Context Profiles

Give your AI assistant instant understanding of your project

What are Context Profiles?

Context Profiles are a powerful feature that allows you to provide project-specific context to your AI assistant automatically. Instead of repeatedly explaining your project structure, coding standards, or API documentation in every conversation, you can create reusable context profiles that are automatically available to your AI assistant.

Think of Context Profiles as a knowledge base for your AI assistant. When you link a Context Profile to a workspace, your AI assistant instantly understands your project's conventions, architecture, and best practices - without you having to explain them every time.

Why Use Context Profiles?

  • Save Time: Stop repeating the same context in every your AI assistant conversation
  • Consistency: Ensure your AI assistant always follows your project's standards and conventions
  • Better Results: your AI assistant with proper context provides more accurate and relevant suggestions
  • Team Collaboration: Share context profiles across your team for consistent your AI assistant assistance
  • Instant Understanding: Automatically available in every your AI assistant conversation via the .orbitalmcp/context.md file

How Context Profiles Work

When you link a Context Profile to a VS Code workspace, OrbitalMCP automatically makes that context available to your AI assistant in two ways:

  1. Workspace Context File: A .orbitalmcp/context.md file is generated in your workspace containing all context profile information. your AI assistant automatically reads this file at the start of every conversation, giving it instant understanding of your project.
  2. MCP Tools: Context profiles are accessible via MCP tools, allowing your AI assistant to query specific details from your project context during the conversation.

Creating a Context Profile

Step 1: Access the Dashboard

Navigate to your OrbitalMCP Dashboard and click on the Context Profiles tab.

Step 2: Create New Profile

Click the Create New Context Profile button. You'll be prompted to:

  • Name: Give your profile a descriptive name (e.g., "My Project Standards")
  • Description: Optional description to help you remember what this profile contains

Step 3: Add Context Items

Context Profiles support three types of items:

📝 Text Items

Add plain text context like coding standards, project guidelines, or instructions. Perfect for rules, conventions, and general information.

Example: "Always use TypeScript strict mode. Follow ESLint rules. Use async/await instead of promises."

🔗 URL Items

Reference external documentation, API specs, or web resources. The AI agent can fetch and read content from these URLs when needed.

Example: "https://docs.myapi.com/v2/reference" - Your internal API documentation

📄 File Items

Upload files like README.md, architecture diagrams, or configuration examples. Files are stored securely and made available to AI agents.

Example: Upload your project's README.md or a database schema diagram

Step 4: Save Your Profile

Click Save to create your Context Profile. You can edit or delete it anytime from the dashboard.

Linking a Context Profile to Your Workspace

Once you've created a Context Profile, you need to link it to a VS Code workspace:

Method 1: From VS Code Extension

  1. Open your project in VS Code
  2. Open the OrbitalMCP sidebar (click the OrbitalMCP icon in the activity bar)
  3. Look for the Context Profiles section
  4. Click the Link Context Profile button
  5. Select the profile you want to link from the dropdown
  6. Confirm the selection

Method 2: From the Dashboard

  1. Go to your OrbitalMCP Dashboard
  2. Navigate to the Context Profiles tab
  3. Click on the profile you want to link
  4. Copy the profile ID from the URL or profile details
  5. In VS Code, open your workspace settings (File → Preferences → Settings → Workspace)
  6. Search for "orbitalmcp"
  7. Set the orbitalmcpConnector.contextProfileId setting to your profile ID

💡 Pro Tip

When you first install the OrbitalMCP extension, you'll see a notification asking if you want to link a Context Profile. This is the easiest way to get started!

Using Context Profiles with your AI assistant

Automatic Context Loading

Once you link a Context Profile to your workspace, your AI assistant automatically has access to your context in every conversation. No special commands needed - just start coding!

How should I structure my API endpoints?

your AI assistant will respond based on your project's context, coding standards, and guidelines - automatically.

Context File Location

The .orbitalmcp/context.md file is generated in your workspace root when you link a Context Profile. your AI assistant reads this file at the start of each conversation, giving it instant understanding of:

  • Your project's coding standards and conventions
  • Architecture and design patterns you follow
  • API documentation and external resources
  • Team-specific guidelines and best practices
  • Any custom instructions you've defined

Context Updates

When you update a Context Profile on the OrbitalMCP dashboard, the .orbitalmcp/context.md file is automatically refreshed in your workspace. You can also manually refresh using the OrbitalMCP: Refresh Workspace Context command.

Best Practices

  • Be Specific: Include concrete examples and clear guidelines rather than vague instructions
  • Keep It Updated: Regularly update your Context Profiles as your project evolves
  • Organize by Project: Create separate profiles for different projects or project types
  • Include Architecture: Add system architecture diagrams or descriptions to help AI understand your project structure
  • Document Conventions: Include naming conventions, file organization, and code style preferences
  • Reference Documentation: Use URL items to link to your API docs, internal wikis, or external resources
  • Test Your Context: After creating a profile, test it by asking your AI assistant questions about your project to verify it's using your context correctly

Tier Limits

Context Profile limits vary by subscription tier:

  • Free Tier: 3 Context Profiles, 10 items per profile
  • Pro Tier: 25 Context Profiles, 50 items per profile
  • Enterprise: Unlimited profiles and items (coming soon)

Upgrade to Pro to create more profiles and add more context items.

Example Use Cases

1. Coding Standards Profile

Create a profile with:

  • Text item: Your team's coding standards and conventions
  • File item: Your .eslintrc or prettier config
  • URL item: Link to your team's style guide

2. API Documentation Profile

Create a profile with:

  • Text item: Overview of your API architecture
  • URL item: Link to your OpenAPI/Swagger documentation
  • File item: Example API request/response payloads

3. Project Architecture Profile

Create a profile with:

  • Text item: High-level architecture description
  • File item: Architecture diagram (PNG/SVG)
  • Text item: Database schema and relationships
  • URL item: Link to your technical documentation

Troubleshooting

Context Profile Not Appearing in AI Chat

Make sure you've linked the profile to your workspace. Check the OrbitalMCP sidebar in VS Code to verify the link status.

Context File Not Generated

The .orbitalmcp/context.md file is generated when you link a profile. Try running the command OrbitalMCP: Refresh Workspace Context from the VS Code command palette.

your AI assistant Not Using Context

If your AI assistant doesn't seem to be using your context, verify that the .orbitalmcp/context.md file exists in your workspace root. You can also try restarting your AI assistant or explicitly asking: "What context do you have about this project?"

Profile Changes Not Reflected

After editing a Context Profile in the dashboard, refresh your workspace context in VS Code using the OrbitalMCP: Refresh Workspace Context command.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance with Context Profiles:

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