[Proof of Concept] Enable Code GitHub CoPilot to Install, Uninstall the .NET SDK / Runtimes

.gitignore

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ project.lock.json
 *.ipch
 *.js
 !.eslintrc.js
+!dotnet-install-mcp.js
 *.d.ts
 *.js.map
 .build/

vscode-dotnet-runtime-extension/MCP-README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+# .NET MCP Server
+
+This extension provides a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for .NET installation and management tools. The MCP server allows AI assistants to install, manage, and query .NET SDKs and runtimes.
+
+## Architecture
+
+The .NET MCP implementation consists of three main components:
+
+### 1. VS Code Command Executor (`vscode-command-executor.ts`)
+- Runs within the VS Code extension host
+- Listens on a named pipe for commands from external processes
+- Executes VS Code extension commands (`dotnet.acquireGlobalSDK`, `dotnet.uninstall`, etc.)
+- Provides secure communication between the MCP server and VS Code APIs
+
+### 2. MCP Server Tool (`dotnet-install-mcp.js`)
+- Standalone Node.js process that implements the MCP protocol
+- Communicates with AI assistants via stdio (JSON-RPC)
+- Connects to VS Code Command Executor via named pipes
+- Can also be used as a standalone CLI tool
+
+### 3. MCP Provider (`dotnet-mcp-provider.ts`)
+- Integrates with VS Code's MCP infrastructure
+- Attempts to register with VS Code MCP API if available
+- Provides fallback configuration for manual setup
+- Manages the lifecycle of MCP components
+
+## Usage
+
+### Automatic Setup (VS Code MCP API)
+If your VS Code version supports the MCP API, the server will be automatically registered and available in the MCP view.
+
+### Manual Setup
+If automatic registration is not available, add this configuration to your VS Code `mcp.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "servers": {
+    "dotnet-installer": {
+      "type": "stdio",
+      "command": "dotnet-install-mcp-server",
+      "args": []
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### VS Code Extension API
+The extension also exposes the standard VS Code commands that can be called programmatically:
+
+```typescript
+// Install .NET runtime
+await vscode.commands.executeCommand('dotnet.acquire', {
+  version: '8.0',
+  requestingExtensionId: 'your-extension-id',
+  mode: 'runtime'
+});
+
+// Install .NET SDK globally
+await vscode.commands.executeCommand('dotnet.acquireGlobalSDK', {
+  version: '8.0',
+  requestingExtensionId: 'your-extension-id'
+});
+```
+
+## Setup
+
+1. The extension automatically starts the VSCode Command Executor when activated
+2. The MCP command-line tool is added to PATH in `~/.dotnet-mcp/bin/`
+3. The MCP server infrastructure is set up for stdio communication
+
+## Communication Flow
+
+```
+AI Assistant -> MCP Protocol -> dotnet-install-mcp.js -> Named Pipe -> vscode-command-executor.ts -> VS Code Commands -> .NET Installation
+```
+
+## File Structure
+
+- `vscode-command-executor.ts` - Pipe server that executes VS Code commands
+- `dotnet-install-mcp.js` - Standalone CLI tool for pipe communication
+- `extension.ts` - Contains `setupMCPServer()` function for integration
+- `mcp-package.json` - Package configuration for the MCP tool
+
+## Security Considerations
+
+- The named pipe is local to the machine
+- Commands are validated before execution
+- Only specific VS Code commands are allowed
+- Authentication could be added via pipe permissions
+
+## Error Handling
+
+- Connection timeouts (5 minutes)
+- Command validation
+- Proper error propagation through the pipe
+- MCP protocol error responses
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- VS Code Extension: Uses existing extension dependencies
+- MCP Tool: Only requires Node.js and `uuid` package
+- No external dependencies for basic operation

vscode-dotnet-runtime-extension/package.json

@@ -129,7 +129,13 @@
                     "description": "Enable this to show more detailed output from our extension."
                 }
             }
-        }
+        },
+        "mcpServerDefinitionProviders": [
+            {
+                "id": "dotnetInstaller",
+                "label": ".NET Installation Tools"
+            }
+        ]
     },
     "scripts": {
         "vscode:prepublish": "npm run compile-all && npm install && webpack --mode production && dotnet build ../msbuild/signJs --property jsOutputPath=..\\..\\vscode-dotnet-runtime-extension\\dist -bl -v:normal",
@@ -156,6 +162,7 @@
         "shelljs": "^0.8.5",
         "ts-loader": "^9.5.1",
         "typescript": "^5.5.4",
+        "uuid": "^9.0.0",
         "vscode-dotnet-runtime-library": "file:../vscode-dotnet-runtime-library",
         "webpack-permissions-plugin": "^1.0.9"
     },
@@ -176,4 +183,4 @@
         "publisherId": "d05e23de-3974-4ff0-8d47-23ee77830092",
         "isPreReleaseVersion": false
     }
-}
+}