How do I add a server id in azure api center to allow a local mcp server in vscode with Github Copilot?

Question

How do I add a server id in azure api center to allow a local mcp server in vscode with Github Copilot?

Shimanek, Brandon 0

Hello,

I have an azure api center as my mcp registry url, I have added it to my Org's Github Copilot Policy Mcp section with registry only set. The url does not include things like workspace/default/v0.1 and the like, I am following the github docs on this.

I want to add a server id, for example github-mcp-server, such that if I have a local mcp server installed with the same server id in my VsCode it would be runnable. I have added the github-mcp-server mcp api with "https://placeholder.com" as the url, again I only want local no remote mcp servers allowed, but it shows as disabled.

What do I need to do in my azure api management center to allow this? Am I doing something wrong?

Shimanek, Brandon 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T20:42:48.35+00:00

It shows in vs code with This MCP Server is disabled because it is configured to be disabled in the Editor. The server id matches what I placed in the registry, I am trying to create an allowlist like whats mentioned in https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/mcp-allowlist-enforcement.
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-23T21:10:05.2333333+00:00
Hi Shimanek, Brandon,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Have you tried configuring MCP allow list https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-mcp-usage/configure-mcp-server-access#configuring-the-mcp-allowlist-policy-for-an-enterprise?

In the Restrict MCP access to registry servers section, select the dropdown menu, then click one of the following options:

Allow all: No restrictions. All MCP servers can be used.

Registry only: Only servers from the registry may run.
Shimanek, Brandon 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T21:11:32.1533333+00:00

I have selected registry only. The issue when adding an api in the api management center, when selecting mcp it requires a url. I though for local mcp it would ignore the url and just match on the server id.
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-24T01:31:18.7333333+00:00

In the file, select Authentication Required from the CodeLens that appears to authenticate to the server through a GitHub account. Select Authenticate on the pop-up dialog to authenticate with your GitHub account. Refer Use MCP Servers - Visual Studio (Windows) | Microsoft Learn .

Could you please confirm if the GitHub account is authenticated with APIM api center url?
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-24T20:04:45.57+00:00

Shimanek, Brandon, following up to see if you had a chance to check the above response and if it was helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

1 answer

Your answer

Shimanek, Brandon 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T20:42:48.35+00:00

It shows in vs code with This MCP Server is disabled because it is configured to be disabled in the Editor. The server id matches what I placed in the registry, I am trying to create an allowlist like whats mentioned in https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/mcp-allowlist-enforcement.
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-23T21:10:05.2333333+00:00

Hi Shimanek, Brandon,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Have you tried configuring MCP allow list https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-mcp-usage/configure-mcp-server-access#configuring-the-mcp-allowlist-policy-for-an-enterprise?

In the Restrict MCP access to registry servers section, select the dropdown menu, then click one of the following options:

Allow all: No restrictions. All MCP servers can be used.

Registry only: Only servers from the registry may run.
Shimanek, Brandon 0 Reputation points

2025-12-23T21:11:32.1533333+00:00

I have selected registry only. The issue when adding an api in the api management center, when selecting mcp it requires a url. I though for local mcp it would ignore the url and just match on the server id.
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-24T01:31:18.7333333+00:00

In the file, select Authentication Required from the CodeLens that appears to authenticate to the server through a GitHub account. Select Authenticate on the pop-up dialog to authenticate with your GitHub account. Refer Use MCP Servers - Visual Studio (Windows) | Microsoft Learn .

Could you please confirm if the GitHub account is authenticated with APIM api center url?
Pravallika KV 18,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-24T20:04:45.57+00:00

Shimanek, Brandon, following up to see if you had a chance to check the above response and if it was helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 1

Shimanek, Brandon 0

The description field when adding an api, even though it shows not as required, must be filled. Or it wont show in vscode.

22478755 0 Reputation points

2026-01-20T19:29:14.4466667+00:00

Did you figure out where to add the server id for local mcps?