Create and use tool sets

A tool set is a reusable collection of agent tools that you can reference as a single entity. Use tool sets to organize related tools and make them easier to select in prompts, prompt files, and custom agents.

VS Code also provides predefined tool sets, such as #edit and #search.

Create a tool set

To create a tool set:

Run Chat: Configure Tool Sets from the Command Palette and select Create new tool sets file.

Alternatively, select the ellipsis (...) menu in the Chat view, select Tool Sets, and then select Create new tool sets file.
Define your tool set in the .jsonc file that opens.

The following example creates a tool set named reader:
```
{
  "reader": {
    "tools": ["search/changes", "search/codebase", "read/problems", "search/usages"],
    "description": "Tools for reading and gathering context",
    "icon": "book"
  }
}
```
A tool set has the following properties:
- tools: array of built-in, MCP, or extension tool names.
- description: brief description displayed in the tools picker.
- icon: icon for the tool set. See the Product Icon Reference.

Use a tool set

Reference a tool set in a prompt by typing # followed by its name:

Analyze the codebase for security issues #reader

In the tools picker, tool sets appear as collapsible groups. Select or deselect a tool set to change the availability of all its tools at once.

You can also reference tool sets in prompt files and custom agents.

Related resources

7/29/2026