[Bug] AI Assistant's PowerShell Command Execution Fails While Direct User Commands Work
Bug: AI Assistant's PowerShell Command Execution Fails While Direct User Commands Work
The AI assistant's tool interface is designed to provide users with a seamless experience by executing various commands, including PowerShell commands. However, a critical issue has been identified where the AI assistant's tool interface fails to execute PowerShell commands, resulting in a CommandNotFoundException
. This issue is particularly puzzling as the same commands work perfectly when executed directly by the user. In this article, we will delve into the details of this bug, explore the environment and diagnostic information, and provide steps to reproduce the issue.
The issue has been observed on the following environment:
- OS: Windows 10.0.22631
- PowerShell Version: 5.1.22621.4391
- Cursor Installation: C:\Users\dorde\AppData\Local\Programs\cursor
- PowerShell Path: C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
- Cursor PowerShell Extension: ms-vscode.powershell-2025.0.0
PowerShell Environment
The PowerShell environment is properly configured with the following settings:
- Language Mode: FullLanguage
- Command Origin: Runspace
- All standard modules available
- Using VS Code's PowerShell extension
Working Example (User Direct Execution)
When a user executes a PowerShell command directly in the terminal, it works as expected. For example, the following command to get the current location works perfectly:
PS C:\Users\dorde\Documents\Code\Cursor Learning> Get-Location
Path
----
C:\Users\dorde\Documents\Code\Cursor Learning
Failed Example (AI Assistant Tool Interface)
However, when the same command is executed through the AI assistant's tool interface, it fails with a CommandNotFoundException
:
<invoke name="run_terminal_cmd">
command: Get-Location
result: CommandNotFoundException
The error pattern observed in this issue is as follows:
- All commands through the AI's tool interface fail with
CommandNotFoundException
: Regardless of the command type, whether it's a PowerShell cmdlet, cmd.exe command, or full path execution, all commands fail with aCommandNotFoundException
. - Error occurs before the command reaches PowerShell: The error occurs before the command even reaches the PowerShell environment, indicating a problem with the tool interface or the way it interacts with PowerShell.
- Same commands work perfectly when run directly by the user: This suggests that the issue is specific to the AI assistant's tool interface and not a problem with the PowerShell environment or the commands themselves.
- Issue persists across different command types: The issue is not limited to a specific type of command; it affects all types of commands, including PowerShell cmdlets, cmd.exe commands, and full path executions.
To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:
- Start a conversation with the AI assistant: Engage with the AI assistant and ask it to execute a PowerShell command.
- Ask it to execute any PowerShell command: Request the AI assistant to execute a specific PowerShell command, such as
Get-Location
. - Observe the CommandNotFoundException error: The AI assistant's tool interface will fail to execute the command, resulting in a
CommandNotFoundException
. - Run the same command directly in the terminal: Execute the same command directly in the terminal to verify that it works correctly.
- Observe that it works correctly: The command will work as expected when executed directly in the terminal.
- PowerShell session is properly initialized: The PowerShell session is properly initialized, and all necessary modules are available.
- Full language mode is enabled: The language mode is set to FullLanguage, which is the default mode for PowerShell.
- All necessary modules are available: All necessary modules are available, and the PowerShell environment is properly configured.
In conclusion, the AI assistant's tool interface fails to execute PowerShell commands, resulting in a CommandNotFoundException
. This issue is specific to the tool interface and not a problem with the PowerShell environment or the commands themselves. By following the steps to reproduce this issue, developers can identify and fix the problem, ensuring a seamless experience for users interacting with the AI assistant.
Q&A: Bug in AI Assistant's PowerShell Command Execution
In our previous article, we discussed a critical issue with the AI assistant's tool interface where it fails to execute PowerShell commands, resulting in a CommandNotFoundException
. This issue is particularly puzzling as the same commands work perfectly when executed directly by the user. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this bug.
A: The CommandNotFoundException
error occurs because the AI assistant's tool interface is unable to find the command in the PowerShell environment. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including:
- The command is not properly registered in the PowerShell environment.
- The command is not available in the current PowerShell session.
- The command is not properly formatted or spelled.
A: The same commands work perfectly when executed directly by the user because the user's PowerShell environment is properly configured and the command is properly registered. The AI assistant's tool interface, however, is unable to execute the command due to the reasons mentioned above.
A: This issue affects all types of commands, including PowerShell cmdlets, cmd.exe commands, and full path executions. The AI assistant's tool interface is unable to execute any command that requires a specific PowerShell environment or configuration.
A: Yes, this issue can be resolved by updating the AI assistant's tool interface or PowerShell environment. However, the exact solution will depend on the specific cause of the issue and the configuration of the AI assistant's tool interface and PowerShell environment.
A: To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:
- Start a conversation with the AI assistant.
- Ask it to execute a PowerShell command.
- Observe the
CommandNotFoundException
error. - Run the same command directly in the terminal to verify that it works correctly.
- Report the issue to the developers, including the steps to reproduce it and any relevant diagnostic information.
A: The potential consequences of this issue include:
- Inability to execute critical PowerShell commands.
- Inability to automate tasks that require PowerShell commands.
- Inability to use the AI assistant's tool interface for tasks that require PowerShell commands.
A: To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, ensure that the AI assistant's tool interface and PowerShell environment are properly configured and updated. Additionally, verify that the command is properly registered and formatted before executing it through the AI assistant's tool interface.
In conclusion, the CommandNotFoundException
error in the AI assistant's tool interface is a critical issue that can be resolved by updating the tool interface or PowerShell environment. By understanding the cause of the issue and following the steps to reproduce it, developers can identify and fix the problem, ensuring a seamless experience for users interacting with the AI assistant.