MCP Server Errors When No Folder/Project is Open

[cholick]

Describe the bug

I was testing the MCP server and didn't have any project open (just File -> New Window in VSCode)

Once I opened a directory, though, it started working and prompts me for a token. To double check this was consistent, I quit Code and tried again (new Window, no open folder) and get the same error.

Affected version

Please run docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server ./github-mcp-server --version and paste the output below

server version v0.1.1 (7ab5d968e065f13a660cd123c2c5d0be6d8b6dbd) 2025-04-07T16:05:06Z

Steps to reproduce the behavior

1. Click File -> New Window in VS Code.
2. Try to run the MCP server manually from settings.json or click the Refresh in the agent window
3. Get the above error, rather than the token prompt

Expected vs actual behavior

Either the token prompt outside the context of an open folder, or a notification that that agent MCP server cannot function outside the context of an open folder.

Logs

[aryasoni98]

Hi @cholick, I’d love to work on this issue. Let me know if it’s available or if there are any guidelines I should follow before getting started. Thanks!