Bring Federal Regulations
to VS Code Copilot
Learn how to connect Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) to VS Code Copilot and start using 6 AI agent tools in minutes. Fully managed, enterprise secure, and ready to use without writing a single line of code.
GDPR Free for SubscribersCompatible with every major AI agent and IDE
Gemini
What is the Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) MCP Server?
Connect your AI agent to the Regulations.gov database to navigate the US federal rulemaking process with ease. This server provides direct access to the eRulemaking Program, allowing you to monitor legislative changes and public discourse across hundreds of federal agencies.
What you can do
- Document Search — Find rules, proposed rules, and notices using keywords, agency IDs, or specific posting dates.
- Public Comments — Retrieve and analyze public feedback submitted to federal agencies to understand community sentiment on specific regulations.
- Docket Tracking — Access complete docket folders containing all supporting materials and related documents for specific rulemaking actions.
- Deep Metadata — Fetch detailed information about document types, comment periods, and modification histories to stay ahead of regulatory deadlines.
How it works
- Subscribe to this server
- Enter your Regulations.gov API Key
- Start querying federal data from Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client
Stay informed about government transparency and regulatory updates without manually browsing complex government portals. Your AI acts as a specialized regulatory analyst.
Built-in capabilities (6)
Get details for a specific comment
Get details for a specific docket
Get details for a specific document
Search public comments
Search dockets
Search for documents (rules, notices, etc.)
Why VS Code Copilot?
GitHub Copilot Agent mode brings Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) data directly into your VS Code workflow. With a project-scoped config, the entire team shares access to 6 tools. Copilot queries live data, generates typed code, and writes tests from actual API responses, all without leaving the editor.
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VS Code is used by over 70% of developers. adding MCP tools to Copilot means your team can leverage external data without leaving their primary editor
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Project-scoped MCP configs (
.vscode/mcp.json) let you commit server configurations to your repository, ensuring the entire team shares the same tool access - —
Copilot's Agent mode integrates MCP tools seamlessly with file editing, terminal commands, and workspace search in a single agentic loop
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GitHub's enterprise compliance and audit features extend to MCP tool usage, providing visibility into how AI interacts with external services
Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) in VS Code Copilot
Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) and 4,000+ other MCP servers. One platform. One governance layer.
Teams that connect Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) to VS Code Copilot through Vinkius don't need to source, host, or maintain individual MCP servers. Every tool call runs inside a hardened runtime with credential isolation, DLP, and a signed audit chain.
Raw MCP | Vinkius | |
|---|---|---|
| Server catalog | Find and host yourself | 4,000+ managed |
| Infrastructure | Self-hosted | Sandboxed V8 isolates |
| Credential handling | Plaintext in config | Vault + runtime injection |
| Data loss prevention | None | Configurable DLP policies |
| Kill switch | None | Global instant shutdown |
| Financial circuit breakers | None | Per-server limits + alerts |
| Audit trail | None | Ed25519 signed logs |
| SIEM log streaming | None | Splunk, Datadog, Webhook |
| Honeytokens | None | Canary alerts on leak |
| Custom domains | Not applicable | DNS challenge verified |
| GDPR compliance | Manual effort | Automated purge + export |
Why teams choose Vinkius for Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) in VS Code Copilot
The Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) MCP Server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS — a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts. All 6 tools execute in hardened sandboxes optimized for native MCP execution.
Your AI agents in VS Code Copilot only access the data you authorize, with DLP that blocks sensitive information from ever reaching the model, kill switch for instant shutdown, and up to 60% token savings. Enterprise-grade infrastructure, zero maintenance.
* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure
How Vinkius secures
Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) for VS Code Copilot
Every tool call from VS Code Copilot to the Regulations.gov (eRulemaking) MCP Server is protected by DLP redaction, cryptographic audit chains, V8 sandbox isolation, kill switch, and financial circuit breakers.
Frequently asked questions
How can I filter documents by a specific government agency?
Use the search_documents tool and provide the agencyId parameter (e.g., 'EPA', 'FAA', or 'CMS'). This will restrict the results to materials published only by that specific agency.
Is it possible to see what the public is saying about a specific rule?
Yes! Use the search_comments tool with the commentOnId parameter set to the unique Document ID. You can then use get_comment with a specific Comment ID to read the full text of any submission.
How do I get the complete history of a specific rulemaking folder?
Use the get_docket tool with the specific Docket ID. This retrieves the primary metadata for the docket, while search_documents with the same docket ID can list all associated rules and supporting materials.
Which VS Code version supports MCP?
MCP support requires VS Code 1.99 or later with the GitHub Copilot extension. Ensure both are updated to the latest version. Older versions of Copilot may not expose the Agent mode toggle.
How do I switch to Agent mode?
Open the Copilot Chat panel and look for two mode options: "Ask" and "Agent". Click "Agent" to enable autonomous tool calling. In Ask mode, Copilot provides conversational answers but cannot invoke MCP tools.
Can I restrict which MCP tools Copilot can access?
Yes. VS Code shows a tool consent dialog before any MCP tool is invoked for the first time. You can also configure tool access policies at the organization level through GitHub Copilot settings.
Does MCP work in VS Code Remote or Codespaces?
Yes. MCP servers configured via .vscode/mcp.json work in Remote SSH, WSL, and GitHub Codespaces environments. The MCP connection is established from the remote host, so ensure the server URL is accessible from that environment.
MCP tools not available
Ensure you are in Agent mode in Copilot Chat. MCP tools only appear in Agent mode.
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