MCP server unavailable is reported as "waiting on ide" and hangs copilot-cli
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Description
Describe the bug
If you have an entry like this in your ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json
"dummy": {
"tools": [
"*"
],
"type": "http",
"url": "http://bextop17:4000/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer token"
}
}
And the host is unavailable (it is in DNS but the system as a whole is unreachable) then copilot will hang on startup eventually showing the message "waiting on ide." IDE is not in use.
Important: using a non-existent dns name will NOT recreate this error. The host must be defined in DNS and not available. Using an existing host with a down service (system up, but port not) will NOT recreate this. My tests were confirmed by unplugging a system next to me's ethernet cable.
Affected version
GitHub Copilot CLI 1.0.81-6
Steps to reproduce the behavior
- Define an mcp server for a system that has a valid dns name but is not on the network
- start copilot cli
- see error
Expected behavior
The cli should report the correct error message and not hang on a missing mcp server.
Additional context
This is on MacOS 15.7.7 (24G720) connecting to an mcp server on my local network which I had unplugged from the network for $reasons. This left the name in DNS but the system unavailable.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the CLI startup path that connects to configured MCP servers, then reproduce the issue using a DNS-resolvable host that is unreachable on the network. Done means the CLI reports the MCP connection failure accurately and continues without hanging or incorrectly showing "waiting on ide."
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- macos
- Domain
- cli, networking
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 58/100