Axiom Refract + Visual Studio Code
Access Axiom Refract's architectural intelligence from within VS Code through MCP-compatible extensions
How It Works
Install an MCP-Compatible Extension
Install a VS Code extension that supports MCP server connections — such as the Claude Code extension, Cline, or Continue. These extensions allow VS Code to connect to MCP servers.
Configure the MCP Server
In the extension's settings, add the Axiom Refract MCP server endpoint. The configuration follows the standard MCP JSON format.
Reload VS Code
Reload the VS Code window to initialize the MCP connection through the extension.
Query from the Editor
Use the extension's chat or command interface to query architectural data. Ask about blast radius, SPOFs, dependency graphs, and compliance mappings directly from your editor.
What You Can Do
In-Editor Architecture Queries
Query the architectural record without leaving VS Code. Ask about any file's centrality, blast radius, or SPOF status while editing.
Extension Ecosystem Compatibility
Works with any VS Code extension that implements MCP client support — Claude Code extension, Cline, Continue, and future MCP-compatible tools.
Workspace-Level Configuration
Configure MCP server access at the workspace level via .vscode/settings.json or project-level .mcp.json, ensuring team members share the same architectural intelligence configuration.
Multi-Root Workspace Support
In multi-root workspaces, Axiom can analyze each root repository independently and show cross-repository architectural relationships.
Setup
Install an MCP-compatible extension from the VS Code marketplace (Claude Code, Cline, or Continue are recommended). Add the Axiom Refract MCP server configuration to the extension's settings or to your project-level .mcp.json file. Reload VS Code. The extension will connect to Axiom's MCP server and make the 16 architectural governance tools available in the chat interface.
// .vscode/settings.json (for Claude Code extension)
{
"claude.mcpServers": {
"axiom-refract": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://axiomrefract.com/mcp"
}
}
}
// Or project-level .mcp.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"axiom-refract": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://axiomrefract.com/mcp"
}
}
}Why This Matters
VS Code is the most widely used code editor in the world. By connecting Axiom Refract through MCP-compatible extensions, developers can access architectural intelligence directly in their editing workflow — checking blast radius before making changes, verifying SPOF status during code review, and querying dependency graphs without context switching.