Copilot agent mode does not call Python commands in my venv

[pamelafox]

Type: Bug

Copilot agent mode ran this command:

cd /Users/pamelafox/azure-search-openai-demo && python -m pytest tests/e2e.py::test_chat_customization_multimodal -v

However, that command failed, since I am using a virtual environment. This happens frequently in this repo. I would like it to use the currently selected venv (in use by the Python extension).

I do actually have two venv's for this repo, but there's only one activated at a time, so I think Copilot's best bet is to pick the active one according to the extension.

Extension version: 0.28.5
VS Code version: Code 1.101.2 (2901c5ac6db8a986a5666c3af51ff804d05af0d4, 2025-06-24T20:27:15.391Z)
OS version: Darwin arm64 23.6.0
Modes:

System Info

Item	Value
CPUs	Apple M1 Pro (10 x 2400)
GPU Status	2d_canvas: enabled canvas_oop_rasterization: enabled_on direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: enabled_on video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg)	13, 10, 9
Memory (System)	16.00GB (0.09GB free)
Process Argv	--crash-reporter-id 62586060-13a2-4d6f-9b3f-4b1de1d548e4
Screen Reader	no
VM	0%

A/B Experiments

vsliv368:30146709
vspor879:30202332
vspor708:30202333
vspor363:30204092
vscod805cf:30301675
binariesv615:30325510
c4g48928:30535728
azure-dev_surveyone:30548225
a9j8j154:30646983
962ge761:30959799
2e7ec940:31000449
pythontbext0:30879054
cppperfnew:31000557
dwnewjupytercf:31046870
pythonrstrctxt:31112756
nativeloc1:31192215
5fd0e150:31155592
dwcopilot:31170013
6074i472:31201624
dwoutputs:31242946
customenabled:31248079
hdaa2157:31222309
copilot_t_ci:31222730
e5gg6876:31282496
pythoneinst12:31285622
bgtreat:31268568
4gafe986:31271826
c7cif404:31309971
996jf627:31283433
pythonrdcb7cf:31303019
usemplatestapi:31297334
0aa6g176:31307128
7bj51361:31289155
747dc170:31275177
9hi5e907:31309499
pylancecolor:31309108
aj953862:31281341
generatesymbolt:31295002
convertfstringf:31295003
gendocf:31295004

[pamelafox]

Screenshot:

[vs-code-engineering]

Thanks for creating this issue! It looks like you may be using an old version of VS Code, the latest stable release is 1.102.0. Please try upgrading to the latest version and checking whether this issue remains.

Happy Coding!

[Tyriar]

Not sure who the right owner for this is tbh. I know @DonJayamanne did something like this around activating environments.

[DonJayamanne]

@pamelafox What folder do you have opened in VS Code?
What version of Python extension do you have installed?
Also, please can you install the latest version of VS Code and Python extension

I do actually have two venv's for this repo, but there's only one activated at a time,

What do you mean by this.
Have you selected a venv for the workspace you have opened using the Python: Select Interpreter command?

[pamelafox]

Just updated and confirmed issue still exists:

Python ext version is 2025.11.2025071501

I have azure-search-openai-demo folder opened. I have both ".venv" and a ".evalenv" in my folder, but I have ".venv" activated, as you can see in the latest screenshot. I didn't explicitly use Select Interpreter but the extension activated it anyway (I forget how it decides to auto-activate).

[ChefJayTay]

I have a similar issue with my project. Whenever GitHub Copilot Chat Agent runs a command, it opens a fresh prompt, and never activates the virtual environment, resulting in missing packages, and the copilot then trying to install packages that are unneeded.

[DonJayamanne]

@ChefJayTay please can you file a separate issue for what you're running into

[DonJayamanne]

@pamelafox just checking if you've managed to try vs code insiders & share logs requested (in teams message).
Thanks