HowToCook-MCP Server for VS Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with HowToCook-MCP in VS Code

Useful when an assistant needs recipe details and restriction-aware weekly meal planning together.

• Find ingredients and preparation steps for a specific dish.
• Plan weekly meals around allergies and disliked ingredients.

Before you start: HowToCook-MCP in VS Code

• Node.js 16.0.0 or later
• npm or yarn
• An MCP-compatible client

For the Cursor npm configuration, the README instructs users to run npm i -g howtocook-mcp first to avoid client creation failures. Source builds and HTTP/SSE alternatives are also described. No required environment variables are stated.

HowToCook-MCP VS Code configuration

1. Choose VS Code configuration scope

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

2. Add HowToCook-MCP Server to VS Code

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

3. Check HowToCook-MCP Server in VS Code

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

{
  "servers": {
    "HowToCook-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "howtocook-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

HowToCook-MCP tools available to VS Code

HowToCook-MCP'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.

mcp_howtocook_getAllRecipes

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

mcp_howtocook_getRecipesByCategory

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

Find recipes within a selected food category.

mcp_howtocook_recommendMeals

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

Suggest a weekly meal plan and rough shopping list using allergies, exclusions, and diner count.

mcp_howtocook_whatToEat

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

Recommend a dish combination for the specified group size.

mcp_howtocook_getRecipeById

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

HowToCook-MCP: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting HowToCook-MCP in VS Code

• Make npx howtocook-mcp (Node.js/npm) available in the workspace, container, or remote environment hosting HowToCook-MCP Server. Start through VS Code's MCP controls; inspect output and trust prompts.
• HowToCook-MCP Server uses stdio here: VS Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Retrieving every recipe can use excessive assistant context.
• Known limitation: The documented recommendation range is limited to ten diners.
• General VS Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/vscode guide.

Frequently asked questions