## The short version

To let VS Code deploy to Ample, install the Ample CLI, run `ample auth signup` (no browser or card) and connect VS Code to the `ample mcp` server. Then ask it to deploy: Ample builds the app, returns a live HTTPS URL, and explains any failure so VS Code can fix it.

## Set up VS Code for Ample

1. 1

### Install the Ample CLI and create an account

`ample auth signup` creates an account with no browser, card or CAPTCHA. Claim it by email within 48 hours to keep it (`ample auth claim --email you@example.com`).

```
curl -fsSL https://get.ample.computer/install.sh | sh
ample auth signup
```

2. 2

### Connect VS Code to Ample's MCP server

This adds Ample to your VS Code user profile. For one workspace, add it to `.vscode/mcp.json` under `servers` instead.

```
code --add-mcp '{"name":"ample","command":"ample","args":["mcp"]}'
```

3. 3

### Add the Ample skills (optional)

Three skills teach VS Code when and how to deploy, connect services and migrate. Remove the directories to uninstall.

```
curl -fsSL https://ample.computer/skills.sh | sh -s -- .agents/skills
```

4. 4

### Ask it to deploy

The deploy waits until the app is live or failed and returns the URL. On failure the result says who must act and suggests a fix.

```
Deploy this app to Ample and give me the URL.
```

## Example prompts

- Deploy this app to Ample and give me the URL.
- Add a Postgres database to this app on Ample and redeploy.
- The Ample deploy failed. Read the logs, fix the cause and deploy again.
- Put the uploads in an Ample bucket and serve them from the CDN.
- Move this app from Heroku to Ample.

## Notes

- Install VS Code from https://code.visualstudio.com/download and sign in to GitHub Copilot from the Status Bar.
- VS Code reads `AGENTS.md` at the repository root and `.github/copilot-instructions.md`.

## VS Code documentation

- [code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers)
- [code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/agent-skills](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/agent-skills)
- [code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/setup](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/setup)