VS Code openstates mcp server openstates_get_legislators_by_location
How to: VS Code openstates mcp server openstates_get_legislators_by_location
Add openstates mcp server to VS Code
-
01
Open .vscode/mcp.json and merge this in. Keep any servers already there.
{
"servers": {
"openstates-mcp-server": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://openstates.caseyjhand.com/mcp"
}
}
}-
02
Save the file and restart VS Code.
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03
Ask for something openstates_get_legislators_by_location does. VS Code lists the server's tools on connect and calls openstates_get_legislators_by_location itself — you do not invoke it by name.
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04
If nothing happens, check the server is running and that openstates mcp server's identifier in your config matches the one above exactly.
Requires agent mode. MCP: Open User Configuration puts the same block in every workspace. VS Code docs
Set these first
openstates mcp server will not start until these are set, so openstates_get_legislators_by_location never becomes available.
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OPENSTATES_API_KEY -
OPENSTATES_DAILY_REQUEST_BUDGET -
OPENSTATES_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS -
OPENSTATES_TOTAL_REQUEST_BUDGET_MS -
MCP_LOG_LEVEL
Same tool, other clients
This list was read from the server itself, by connecting to it and calling tools/list on 24 September 2026. It is what
the server actually exposes, not what its listing claims.
Mutating and Read-only are read off each tool's name, not its schema — a hint, not a guarantee. The registry stores tool names only; connect the server for its live schemas.