# How do I use Evaboot from VS Code?

**Save a small `.vscode/mcp.json` file, then restart VS Code.** The file carries your Evaboot API key. Copilot in VS Code then uses Evaboot.

Once connected, Copilot can build a Sales Navigator search from your description, launch the export, and find or verify emails. It uses the same credits and daily quota as the Evaboot dashboard.

**Server URL:** `https://mcp.evaboot.com/mcp`

## Before you start

- **VS Code with Copilot** installed on your computer.
- **An Evaboot account.**
- **Your Evaboot API key.** Find it on the [API key](https://dash.evaboot.com/dash/api/) page. The [MCP page](https://dash.evaboot.com/dash/mcp/) shows the file with your key already in it.
- **A connected Sales Navigator account** for searches and exports. Email finding and email verification work without one.

Treat the key like a password. It gives full access to your Evaboot account. Never commit it to a repository or paste it into a shared document. A new key immediately breaks anything still using the old one.

## Steps

1. **Create `.vscode/mcp.json`** in your project.
   ![The MCP page of the Evaboot dashboard with the VS Code tile selected and its setup steps](https://help.evaboot.com/images/flows/manual-mcp/vscode.png)
2. **Paste the config.** Copy it from the [MCP page](https://dash.evaboot.com/dash/mcp/), under **VS Code**. Or replace `YOUR_API_KEY` below with your key:

   ```json
   {
     "servers": {
       "evaboot": {
         "type": "http",
         "url": "https://mcp.evaboot.com/mcp",
         "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

3. **Save the file.**
4. **Restart VS Code.**

## Then ask

For example: "Using Evaboot, find HR directors at French SaaS companies and export the first 50 with emails".

## If it didn't work

- **The connection fails, or VS Code reports a 401.** Check that the header reads exactly `Authorization: Bearer <key>`. Check that the key is the current one.
- **No Evaboot tools appear.** Check that the file is named `.vscode/mcp.json`, then restart VS Code.
- **A tool says "insufficient credits" (402).** Check your balance in the Evaboot dashboard.
- **A tool returns a 429 error.** If the message starts with `No connected LinkedIn account`, run one extraction from the Evaboot Chrome extension to reconnect your seat. Otherwise you reached the daily export limit of your Sales Navigator seat: wait for the daily reset.
- **Quota shows 0, or a tool returns 409.** Evaboot lost your Sales Navigator connection. In Chrome, signed in to the same Evaboot account, open a Sales Navigator search and click **Export with Evaboot**. Opening the launch page is enough. Then retry. Full steps: [How to reconnect your LinkedIn account](https://help.evaboot.com/public/bug-fixing/how-to-reconnect-your-linkedin-account/).

## Related articles

- [How Do I Use Evaboot from Cursor?](https://help.evaboot.com/public/integrations/how-do-i-connect-evaboot-to-cursor/)
- [How Do I Use Evaboot from Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor?](https://help.evaboot.com/public/integrations/how-do-i-connect-evaboot-to-an-ai-assistant/)
- [How Does the Evaboot API Work?](https://help.evaboot.com/public/integrations/how-does-the-evaboot-api-work/)