Purpose: This guide sets up a Windows machine for Pega development in VS Code, including Git, Java, Node/NPM, GitHub Copilot, and the Pega Infinity Authoring or MCP connection workflow.
Software You Need
Step-by-Step Installation
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
Use Windows PowerShell or Windows Terminal. Running as administrator helps Winget install system-wide tools cleanly.
Step 2: Confirm Winget is available
Winget is the Windows Package Manager. Most modern Windows 10/11 machines include it.
winget --version
Step 3: Install Visual Studio Code
Install VS Code and then restart PowerShell so the code command is available on PATH.
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
code --version
Step 4: Install Git
Install Git and verify that the version is available from PowerShell.
winget install Git.Git
git --version
Step 5: Install Java 17
Install the Temurin JDK 17 distribution and confirm Java is available.
winget install EclipseAdoptium.Temurin.17.JDK
java -version
Step 6: Install Node.js LTS and verify NPM
Node.js includes NPM. This is needed for Constellation DX Component development and React-based tooling.
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
node --version
npm --version
Step 7: Install GitHub Copilot in VS Code (might need authorization)
Pega employees: Sailpoint request for role: GitHub Enterprise - Copilot
Install Copilot and Copilot Chat from the command line. Then open VS Code and sign in with GitHub.
code --install-extension GitHub.copilot
code --install-extension GitHub.copilot-chat
code
Step 8: Clone the Pega MCP repository, if using local Agentic Authoring
Pega Employees: Sailpoint request for role: Github-Pega-GenAIEngineering-GenAI-Read **
**
Use this when your setup requires a local Infinity Rules MCP repository.
git clone https://github.com/Pega-EngineeringSandbox/infinity-rules-mcp.git
cd infinity-rules-mcp
code .
Step 9: Install the Pega Infinity Authoring plugin, if using Copilot plugin marketplace
Optional: Create a separate folder on your local drive, set it as the workspace folder in VSCode.
Use these commands when the Copilot CLI/plugin marketplace is available in your environment.
copilot plugin marketplace add GitHub - pegasystems/infinity-ai-plugins: infinity-ai-plugins · GitHub
copilot plugin install pega-infinity-authoring@Pega
Step 10: Configure the Pega connection in VS Code
After the plugin is installed, start a new session and ask the assistant to run pega-setup.
In VS Code, open Command Palette with Ctrl + Shift + P and run: Pega Infinity Authoring: Configure Connection. Enter the Pega base URL, OAuth client ID if required, and whether write operations should be enabled.
Note: When you try to connect to the instance of your choice you should see a browser pop asking you to login. Once logged in VSCode should be able to connect to your instance via MCP.
Step 11: Create or update the MCP configuration file
For VS Code-based MCP setup, create this file under your project folder: .vscode\mcp.json. Paste the MCP server JSON provided by your Pega environment or MCP Service rule.
OR ask the agent to create one for you.
Step 12: Start the MCP server and authenticate
Start the server from the VS Code extension or from the Start action above the MCP server entry. When the browser opens, authenticate with your Pega credentials.
Validation Commands
Run these checks after installation. If a command is not recognized, restart PowerShell or reboot Windows and try again.
code --version
git --version
java -version
node --version
npm --version
Connectivity Test Prompts
After the MCP server is started and authentication is complete, open a new Copilot Chat session in VS Code and try one of these prompts:
Check my Pega connection
Get details of my application
Quick Troubleshooting
Notes and Assumptions
· Use PowerShell as Administrator for Winget installs.
· Use Java 17 or later for Infinity Build / MCP server components.
· Use Node.js LTS when building Constellation DX Components or working with React-based UI assets.
· The exact MCP JSON depends on your target Pega environment, application, and OAuth configuration.