Android MCP Server for VS Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with Android in VS Code

Pick it for direct ADB access paired with screenshot and clickable-UI inspection.

• Inspect clickable UI elements and their screen coordinates
• List installed packages and inspect package actions

Before you start: Android in VS Code

• Python 3.x; setup example installs 3.11
• uv
• ADB installed and configured
• An Android device; emulator support is untested

Replace both path placeholders. Clone the repository and run uv sync first. Select a device in config.yaml when more than one is attached.

Android VS Code configuration

1. Choose VS Code configuration scope

   For Android MCP Server, open Workspace: .vscode/mcp.json. Merge into servers; preserve existing inputs.

2. Add Android MCP Server to VS Code

   Use the android-mcp-server entry below in servers. Keep Android MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other VS Code entries.

3. Check Android MCP Server in VS Code

   Android MCP Server: Start in VS Code’s MCP controls; inspect output and trust prompts.

{
  "servers": {
    "android-mcp-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "path/to/uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "path/to/android-mcp-server",
        "run",
        "server.py"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Android tools available to VS Code

Android's stored tool list documents 5 tools; compare it with VS Code's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

get_packages

Look for get_packages among VS Code's agent-mode tools after starting Android through the MCP controls.

execute_adb_command

Look for execute_adb_command among VS Code's agent-mode tools after starting Android through the MCP controls.

Run an ADB command and return its output.

get_uilayout

Look for get_uilayout among VS Code's agent-mode tools after starting Android through the MCP controls.

Inspect clickable UI elements, including bounds and center coordinates.

get_screenshot

Look for get_screenshot among VS Code's agent-mode tools after starting Android through the MCP controls.

Capture the current device screen.

get_package_action_intents

Look for get_package_action_intents among VS Code's agent-mode tools after starting Android through the MCP controls.

Android: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting Android in VS Code

• Make uv available in the workspace, container, or remote environment hosting Android MCP Server. Start through VS Code's MCP controls; inspect output and trust prompts.
• Android MCP Server uses stdio here: VS Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Emulator use is marked untested
• Known limitation: Requires ADB installation and a connected device
• General VS Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/vscode guide.

Frequently asked questions