Install the Power Apps Canvas Apps MCP for GitHub Copilot

Are you looking to get started with this awesome new Power Apps MCP Server for Canvas apps but don’t really have clue one how to install all of this? If yes then below is my instructions written for those of us who are not ninjas when it comes to all of this VS Code stuff.

You will get step by step on how to install everything, VS Code, all of the random weird things, and then how to test it all worked. I have done this process like a dozen times to try to get this down to the easy instructions you have come to expect.

Now, keep in mind that the more weird things you (or more likely IT) has done to your PC, the more likely your journey will vary. Every machine I have done the process has been slightly different but, at the end of the day, you need all of these pieces. Be a trooper, you will get through this.

Also, remember while the Power Apps Canvas MCP is free, you need a GitHub Copilot license to use it in this scenario. You could also use the MCP server with Claude Code or Codex or a dozen other services but one way or another you have to have an LLM coding companion to utilize this.

Finally, these instructions are focused on what you need to get in place to use the MCP server, on Windows via VS Code and GitHub Copilot. There are other ways to use this MCP. This isn't meant to be the be a be all, end all for developing with VS Code and AI, just the pieces you need to get rolling to use it with your Canvas Apps. Enjoy!

PS - The video walkthrough of these instructions are here, probably a lot easier to use Install and Configure Power Apps MCP

Install VS Code via Download

1. Go to this site and download Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Download Visual Studio Code - Mac, Linux, Windows

2. For most people the defaults are going to work well. So do the good ole Next, Next, Finish method.

3. Open VS Code from the Start menu if it isn't already open.

4. Click the Use AI Features

5. Click Continue with GitHub to authenticate

6. Sign in or create an account (reminder you are going to need a paid account to do this).

7. Click the button to Authorize VS Code.

8. Now you can click on the head in the bottom right corner to confirm you have GitHub Copilot running.

   

9. Now close VS Code. We will be back later.

   
   

Install NodeJS

1. Go to this website Node.js — Download Node.js®

2. Download the Windows Installer MSI and run it.

3. Same deal, that Next, Next, Finish is what I did. There are a lot of questions and some optional stuff but, I didn't need it for this to work so I didn't install them.

Install Git for Windows

1. Go to this website Git for Windows

2. Click the big Download button and then run it.

3. Once again use Next, Next, Finish. And honestly? I have no clue what most of those settings are, but the defaults worked so I stuck with them. 😊 Feel free to adjust anything, it is your computer after all.

Install Dot NET 10 SDK

1. Go to this website Download .NET 10.0 (Linux, macOS, and Windows) | .NET

2. Download the Windows SDK and run it.

3. Click Install. There is nothing to choose but it is a slow install.

Install PowerShell 7

1. Go to this website https://aka.ms/PSWindows

2. Click the Get PowerShell 7 button.

3. Click Install PowerShell on Windows

4. Download the MSI Package and run it.

5. You guessed it, click Next, Next, Finish

Install GitHub Copilot CLI

1. Open VS Code

2. From the toolbar click Terminal > New Terminal

3. At the prompt Type: Copilot

4. Install GitHub Copilot CLI when prompted

   

5. Choose Yes when asked if you trust the folder (assuming you do)

6. Type /login at the prompt.

7. Choose your account type.

8. Press the Enter key, this opens a browser, and now walk through the authorization steps.

9. Switch back to VS Code.

Finally, install the Power Apps MCP

1. Still in the Terminal type:

   /plugin marketplace add microsoft/power-platform-skills

2. After you see Added Successfully type:

   /plugin install canvas-apps@power-platform-skills

3. Type Exit to close Copilot.

4. Type Copilot to open it back up.

Test your Hard work

1. Open a browser to make.PowerApps.com and create a blank canvas app.

2. Save it.

3. Settings > Enable Coauthoring. This will automatically save and refresh the app.

   

4. Refresh the browser again, this makes Coauthoring happier.

5. Copy the URL for your App.

6. Return to VS Code.

7. Still in Copilot, in the Terminal, type Configure Canvas MCP

8. Choose Configure Globally when it asks.

9. Paste your canvas app url when asked.

10. Type Exit to close Copilot

11. Type Copilot to open it back up  

12. Type Create a Green welcome screen with a blue button

13. After a while if you get a green screen in Power Apps canvas app with a blue button then you have SUCCESS!

    

Microsoft’s Documentation

If you want their official info on installing and such it is here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/canvas-apps/create-canvas-external-tools Also, their GitHub repository for this MCP server is here: https://github.com/microsoft/power-platform-skills/tree/main/plugins/canvas-apps

Nothing you need but sometimes the official documentation is good to check out also.

Next Steps

Now you are ready to start playing with GitHub Copilot. You can use it to create apps, edit apps, audit apps, and probably more. And while I think creating apps, especially with data sources (even SharePoint) is interesting the real value is review. Having the agent look for bugs and make recommendations in your existing apps. Having a second set of eyes just can't be overappreciated.

If you want to see the Power Apps Canvas MCP server in action for creating and auditing apps check out this video: Build Canvas Apps in VS Code with AI (NEW Power Apps Tool)

Or if you are looking for help with what you should and shouldn't be doing with AI and Power Apps then we can help. Just hit the Contact button and let us know. We are happy to help with anything from a quick call to taking on your full project.