How to Add Tools to GitHub Copilot Chat: The Complete Guide

GitHub Copilot Chat is incredibly powerful for code generation and refactoring, but what if you could give it access to your databases, APIs, and custom tools? With MCP (Model Context Protocol) support, Copilot Chat can do far more than just write code—it can interact with your entire development ecosystem.

The challenge? Managing those tools efficiently and securely.

The Problem with Traditional Copilot Chat Tool Configuration

If you've tried adding custom tools to GitHub Copilot Chat, you know the pain points:

• Scattered Configuration: Each tool requires manual setup in Copilot's settings
• Security Concerns: API keys end up in plaintext configuration files
• Repetitive Work: Adding the same tools to multiple projects or team members
• Limited Discovery: Hard to find and try new MCP servers
• Update Overhead: Changing an API key means updating multiple configs

OrbitalMCP: The Smart Way to Add Tools to Copilot Chat

OrbitalMCP provides a centralized, secure hub for managing all your GitHub Copilot Chat tools. Instead of configuring tools one by one, you set up your entire toolkit once and give Copilot a single connection point.

How It Works

Step 1: Configure Your Tools in OrbitalMCP

Visit your OrbitalMCP dashboard and add the MCP servers you want Copilot to access:

• GitHub Integration: Enhanced repository management beyond Copilot's defaults
• Database Tools: Query MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB directly from chat
• Testing Frameworks: Run tests and interpret results
• Documentation Generators: Create API docs from your code
• Deployment Tools: Trigger builds and check deployment status
• Custom Internal APIs: Your company's proprietary tools

Step 2: Get Your Unified Endpoint

OrbitalMCP generates a personalized OpenAPI endpoint that describes all your tools in a format GitHub Copilot Chat can understand. This single URL is your gateway to everything.

Step 3: Connect Copilot to OrbitalMCP

In your GitHub Copilot settings in VS Code, add your OrbitalMCP endpoint as a tool provider. Copilot instantly discovers and can use all your configured tools.

Real-World Use Cases

Full-Stack Development

"@copilot, check the user table schema in our PostgreSQL database, then generate a TypeScript interface that matches it."

With OrbitalMCP's database connector, Copilot can actually query your database and generate perfectly aligned code.

DevOps Workflows

"@copilot, check the status of our staging deployment and tell me if the latest commit has been deployed."

With deployment tool integration, Copilot becomes your DevOps assistant.

Testing and QA

"@copilot, run the test suite for the authentication module and explain any failures."

With test framework tools, Copilot can execute and analyze test results.

Security You Can Trust

Encrypted Credential Storage: All your API keys and secrets are encrypted in OrbitalMCP's secure vault.

Single Revocable Key: Copilot only uses your OrbitalMCP API key. Revoke it anytime to instantly cut off access.

No Local Secrets: Your sensitive credentials never touch your local config files.

Audit Logs: Track exactly which tools Copilot is using and when.

Team Benefits

OrbitalMCP shines for team environments:

• Consistent Tooling: Everyone on your team has access to the same tools
• Easy Onboarding: New developers get the full toolkit with one config change
• Centralized Management: DevOps can manage tool access from one dashboard
• Cost Control: Monitor and limit tool usage across your team

Getting Started with Copilot + OrbitalMCP

1. Sign up at www.orbitalmcp.com
2. Browse the MCP server directory and install relevant tools
3. Configure any necessary API keys in your secure vault
4. Copy your personal OpenAPI endpoint URL
5. Add the endpoint to GitHub Copilot Chat settings
6. Start using enhanced Copilot capabilities immediately

Beyond Basic Code Completion

GitHub Copilot Chat is already powerful, but with access to external tools through OrbitalMCP, it transforms into a complete development assistant that can:

• Query your production databases
• Manage your cloud infrastructure
• Run and analyze tests
• Deploy applications
• Generate documentation
• And much more

Stop limiting Copilot to just code suggestions. Give it the tools to truly help you build.

Ready to supercharge GitHub Copilot Chat? Start with OrbitalMCP today.