How to Set Up Laravel Boost MCP with GitHub Copilot in VS Code: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The Problem: Copilot Without Project Context

Modern AI tools like GitHub Copilot are powerful, but when working with a large Laravel codebase, Copilot often lacks project awareness. It may generate:

• Generic answers
• Incorrect routes
• Outdated Laravel syntax
• Hallucinated code

The Solution: Laravel Boost MCP

Laravel Boost solves this problem using MCP (Model Context Protocol) by giving AI tools direct access to your real Laravel project context-routes, models, migrations, configs, Filament resources, and more.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to set up Laravel Boost MCP with GitHub Copilot in VS Code, using the official and correct workflow, including common Windows issues and fixes.

What You'll Achieve After This Setup

After completing this guide:

• GitHub Copilot understands your actual Laravel project
• AI responses are framework-accurate
• Copilot can reason about routes, models, migrations, Filament resources, and Laravel version
• No more hallucinated code

Requirements

• Laravel project (Laravel 10+ recommended)
• PHP & Composer installed
• VS Code
• GitHub Copilot enabled in VS Code

Step 1: Install Laravel Boost

Open your Laravel project directory and run:

composer require laravel/boost --dev

This installs Laravel Boost as a development dependency.

Screenshot: Composer installing laravel/boost

Step 2: Run Laravel Boost Installer

After installation, run:

php artisan boost:install

This starts an interactive setup wizard.

Screenshot: Laravel Boost install welcome screen

Step 3: Choose Third-Party AI Guidelines (Important)

You'll see this prompt:

Which third-party AI guidelines do you want to install?

Options may include:

• None
• filament/filament

What to choose?

• Using Filament Admin Panel? → Select filament/filament
• API / backend only? → Choose None

WARNING - Windows PowerShell Tip: Arrow keys may not work in the terminal. In that case, type the full value exactly:

filament/filament

Screenshot: Third-party AI guidelines selection

Step 4: Select Code Editor (VS Code)

Next prompt:

Which code editors do you use to work on this project?

Leave the default:

VS Code

Just press Enter.

Screenshot: Code editor selection (VS Code)

Step 5: Select AI Agent (GitHub Copilot)

You'll then see:

Which agents need AI guidelines?

Choose:

GitHub Copilot

This ensures Copilot receives Laravel-specific context.

Screenshot: GitHub Copilot selection

Step 6: Installation Completes

At this point, Boost will:

• Install MCP configuration
• Register Laravel tools
• Configure VS Code MCP server

You should see a success message like:

VS Code... ✓ Boost
Enjoy the boost 🚀

Screenshot: Boost installation success screen

Step 7: Start MCP Server (OFFICIAL METHOD)

IMPORTANT - Do NOT run:

• [DO NOT] php artisan boost:serve
• [DO NOT] php artisan boost:mcp

For VS Code, the official method is IDE-managed MCP.

Do this instead:

1. Open VS Code
2. Press: Ctrl + Shift + P
3. Run: MCP: List Servers

Screenshot: MCP: List Servers command

Step 8: Select Laravel Boost MCP Server

You'll see something like:

laravel-boost   Stopped

Select laravel-boost.

Screenshot: MCP server list (laravel-boost stopped)

Step 9: Start the Server

After selecting laravel-boost, choose:

Start Server

VS Code will now start the MCP server internally.

Screenshot: Start Server action

Step 10: Confirm MCP Is Running

Once started, you'll see logs like:

Starting server laravel-boost
Connection state: Running
Discovered 15 tools

This confirms:

• MCP server is running
• Laravel tools are detected
• Copilot is connected

Screenshot: MCP server running (Discovered tools)

Step 11: Verify in GitHub Copilot Chat

Open GitHub Copilot Chat and type:

@laravel list tools

If tools appear, your setup is complete.

Screenshot: Copilot showing Laravel tools

How to Use Laravel Boost with Copilot (Examples)

Try prompts like:

• Explain this Laravel project structure
• Which routes use auth middleware?
• Create a Filament resource for the User model
• Refactor this controller using services

Copilot now uses real project context, not guesses.

Common Issues & Fixes

Arrow keys don't work in terminal

Solution:

• Type full option name
• Or press Enter on defaults

boost:serve command not found

Solution:

• Expected behavior
• VS Code manages MCP internally

Server shows "Stopped"

Solution:

• Use MCP: List Servers → Start Server

Final Thoughts

Laravel Boost + MCP transforms GitHub Copilot from a generic autocomplete tool into a Laravel-aware AI assistant.

If you work on:

• Large Laravel projects
• Filament admin panels
• APIs with complex routing

This setup is absolutely worth it.

Resources

• Laravel Boost Documentation
• Model Context Protocol (MCP)
• GitHub Copilot in VS Code
• Filament Admin Panel

Have questions about setting up Laravel Boost? Share them in the comments below!