VS Code setup

Add Variel to VS Code.

Drop one JSON block into .vscode/mcp.json and the Variel MCP server is live in VS Code. Your brand travels with Copilot from the first prompt.

01

Install

Add to .vscode/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "variel": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@variel/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

02

Generate a brand from the agent

Ask your VS Code agent to run generate_brand_kickoff — give it a one-line brief or a repo URL. Variel returns divergent brand directions as links. Open them, pick one, and your key is minted. No signup required.

Ask your VS Code agent to run:

generate_brand_kickoff

Describe your product in one line, or paste a repo URL. Variel returns /k/<token>/<index> links for divergent brand directions — open them, pick one, and your key is minted.

03

Bring or mint a key

Already have a Variel brand? Run variel-mcp login in your terminal to pull your key, then add the inputs prompt to .vscode/mcp.json.

Add to .vscode/mcp.json (with key prompt):

{
  "servers": {
    "variel": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@variel/mcp-server"],
      "inputs": [
        {
          "id": "brand_api_key",
          "type": "promptString",
          "description": "Variel API key (vrl_…)",
          "password": true
        }
      ],
      "env": { "BRAND_API_KEY": "${input:brand_api_key}" }
    }
  }
}

Run variel-mcp login to pull your existing key, or find it in your Variel project dashboard.

All clients and the full connect guide