microsoft / microsoft/azure-tools-for-java

[IntelliJ] azmcp process continues running after Azure Toolkit plugin is disabled

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Description

Summary

The azmcp MCP server process continues running in the background after the Azure Toolkit for IntelliJ plugin has been disabled, consuming significant system resources.

Environment

  • IntelliJ build version: 2025.2
  • OS: macOS (Darwin)
  • Plugin version: azure-toolkit-for-intellij (azmcp_package_0.5.8)
  • azmcp path: ~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2025.2/plugins/azure-toolkit-for-intellij/azmcp/azmcp_package_0.5.8/package/dist/azmcp

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Install Azure Toolkit for IntelliJ plugin
  2. Use IntelliJ normally (azmcp process starts)
  3. Disable the Azure Toolkit plugin via IntelliJ Preferences > Plugins
  4. Restart IntelliJ or quit the application
  5. Observe that the azmcp server start process continues running

Expected Behavior

When the Azure Toolkit plugin is disabled, all associated processes (including azmcp) should be terminated.

Actual Behavior

The azmcp process continues running indefinitely after the plugin is disabled, consuming:

  • CPU: 90%+
  • Memory: ~22GB RAM
ps aux | grep azmcp
tim.searle  75173  90.9 33.8 460417360 22670944  ??  R  12:10p.m.  47:03.46 /Users/tim.searle/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2025.2/plugins/azure-toolkit-for-intellij/azmcp/azmcp_package_0.5.8/package/dist/azmcp server start

The process required a force termination signal as a regular termination signal was ignored.

Additional Context

No LaunchAgents were found keeping the process alive - it appears to be orphaned from the original IntelliJ session.

Related Issues

This may be related to #11213 which reports memory issues with azmcp, though that issue focuses on memory leaks while the plugin is enabled rather than the process persisting after disabling.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by tracing the Azure Toolkit for IntelliJ plugin lifecycle and the azmcp server start process described in the issue. Reproduce disabling the plugin on macOS, then verify that the associated process is terminated rather than orphaned; completion means no azmcp process remains after the plugin is disabled or IntelliJ exits.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
azure, java
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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