> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.credibledata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VS Code Extension

> Build semantic models in VS Code or Cursor with the Credible Extension

Credible ships a **VS Code extension** that works in both **VS Code** and **Cursor**. It connects your IDE to the Credible platform, equipping your coding agent with the same governed models, MCP (Model Context Protocol) tools, and [open-source skills](/introduction#one-set-of-skills-every-surface) as every other Credible surface.

The steps below use Cursor as the example, but the same workflow applies to VS Code — and to **Claude Code** running in a workspace the extension has configured.

## Prerequisites

* **Cursor**, **VS Code**, or **VS Code with Claude Code** installed (latest version recommended)
* **Credible organization** set up by an admin
* **Database connections configured** by your admin — see [Connect a Database](/how-to/modeling/connect-data)

## What the Credible Extension Provides

The Credible Extension configures your IDE workspace with everything the agent needs for semantic modeling:

* **Modeling MCP tools** — A set of MCP tools built specifically for modeling: the agent can discover tables in your warehouse, suggest modeling approaches, and look up Malloy syntax — the same open tools [Malloy Publisher](https://github.com/malloydata/publisher) provides
* **Modeling skills** — Slash commands (e.g., `/malloy-model`, `/malloy-discover`, `/credible-publish`) that guide the agent through common workflows. These are Credible's [open-source skills](/introduction#one-set-of-skills-every-surface) — the same playbooks the in-app agent runs. The agent uses them automatically based on context
* **Managed database connections** — Access connections configured in the Credible App without storing credentials locally
* **Credible Service Panel** — Browse your environment and its managed connections, down to individual schemas and tables

Installing the Credible Extension also installs the [Malloy extension](https://docs.malloydata.dev/documentation/setup/extension), which provides:

* **Syntax highlighting & compilation checks** for `.malloy`, `.malloynb`, and `.malloysql` files
* **Schema | Explore | Preview buttons** above any source definition
* **Run | Show SQL buttons** above any query or run statement

## Installation

### Install the Credible Extension & Sign In

1. In Cursor or VS Code, go to the Extensions view (`Cmd+Shift+X` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+X` on Windows/Linux), search for **Credible**, and install the extension — select **Auto Update** when prompted
2. Open the Explorer (`Cmd+Shift+E` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+E` on Windows/Linux), expand the **Credible** panel at the bottom of the sidebar, and click **Sign In** — then follow the steps in your browser
3. Back in your IDE, select your organization from the list (if you only belong to one, it's selected automatically), then select your environment

### Modeling MCP Tools

The Credible Extension equips your agent with a set of **MCP tools specifically for modeling** — the same open tools [Malloy Publisher](https://github.com/malloydata/publisher) provides, paired with the same [open-source skills](/introduction#one-set-of-skills-every-surface) that guide every Credible agent. The extension registers them automatically as an environment-scoped **Credible-Modeling** MCP server — no manual enabling required. In Cursor, the extension registers the server programmatically; in VS Code, it writes a workspace-scoped `.vscode/mcp.json` config.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cursor">
    To verify, open Cursor Settings (`Cmd+Shift+J` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+J` on Windows/Linux) → **Tools & MCP**. The server appears as **extension-Credible-Modeling** — Cursor uses this naming convention to indicate it was registered by an extension.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="VS Code">
    To verify, open the Command Palette (`Cmd+Shift+P` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+P` on Windows/Linux) and run **"MCP: List Servers"** — you should see **Credible-Modeling** in the list.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    When you start Claude Code in your workspace, you'll be prompted to allow Claude Code to run in the directory and to accept the **Credible-Modeling** MCP server. Accept both. Use `/mcp` at any time to view and manage your MCP servers.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Every time you change environments, the extension updates the MCP config automatically. If the agent can't call MCP tools, reload the window (`Cmd+Shift+P` → "Reload Window").

## Credible Service Panel

The **Credible Service Panel** shows your current environment and its connections. Find it at the bottom of the Explorer view (`Cmd+Shift+E` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+E` on Windows/Linux):

<Note>
  The Credible Service Panel is part of the IDE extension, so it's available in Cursor and VS Code only. If you use Claude Code from the terminal, manage your environment with the [CLI](/platform-admin/cli) or the Credible App instead.
</Note>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ms2/hbN0V7V2tgDWdpis/images/quickstart/credible-service-panel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=hbN0V7V2tgDWdpis&q=85&s=26861b4f910d4d9c419ee0711cd2a344" alt="Credible Service Panel in Cursor" style={{width: "400px", maxWidth: "100%", height: "auto"}} width="652" height="762" data-path="images/quickstart/credible-service-panel.png" />

Here you can view:

* **Your current environment** — click it to switch environments
* **Connections**: Managed database connections in the environment — expand one to browse its schemas and tables

The extension automatically discovers connections in your environment, eliminating the need to store database credentials locally.

<Accordion title="Don't see the Credible Service panel?">
  The sidebar may be hidden by default in Cursor:

  1. Open the **Explorer** panel (`Cmd+Shift+E`) (or `Ctrl+Shift+E` on Windows/Linux)
  2. Look for the **Credible** panel at the bottom of the explorer sidebar
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Panel controls">
  The Credible Extension can be configured via the Command Palette (`Cmd+Shift+P`) or clicking icons in the Credible Service panel:

  * **Disable Credible**: Turn off the extension for this workspace
  * **Refresh**: Reload your environment and its connections
  * **Select Organization**: Choose from your available organizations (auto-selects if you only belong to one)
  * **Sign Out**: Log out of Credible
</Accordion>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Modeling Overview" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" color="#5C7A93" href="/how-to/modeling/ai-modeling">
    Your environment is ready — start building semantic models with your agent
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect your Coding Agent" icon="message-bot" color="#94793A" href="/how-to/developers/connect-coding-agent">
    Let your agent analyze data with your published models
  </Card>
</CardGroup>