Opening python (.py) files in Visual Studio Code (VSC) resulted in rogue python3.8 processes that did not terminate after closing the files or quitting VSC. The processes consumed over 81% of the CPU and were associated with rapid loss of battery power on a MacBook Air (M1, 2020). This was repeatable with an empty file with a .py extension.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

. Started VSC without any installed extensions.
. Opened existing emptyfile.py file with no content.
. No python3.8 processes running.
. Closed emptyfile.py file.
. Closed VSC window.
. Quit VSC.
. No python3.8 processes running.
. Opened VSC.
. Installed Python extension. This also installed jupyter extension.
. No python3.8 processes running.
. Opened emptyfile.py file.
. Checked for python processes:

% ps -ax | grep python
 4286 ??         0:00.27 /Users/Scott/anaconda3/bin/python /Users/Scott/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2021.2.625869727/pythonFiles/runJediLanguageServer.py
 4299 ??         0:00.15 /Users/Scott/anaconda3/bin/python /Users/Scott/anaconda3/lib/python3.8/site-packages/jedi/inference/compiled/subprocess/__main__.py /Users/Scott/anaconda3/lib/python3.8/site-packages 3.8.5 

. CPU use around 5%

. Closed emptyfile.py file.
. The two processes from ps above still present.
. Closed VSC window.
. python3.8 processes, PID 4286, now using about 81% CPU.
. Quit VSC.
. python3.8 processes, PID 4286, still using about 81% CPU.
. Process, PID 4289, from above ps still running.
. kill 4286 from terminal.
. Processes, PIDs 4286 and 4299, from above ps, no longer present.
. CPU use back down to around 6%.

Configuration

Visual Studio Code
Version: 1.54.1
Commit: f30a9b73e8ffc278e71575118b6bf568f04587c8
Date: 2021-03-04T22:42:18.719Z (19 hrs ago)
Electron: 11.3.0
Chrome: 87.0.4280.141
Node.js: 12.18.3
V8: 8.7.220.31-electron.0
OS: Darwin x64 20.3.0

Model Name: MacBook Air
Model Identifier: MacBookAir10,1
Chip: Apple M1
Memory: 16 GB
System Firmware Version: 6723.81.1

System Software Overview:
System Version: macOS 11.2.2 (20D80)
Kernel Version: Darwin 20.3.0

Python 3.8.5

VSC Extensions

Python
ms-python.python
v2021.2.625869727

Jupyter
ms-toolsai.jupyter
Microsoft
10,388,239
Repository
License
v2021.3.619093157