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mcp-server-time fails to start: Python not found (Error Code 9009) on WSL + Ubuntu + virtualenv #251896

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@ManzarIMalik

Description

@ManzarIMalik

Type: Bug

I am encountering an issue where the mcp-server-time fails to start in VS Code. It appears to be related to Python not being found. Below are the relevant logs:

2025-06-19 13:09:31.013 [info] Starting server mcp-server-time  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.013 [info] Connection state: Starting  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.015 [info] Starting server from LocalProcess extension host  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.163 [info] Connection state: Starting  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.166 [info] Connection state: Running  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.243 [warning] [server stderr] Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases.  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.247 [info] Connection state: Error Process exited with code 9009  
2025-06-19 13:09:31.247 [error] Server exited before responding to `initialize` request.  
2025-06-19 13:14:30.830 [info] Stopping server mcp-server-time

When I try to start mcp_server_time in settings.json from following, it throws error.

    "mcp": {
        "inputs": [],
        "servers": {
            "mcp-server-time": {
                "command": "python3",
                "args": [
                    "-m",
                    "mcp_server_time",
                    "--local-timezone=America/Los_Angeles"
                ],
                "env": {}
            }
        }
    }

OS: Ubuntu (running in WSL)
Python: Installed inside a virtualenv
Virtual Environment: Activated properly in VS Code terminal
Process Argv: --folder-uri=vscode-remote://wsl+Ubuntu-22.04/home/linux/project/app--remote=wsl+Ubuntu-22.04

VS Code version: Code 1.101.0 (dfaf441, 2025-06-11T15:00:50.123Z)
OS version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
Modes:
Remote OS version: Linux x64 6.6.87.2-microsoft-standard-WSL2

Extensions (29)
Extension Author (truncated) Version
codespaces Git 1.17.3
remotehub Git 0.65.2024112101
jupyter-keymap ms- 1.1.2
remote-containers ms- 0.417.0
remote-wsl ms- 0.99.0
azure-repos ms- 0.40.0
remote-repositories ms- 0.42.0
vscode-tailwindcss bra 0.14.22
vscode-eslint dba 3.0.10
prettier-vscode esb 11.0.0
copilot Git 1.335.0
copilot-chat Git 0.28.0
vscode-pull-request-github Git 0.110.0
vscode-containers ms- 2.0.3
vscode-docker ms- 2.0.0
vscode-pgsql ms- 1.4.2
debugpy ms- 2025.8.0
python ms- 2025.8.0
vscode-pylance ms- 2025.6.1
jupyter ms- 2025.5.0
jupyter-keymap ms- 1.1.2
jupyter-renderers ms- 1.1.0
tensorboard ms- 2023.10.1002992421
vscode-jupyter-cell-tags ms- 0.1.9
vscode-jupyter-slideshow ms- 0.1.6
makefile-tools ms- 0.12.17
vscode-copilot-vision ms- 0.1.1
vscode-websearchforcopilot ms- 0.1.2
vs-code-prettier-eslint rve 6.0.0

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