Extensions lead to silent errors/slowdowns

[noahsprent]

Enabling extensions can lead to Goose slowdowns or errors without it being clear that it's the fault of the extension. Even when not prompting to call tools it seems Goose is calling them in the background and it leads to "thinking..." for a long time (a minute or two for a simple "hello").

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Install MCP server as extension (in my case https://mcpstorefront.com/?store=allbirds.com&style=default, but I've had it happen with other extensions as well)
2. Start a chat, say "Hello"
3. Goose is thinking..... for a long time

Expected behavior
Goose doesn't call extension/MCP server/tool, or if it does, it tells you that's what you're waiting for, or it tries for a limited time and then says "extension is unavailable/slow"

Please provide following information:

• Ubuntu Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS x86_64
• UI
• 1.2.0
• Developer, Allbirds/mcpstorefront (https://mcpstorefront.com/?store=allbirds.com&style=default)
• gemini-2.0-flash — Google Gemini

Additional context
Happens with different models, including local. Model responds quickly when extension is disabled.

Maybe useful to log? #3888

[noahsprent]

Similarly, if there's an error with an MCP server it will halt things cryptically, I suppose because the tools are being checked for every input?

[zanesq]

@noahsprent any interest in taking this on?

[DOsinga]

I think we fixed this for gemini - @angelahning did. ping if not and we reopen!