A pixel dog that writes songs: lessons from my first MCP server with GitHub Copilot
In this GitHub Universe 2026 session, independent product builder Yunika Liu presents Coco as a companion for solo coding sessions. She walks through the project’s implementation and the lessons from building her first Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.
From pixel art to a coding companion
Coco is a pixel-art golden retriever that lives in a desktop window and on an LED display, offering encouragement while its owner builds software. The project pairs a playful interface with a practical exploration of how AI coding agents can interact with applications and custom hardware.
Liu built the project in one week using GitHub Copilot and MCP support. Her custom server brings together:
- WebSocket synchronization for the desktop and LED-display experience.
- Animation triggers for Coco’s visual responses.
- Music composition, explored through Coco’s songwriting and “DJ Coco” segments.
- Connections between AI coding agents and custom hardware.
Session chapters
The session moves from Coco’s inspiration and pixel-art design into its music features, server implementation, and hardware upgrades. It closes with Liu’s lessons from her first MCP server and reflections on work-life balance and small joys.