Microsoft Launches Game-Changing Tool for Developers

In an exciting move for software developers, Microsoft has just launched the Azure DevOps Model Context Provider (MCP) Server in public preview, and it's set to transform how developers interact with project data!

Natural Language Meets Development

Imagine being able to access your Azure DevOps project data through simple natural language prompts while working in your favorite development environments, like Visual Studio Code. That's now a reality! This powerful integration allows GitHub Copilot to seamlessly query and interact with Azure DevOps project information, leveraging the power of AI.

Your Local Bridge to Enhanced Productivity

The MCP Server acts as a local bridge between your GitHub Copilot in Agent Mode and your personal Azure DevOps instance. It makes essential project data—think work items, pull requests, and test plans—readily accessible for the AI assistant, allowing you to manage your project without skipping a beat in your IDE.

Dan Hellem, Microsoft’s product manager, emphasizes the benefits: 2This lets the assistant give better, more accurate, and more relevant answers tailored to your specific Azure DevOps project. This means fewer distractions and more productive coding!

Security First: Your Data Stays Local

Worried about security? No need! The MCP Server operates locally, ensuring your project data remains securely within your network. It’s installed as a Node.js service and integrates directly with Copilot using a straightforward configuration file and Azure CLI authentication.

Core Features to Enhance Your DevOps Workflow

With this initial version, developers can do so much more! From listing projects to creating and editing work items through simple commands like 2list work items assigned to me, Copilot can efficiently handle tasks while you focus on development. Lyon Till, a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, highlights this innovation: 2No more context switching - manage your entire DevOps workflow without leaving VS Code or Visual Studio.

Getting Started is a Breeze!

Ready to dive in? Simply install the MCP Server from the official GitHub repository, log in using Azure CLI, configure your local mcp.json file, and start the service. Once you're up and running, you can issue commands with ease!

Currently in Preview: Join the Revolution!

Keep in mind that this preview is currently exclusive to Azure DevOps Services and doesn't support on-premises Azure DevOps Server just yet. Microsoft is eager for early adopters to offer feedback and feature suggestions directly via GitHub Issues.

And There's More!

Earlier this year, Microsoft also launched a separate MCP Server for Azure resource queries, enabling developers to use natural language for querying resources like Key Vault and Cosmos DB. The Azure DevOps MCP Server builds on this innovative foundation, making it an exciting time to be a developer!