization, and errors
  • Tool logs: build/vsc_tasks_mcp/{tool_name}.log
    • Creates individual log files for each tool execution
    • Records execution command, standard output, standard error output, and exit code

Viewing Logs

Viewing Server Log

cat build/vsc_tasks_json/mcp_server.log

Viewing Tool Logs

# View app_build tool log
cat build/vsc_tasks_mcp/app_build.log

Troubleshooting

Task Not Found

Symptom: Task is not recognized as an MCP tool

Causes and Solutions:

  • Verify that the options.mcp property is set
  • Verify that the options.mcp.tool field exists

Task Execution Error

Symptom: Error is returned when calling the tool

Solutions:

  1. Get the log file path from the logFile field in the response
  2. Check the log file for detailed error information
  3. Check the command field for the actual command that was executed
# Example of checking log file
cat /path/to/project/build/vsc_tasks_mcp/app_build.log

Project Root Not Detected

Symptom: Error indicating .vscode/tasks.json was not found

Solutions:

  • Start the MCP server from the project root (or a subdirectory)
  • Verify that .vscode/tasks.json exists
  • Check the server log for the detected project root
cat build/vsc_tasks_mcp/mcp_server.log

Variables Not Replaced

Symptom: ${input:xxx} remains unchanged in the command

Solutions:

  • Verify that all required arguments are passed when calling the tool
  • Verify that argument names match the variable names in tasks.json (the input: prefix is not required)

Libraries