Meta's Pyrefly sabotages competing Python extensions without telling you(github.com)
38 pointsby FossAndFurious3 hours ago10 comments
  • FossAndFurious3 hours ago
    Pyrefly is Meta's new Python type checker and VS Code extension, released earlier this year. While auditing the VSIX before installing it, I found that on activation it silently writes `disableLanguageServices = true` to the user's global settings for three named extensions: basedpyright, windsurfpyright, and cursorpyright.

    The write uses `ConfigurationTarget.Global`, so it affects all workspaces. There is no `deactivate()` cleanup, so the setting persists after Pyrefly is uninstalled.

    This was verified by live reproduction: installed Pyrefly alongside basedpyright, opened a Python file, and observed the key appear in `settings.json`. Uninstalled Pyrefly — key remained, basedpyright still broken.

    The code is in plain TypeScript in the public repo (`lsp/src/extension-interop.ts`), added December 2025. This isn't obfuscated or hidden — it just hasn't been noticed.

    Bug report with full details, source references, and reproduction steps: https://github.com/facebook/pyrefly/issues/3292

    The fix is straightforward: ask the user before touching settings they didn't set, and restore them in `deactivate()`.

    • IceDanean hour ago
      Have you just completely retired your brain in favor of a bidirectional pipe to an LLM?
      • Esophagus4an hour ago
        I’ll answer that once my brain’s usage limit resets at 10:30pm
    • PufPufPuf2 hours ago
      "it's not X, m-dash, it's Y"
  • Lihh2734 minutes ago
    Disabling conflicting extensions, sure. Writing to global settings and leaving the mess behind after uninstall is not the same thing.
  • jaen2 hours ago
    Noticed this myself as a VSCode-derivative user.

    But I think this is just because having multiple Python extensions enabled generally breaks the UX...

    Since VSCode doesn't really have a nice way for multiple language extensions to cooperate, this looks like just a quick hack to make the initial UX better, unlikely to be "malicious".

    EDIT: Silent downvotes, really? Prejudice is strong here...

    • pityJuke2 hours ago
      Could they not gate this behind a notification on install?
  • 2 hours ago
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  • OutOfHerean hour ago
    Speaking of sabotage, Microsoft's SwiftKey keyboard app sabotages the use of a competing search engine (DuckDuckGo) in Firefox in Android for me. When typing a multi-word quoted search phrase, it doesn't allow it to be typed correctly.
  • axus2 hours ago
    Never attribute to malice what can be explained by vibe-coding
  • PufPufPuf2 hours ago
    Fixed title: Pyrefly automatically disables conflicting extensions on installation.

    That's a convenient thing to do: if user installs Pyrefly, they probably want to use Pyrefly. Everyone likes a good outrage against Meta, but this is a nothingburger.

    • NewsaHackO2 hours ago
      Yeah, I think the OP is overreacting. I am pretty sure it even says it in the initial installation instructions and gives a clear reason why it interferes with other language servers. In the "Features" section of the VsCodium extensions "Adds language features from Pyrefly's analysis like go-to definition, hover, etc. (full list here) and disables Pylance completely (VSCode's built-in Python extension)". I suspect there is an element of LLM-sycophancy-driven activism here.
      • d_seman hour ago
        OP is an LLM.
    • LaurensBER2 hours ago
      Agreed, it should definitely be documented and undone on uninstall but the action itself is reasonable.

      I spent some time figuring out how to disable the default language server after installing Ty.

      • hamandcheese2 hours ago
        > but the action itself is reasonable.

        I'm not outraged (the intentions were probably good), but I also strongly disagree. Don't touch my config without my consent.

    • 2 hours ago
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  • 3darlan hour ago
    This is typical in the Python space. Windows is also broken after installing Conda.

    Given that now one has to pray that one does not get Shai Hulud when using PyPI, the best thing Meta could do is switch Instagram to PHP/Hack and PyTorch back to Lua (or Haskell or whatever).

    • gavmoran hour ago
      Wow, I wasn't going to say it, but I was thinking it—python libraries and clobbering my environment? Name a more iconic duo.
  • jqpabc1232 hours ago
    Once again; if it has a Meta label, it most likely has added "features" you may not expect ... or want.
  • gavmoran hour ago
    From the people who brought you "move fast and break things."