VS Code server no longer installs extensions upon launch

[joshspicer]

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: Yes

• VS Code Version: 1.99
• OS Version: mac

Expectation

When launching a VS Code server with the --install-extension flag, extensions should immediately be installed from the marketplace.

Actual

Extensions are not installed until a workbench attaches to the server.

Why

I believe due to this change - maybe:

vscode/src/vs/platform/extensionManagement/common/extensionGalleryManifestServiceIpc.ts

Lines 39 to 42 in 6f4092e

	override async getExtensionGalleryManifest(): Promise<IExtensionGalleryManifest | null> {
	await this.barrier.wait();
	return this.extensionGalleryManifest ?? null;
	}

, the extension installation is blocked until this barrier is opened by setExtensionGalleryManifest. This won't happen until the workbench is available.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Start code-server with ./code-server --accept-server-license-terms --start-server --host 127.0.0.1 --install-extension joshspicer.touchbarcommandshortcuts
2. 🐛 joshspicer.touchbarcommandshortcuts does not install immediately

See full video demo for more info:

Screen.Recording.2025-04-07.at.4.19.54.PM.mov

[sandy081]

This was an intentional change since workbench only knows about the marketplace endpoint. Is this problematic?

[joshspicer]

Ah, ok. It was a surprising behavior change to me. Won't this effectively make extension installation slower now that it needs to wait for the workbench?

[sandy081]

Won't this effectively make extension installation slower now that it needs to wait for the workbench?

That's true