Getting Started With MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant
Downloading and Installing the MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant Extension
Before you begin, ensure you have downloaded Microsoft® Visual Studio® Code (VS Code®). If needed, you can download it here.
Download the MPLAB Extension pack from the VS Code Marketplace page for MPLAB Extensions. The MPLAB AI Coding Assistant is included in this extension pack.
Applying the API Key
Microchip will provide free access to Large Language Models (LLM) - the Microchip Chatbot.
Log into myMicrochip and obtain your Application Programming Interface (API) key.
| If you are not signed in | If you are signed in |
| Sign in with your myMicrochip login credentials | You will not be asked to sign in again |
A Terms and Conditions window will appear. Select I Agree.
Select Copy Access Key underneath the unique key that has been generated for you.
Go back to VS Code and paste the key under API key, then click Connect.
You have now successfully installed the plugin. The chatbot will by default appear to the left and a quick tutorial on getting started will appear at the top.
To begin communicating with the chatbot type in "Hello".
Enabling/Disabling Autocomplete
On the bottom leftmost corner of the window, you should see the Autocomplete icon.
Enable or disable the feature by clicking on the Autocomplete icon and making the selection you want.
Common Features
Agent
Allows you to automate actions using inbuilt filesystem and Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools.
MCP Server
Provides tools to list example projects and evaluation boards supported for a given device, as well as:
- Datasheets
- Evaluation board user guides
- Compiler user guides
- Microchip Developer Help videos
MCP Configuration:
json format
"mcpServers": {
"mplab-docs": {
"type": "streamable-http",
"url": "https://ai.microchip.com/tools/mplabdocs/mcp",
"headers": {
"api-key": "your api key"
}
}
}
}
Autocomplete
Receive inline code suggestions as you type. Click TAB to accept the suggestion.
Chat
Ask Microchip-specific questions as you code from the sidebar without leaving the editor. Use CTRL+L to copy code into the chat window.
Folder
@folder
Query a specific folder. Before using this command, ensure that codebase indexing is complete.
Inline Edit
Use inline suggestions within code by using CTRL+I.
Terminal
@terminal
Fix errors reported in the terminal.
Codebase
@codebase
Query the entire codebase. Before using this command, ensure that codebase indexing is complete.
Troubleshooting
Contact Microchip Technical Support for assistance.