Installing the MCP Server extension is quick and allows you to immediately begin interacting with RASON models through an AI-assisted workflow.

  1. Start by installing the extension from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace. Open the Extensions view in Visual Studio Code and search for RASON MCP Server. Once installed, the extension integrates directly into your development environment.
  2. After installation, open Copilot Chat within Visual Studio Code. You can begin asking questions right away. No account is required to explore example models, generate templates, or analyze model structures.
  3. To solve models or manage them in the cloud, connect your RASON account by setting your authentication token through the Command Palette using RASON: Set Auth Token. Once connected, you gain access to cloud solving capabilities and full model management features.

RASON tokens can be obtained from www.RASON.com. In the top right corner, open User Account, click View Account, then select API Tokens > Basic API Token.

This flexible setup allows users to begin exploring and building models without friction, while still providing a seamless path to more advanced capabilities when needed.

Works Without a RASON Account

One of the key advantages of the MCP Server is that many of its core features are available without requiring a RASON account. Users can explore the example model library, generate new models from templates, and analyze model structures immediately after installing the extension.

This makes it easy to learn the platform, experiment with different modeling approaches, and build initial solutions without any setup barriers. Users can understand how models are constructed and how they behave before committing to cloud-based execution.

A RASON account is only required when you are ready to take the next step: solving models or managing them in the cloud. At that point, connecting your account unlocks the full capabilities of the platform, including asynchronous solving, diagnostics, and version management.

This approach ensures a smooth onboarding experience while still supporting advanced, production-level workflows when needed.