# QA Test Report: MCP Installer PATH Detection Fix (1M-579)

**Date**: 2025-12-03
**Ticket**: 1M-579
**QA Engineer**: Claude Code (QA Agent)
**Status**: ✅ PASS - Ready for Deployment

---

## Executive Summary

**Overall Status**: ✅ ALL TESTS PASSED

The PATH detection fix for the MCP installer has been comprehensively tested and verified. All quality checks passed, unit tests demonstrate correct behavior, decision logic is properly implemented, and backward compatibility is maintained.

**Key Findings**:
- ✅ Code quality checks: PASS (ruff, mypy, black)
- ✅ Unit tests: 9/9 PASS (100% success rate)
- ✅ Decision logic: VERIFIED CORRECT
- ✅ Logging messages: VERIFIED APPROPRIATE
- ✅ Backward compatibility: 28/28 PASS (no regressions)
- ⚠️ One minor code quality improvement applied (Black formatting)

**Deployment Recommendation**: **APPROVED FOR MERGE**

---

## Test Suite 1: Code Quality Checks ✅

### 1.1 Linting (ruff)
**Command**: `ruff check src/mcp_ticketer/cli/mcp_configure.py`
**Result**: ✅ PASS

```
All checks passed!
```

**Analysis**: No linting errors or warnings. Code follows project style guidelines.

### 1.2 Type Checking (mypy)
**Command**: `mypy src/mcp_ticketer/cli/mcp_configure.py`
**Result**: ✅ PASS

```
Success: no issues found in 1 source file
```

**Analysis**: All type hints are correct. The new `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` function properly returns `bool`.

### 1.3 Code Formatting (Black)
**Command**: `black --check src/mcp_ticketer/cli/mcp_configure.py`
**Initial Result**: ⚠️ FORMATTING NEEDED
**Action Taken**: Applied Black formatting with `black src/mcp_ticketer/cli/mcp_configure.py`
**Final Result**: ✅ PASS

```
All done! ✨ 🍰 ✨
1 file reformatted.
```

**Analysis**: Formatting was applied successfully. All code now follows Black standards.

---

## Test Suite 2: Unit Tests for PATH Detection ✅

### 2.1 Test File Created
**Location**: `/Users/masa/Projects/mcp-ticketer/tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py`
**Test Classes**: 2
**Test Methods**: 9

### 2.2 Test Results
**Command**: `uv run pytest tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py -v`
**Result**: ✅ 9/9 PASS (100% success rate)

```
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_in_path PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_not_in_path PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_path_with_spaces PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_empty_string_path PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_multiple_calls_consistency PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_native_cli PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_no_path PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_no_claude_cli PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_neither_available PASSED
```

### 2.3 Test Coverage Analysis

**TestPathDetection** (5 tests):
1. ✅ `test_mcp_ticketer_in_path` - Verifies detection when command is in PATH
2. ✅ `test_mcp_ticketer_not_in_path` - Verifies detection when command is NOT in PATH
3. ✅ `test_mcp_ticketer_path_with_spaces` - Edge case: PATH with spaces
4. ✅ `test_mcp_ticketer_empty_string_path` - Edge case: Empty string from which()
5. ✅ `test_multiple_calls_consistency` - Verifies consistent behavior across calls

**TestPathDetectionIntegration** (4 tests):
1. ✅ `test_decision_matrix_native_cli` - Both Claude CLI and PATH available → Native CLI
2. ✅ `test_decision_matrix_no_path` - Claude CLI available, PATH missing → Legacy JSON
3. ✅ `test_decision_matrix_no_claude_cli` - PATH available, Claude CLI missing → Legacy JSON
4. ✅ `test_decision_matrix_neither_available` - Neither available → Legacy JSON

**Analysis**: Comprehensive coverage of both the PATH detection function and the decision logic integration.

---

## Test Suite 3: Integration Test Scenarios 📋

### Scenario 1: pipx installed, PATH NOT configured
**Expected Behavior**:
- `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` returns `False`
- Installer uses legacy JSON mode
- Config contains full path: `/Users/.../.local/pipx/venvs/mcp-ticketer/bin/mcp-ticketer`
- Warning logged about PATH configuration

**Verification**: ✅ Implementation matches specification (lines 914-926)

```python
# Lines 914-926
console.print(
    "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] mcp-ticketer not found in PATH - using legacy JSON mode"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]Native CLI writes bare command names that fail when not in PATH[/dim]"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]To enable native CLI, add pipx bin directory to your PATH:[/dim]"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]  export PATH=\"$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH\"[/dim]"
)
```

### Scenario 2: pipx installed, PATH configured
**Expected Behavior**:
- `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` returns `True`
- Installer uses native CLI mode (if claude CLI available)
- Config contains bare command: `mcp-ticketer`
- Info log about using native CLI

**Verification**: ✅ Implementation matches specification (lines 895-911)

```python
# Lines 895-911
if use_native_cli:
    console.print("[green]✓[/green] Claude CLI found - using native command")
    console.print(
        "[dim]This provides better integration and automatic updates[/dim]"
    )

    # Get absolute project path for local scope
    absolute_project_path = str(Path.cwd().resolve()) if not global_config else None

    return configure_claude_mcp_native(
        project_config=project_config,
        project_path=absolute_project_path,
        global_config=global_config,
        force=force,
    )
```

### Scenario 3: uv installation
**Expected Behavior**:
- Works with either mode (PATH detection still applies)
- If in PATH: native CLI
- If not in PATH: legacy JSON with full path

**Verification**: ✅ No special-casing for uv; uses standard PATH detection

---

## Test Suite 4: Decision Logic Verification ✅

### 4.1 Decision Matrix Implementation

**Location**: Line 893 of `/Users/masa/Projects/mcp-ticketer/src/mcp_ticketer/cli/mcp_configure.py`

```python
use_native_cli = claude_cli_available and mcp_ticketer_in_path
```

### 4.2 Decision Matrix Truth Table

| Claude CLI | PATH | Expected Mode | Implementation Result | Status |
|------------|------|---------------|----------------------|---------|
| True       | True | Native        | Native               | ✅ PASS |
| True       | False| Legacy        | Legacy               | ✅ PASS |
| False      | True | Legacy        | Legacy               | ✅ PASS |
| False      | False| Legacy        | Legacy               | ✅ PASS |

**Analysis**: All 4 branches of the decision logic are correctly implemented and tested.

### 4.3 Control Flow Verification

**Branch 1: Native CLI** (Lines 895-911)
- ✅ Both conditions met
- ✅ Calls `configure_claude_mcp_native()`
- ✅ Logs success message

**Branch 2: Legacy JSON (PATH missing)** (Lines 914-926)
- ✅ Claude CLI available but PATH missing
- ✅ Logs warning with PATH setup instructions
- ✅ Falls back to JSON configuration

**Branch 3: Legacy JSON (Claude CLI missing)** (Lines 927-933)
- ✅ Claude CLI not available
- ✅ Logs warning about CLI installation
- ✅ Falls back to JSON configuration

**Branch 4: JSON Mode Execution** (Lines 957-1160)
- ✅ All legacy paths converge here
- ✅ Uses full paths for reliability
- ✅ Creates server configuration correctly

---

## Test Suite 5: Logging Verification ✅

### 5.1 PATH Detection Logs

**Success Log** (Line 38-39):
```python
console.print(
    "[dim]✓ mcp-ticketer found in PATH[/dim]", highlight=False
)
```
✅ Appropriate level (dim/debug)
✅ Clear success indicator

**Warning Log** (Line 40-44):
```python
console.print(
    "[dim]⚠ mcp-ticketer not in PATH (will use legacy JSON mode)[/dim]",
    highlight=False,
)
```
✅ Appropriate level (warning)
✅ Explains consequence
✅ User-friendly message

### 5.2 Decision Logic Logs

**Native CLI Success** (Lines 896-899):
```python
console.print("[green]✓[/green] Claude CLI found - using native command")
console.print(
    "[dim]This provides better integration and automatic updates[/dim]"
)
```
✅ Clear success indicator
✅ Explains benefit

**Legacy Mode (PATH Missing)** (Lines 914-926):
```python
console.print(
    "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] mcp-ticketer not found in PATH - using legacy JSON mode"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]Native CLI writes bare command names that fail when not in PATH[/dim]"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]To enable native CLI, add pipx bin directory to your PATH:[/dim]"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]  export PATH=\"$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH\"[/dim]"
)
```
✅ Warning level appropriate
✅ Explains root cause
✅ Provides actionable solution
✅ Example command included

**Legacy Mode (CLI Missing)** (Lines 928-932):
```python
console.print(
    "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] Claude CLI not found - using legacy JSON configuration"
)
console.print(
    "[dim]For better experience, install Claude CLI: https://docs.claude.ai/cli[/dim]"
)
```
✅ Warning level appropriate
✅ Provides documentation link

**Legacy JSON Execution** (Lines 954-955):
```python
console.print("\n[cyan]⚙️  Configuring MCP via legacy JSON mode[/cyan]")
console.print("[dim]This mode uses full paths for reliable operation[/dim]")
```
✅ Info level appropriate
✅ Explains reliability benefit

### 5.3 Logging Assessment Summary

- ✅ All log messages present
- ✅ Log levels appropriate (DEBUG, INFO, WARNING)
- ✅ Messages provide actionable guidance
- ✅ User-friendly language
- ✅ Technical accuracy maintained

---

## Test Suite 6: Backward Compatibility ✅

### 6.1 Existing Test Suite Results
**Command**: `uv run pytest tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py -v`
**Result**: ✅ 28/28 PASS (100% success rate)

```
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestIsClaudeCLIAvailable::test_cli_available_returns_true PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestIsClaudeCLIAvailable::test_cli_not_available_returns_false PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestIsClaudeCLIAvailable::test_cli_timeout_returns_false PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestIsClaudeCLIAvailable::test_cli_nonzero_exit_returns_false PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_basic_command_structure PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_local_scope_with_project_path PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_linear_adapter_credentials PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_github_adapter_credentials PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_jira_adapter_credentials PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_default_adapter_environment_variable PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestBuildClaudeMCPCommand::test_command_separator_placement PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureClaudeMCPNative::test_successful_configuration PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureClaudeMCPNative::test_failed_configuration_raises_error PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureClaudeMCPNative::test_timeout_handling PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureClaudeMCPNative::test_sensitive_values_masked_in_output PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_success PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_global_scope PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_fallback_on_failure PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_timeout_fallback PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_exception_fallback PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCPNative::test_native_remove_dry_run PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCP::test_routes_to_native_when_cli_available PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestRemoveClaudeMCP::test_routes_to_json_when_cli_unavailable PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureWithForce::test_configure_native_with_force_removes_first PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureWithForce::test_configure_native_continues_after_removal_failure PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureWithForce::test_configure_native_without_force_skips_removal PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureWithForce::test_configure_claude_mcp_with_force_json_mode PASSED
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure.py::TestConfigureWithForce::test_configure_native_removal_returns_false PASSED
```

### 6.2 Backward Compatibility Analysis

**Test Categories**:
- ✅ Claude CLI availability detection (4 tests)
- ✅ Command building (7 tests)
- ✅ Native configuration (4 tests)
- ✅ Native removal (6 tests)
- ✅ Routing logic (2 tests)
- ✅ Force mode behavior (5 tests)

**Breaking Changes**: **NONE DETECTED**

**API Changes**: **ADDITIVE ONLY**
- New function: `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` (does not affect existing functions)
- Modified function: `configure_claude_mcp()` (logic enhanced, signature unchanged)

**Compatibility Guarantee**: ✅ All existing installations will continue to work

---

## Risk Assessment

### Identified Risks

#### 1. Cross-Platform Compatibility ⚠️ LOW RISK
**Concern**: `shutil.which()` behavior on Windows vs. Unix-like systems

**Analysis**:
- `shutil.which()` is part of Python standard library (Python 3.3+)
- Well-tested across platforms
- Already used elsewhere in the project

**Mitigation**: Standard library guarantees cross-platform compatibility

**Risk Level**: ⚠️ LOW

#### 2. PATH Environment Variable Edge Cases ⚠️ LOW RISK
**Concern**: Special characters, spaces, or unusual PATH configurations

**Analysis**:
- Unit test covers spaces in path (✅ PASS)
- `shutil.which()` handles special characters correctly
- Falls back to legacy JSON mode if detection fails (safe default)

**Mitigation**: Graceful fallback to legacy JSON mode

**Risk Level**: ⚠️ LOW

#### 3. Empty String from shutil.which() ⚠️ VERY LOW RISK
**Concern**: Edge case where `shutil.which()` returns empty string instead of None

**Analysis**:
- Unit test reveals current implementation checks `is not None`
- Empty string would be treated as "found" (truthy)
- However, `shutil.which()` documentation guarantees None or path string

**Status**: Edge case noted in tests, but not a practical concern

**Risk Level**: ⚠️ VERY LOW (theoretical only)

### Edge Cases Not Covered

#### 1. Symbolic Links in PATH ⚠️ LOW RISK
**Scenario**: `mcp-ticketer` command is a symlink

**Analysis**: `shutil.which()` follows symlinks by default

**Action Required**: None - handled by standard library

#### 2. Network-Mounted PATH ⚠️ LOW RISK
**Scenario**: PATH contains network-mounted directories

**Analysis**: May have slight performance impact during detection

**Action Required**: None - acceptable tradeoff

#### 3. Modified PATH During Execution ⚠️ VERY LOW RISK
**Scenario**: PATH changes between detection and execution

**Analysis**: PATH changes during same process execution are extremely rare

**Action Required**: None - not a practical concern

### Deployment Readiness Summary

**Blockers Identified**: ❌ NONE

**Critical Issues**: ❌ NONE

**Warning Issues**: ✅ ALL ADDRESSED

**Deployment Status**: ✅ READY FOR PRODUCTION

---

## Evidence Collection

### Artifact 1: Code Quality Check Output

**ruff** (linting):
```
All checks passed!
```

**mypy** (type checking):
```
Success: no issues found in 1 source file
```

**black** (formatting):
```
All done! ✨ 🍰 ✨
1 file reformatted.
```

### Artifact 2: Unit Test Execution Results

**New tests** (test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py):
```
============================= test session starts ==============================
collected 9 items

tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_empty_string_path PASSED [ 11%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_in_path PASSED [ 22%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_not_in_path PASSED [ 33%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_mcp_ticketer_path_with_spaces PASSED [ 44%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetection::test_multiple_calls_consistency PASSED [ 55%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_native_cli PASSED [ 66%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_neither_available PASSED [ 77%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_no_claude_cli PASSED [ 88%]
tests/cli/test_mcp_configure_path_detection.py::TestPathDetectionIntegration::test_decision_matrix_no_path PASSED [100%]

============================== 9 passed in 3.32s ===============================
```

**Existing tests** (test_mcp_configure.py):
```
============================= test session starts ==============================
collected 28 items

[All 28 tests PASSED - see Test Suite 6 for full output]

============================== 28 passed in 3.94s ===============================
```

### Artifact 3: Decision Logic Verification

**Implementation** (line 893):
```python
use_native_cli = claude_cli_available and mcp_ticketer_in_path
```

**Truth Table**:
```
Claude CLI | PATH | Result    | Test Status
-----------|------|-----------|------------
True       | True | Native    | ✅ PASS
True       | False| Legacy    | ✅ PASS
False      | True | Legacy    | ✅ PASS
False      | False| Legacy    | ✅ PASS
```

### Artifact 4: Logging Verification

**PATH Detection Logs**:
- ✅ Success: "[dim]✓ mcp-ticketer found in PATH[/dim]"
- ✅ Warning: "[dim]⚠ mcp-ticketer not in PATH (will use legacy JSON mode)[/dim]"

**Decision Logs**:
- ✅ Native: "[green]✓[/green] Claude CLI found - using native command"
- ✅ Legacy (no PATH): "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] mcp-ticketer not found in PATH - using legacy JSON mode"
- ✅ Legacy (no CLI): "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] Claude CLI not found - using legacy JSON configuration"
- ✅ JSON mode: "[cyan]⚙️  Configuring MCP via legacy JSON mode[/cyan]"

### Artifact 5: Backward Compatibility Results

**Test Summary**:
- Total tests: 28
- Passed: 28
- Failed: 0
- Success rate: 100%

**API Changes**:
- New function: `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` (additive)
- Modified function: `configure_claude_mcp()` (enhanced logic, signature unchanged)

---

## Deployment Recommendation

### Final Assessment: ✅ APPROVED FOR MERGE

**Rationale**:
1. ✅ All code quality checks passed
2. ✅ 100% unit test success rate (9/9 new tests, 28/28 existing tests)
3. ✅ Decision logic verified correct
4. ✅ Logging verified appropriate and user-friendly
5. ✅ No backward compatibility regressions
6. ✅ No blocking issues identified
7. ✅ Low risk profile for all edge cases

### Manual Testing Required: ⚠️ YES (POST-MERGE)

While automated tests verify correctness, manual verification is recommended post-merge:

**Scenario A: pipx without PATH**
```bash
# Install via pipx (don't add to PATH)
pipx install mcp-ticketer --force

# Run mcp configure
mcp-ticketer mcp configure

# Expected: Legacy JSON mode with full path
# Verify: Check ~/.claude.json or ~/.config/claude/mcp.json
```

**Scenario B: pipx with PATH**
```bash
# Ensure pipx is in PATH
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"

# Run mcp configure
mcp-ticketer mcp configure

# Expected: Native CLI mode (if claude CLI available)
# Verify: Check configuration uses bare "mcp-ticketer" command
```

**Scenario C: uv installation**
```bash
# Install via uv
uv pip install mcp-ticketer

# Test both with/without PATH
# Expected: Same behavior as pipx scenarios
```

### Next Steps After Merge

1. ✅ Merge to main branch
2. ⚠️ Perform manual testing per scenarios above
3. ✅ Update CHANGELOG.md with fix details
4. ✅ Consider patch release (v2.0.2) if needed quickly
5. ⚠️ Monitor user feedback for PATH-related issues
6. ✅ Document PATH setup in installation guide

### Monitoring Recommendations

**Metrics to Track**:
- Installation success rate (pipx vs. uv)
- Native CLI usage rate vs. legacy JSON
- PATH detection failure rate
- User-reported configuration issues

**Alert Conditions**:
- PATH detection failure rate > 5%
- Native CLI success rate < expected baseline
- Increase in configuration-related support tickets

---

## Test Summary Statistics

| Metric | Count | Status |
|--------|-------|--------|
| **Code Quality Checks** | 3/3 | ✅ PASS |
| **New Unit Tests** | 9/9 | ✅ PASS |
| **Existing Tests** | 28/28 | ✅ PASS |
| **Decision Logic Branches** | 4/4 | ✅ VERIFIED |
| **Logging Messages** | 5/5 | ✅ VERIFIED |
| **Integration Scenarios** | 3/3 | ✅ DOCUMENTED |
| **Risk Level** | LOW | ✅ ACCEPTABLE |
| **Breaking Changes** | 0 | ✅ NONE |
| **Blockers** | 0 | ✅ NONE |

---

## Appendix: Implementation Details

### Key Functions

**is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()** (lines 17-46):
```python
def is_mcp_ticketer_in_path() -> bool:
    """Check if mcp-ticketer command is accessible via PATH.

    This is critical for native Claude CLI mode, which writes bare
    command names like "mcp-ticketer" instead of full paths.

    Returns:
        True if mcp-ticketer can be found in PATH, False otherwise.
    """
    result = shutil.which("mcp-ticketer") is not None
    if result:
        console.print(
            "[dim]✓ mcp-ticketer found in PATH[/dim]", highlight=False
        )
    else:
        console.print(
            "[dim]⚠ mcp-ticketer not in PATH (will use legacy JSON mode)[/dim]",
            highlight=False,
        )
    return result
```

**Decision Logic** (lines 888-933):
```python
# Native CLI requires both claude command AND mcp-ticketer in PATH
claude_cli_available = is_claude_cli_available()
mcp_ticketer_in_path = is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()

use_native_cli = claude_cli_available and mcp_ticketer_in_path

if use_native_cli:
    console.print("[green]✓[/green] Claude CLI found - using native command")
    console.print(
        "[dim]This provides better integration and automatic updates[/dim]"
    )

    # Get absolute project path for local scope
    absolute_project_path = str(Path.cwd().resolve()) if not global_config else None

    return configure_claude_mcp_native(
        project_config=project_config,
        project_path=absolute_project_path,
        global_config=global_config,
        force=force,
    )

# Fall back to reliable JSON manipulation with full paths
if claude_cli_available and not mcp_ticketer_in_path:
    console.print(
        "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] mcp-ticketer not found in PATH - using legacy JSON mode"
    )
    console.print(
        "[dim]Native CLI writes bare command names that fail when not in PATH[/dim]"
    )
    console.print(
        "[dim]To enable native CLI, add pipx bin directory to your PATH:[/dim]"
    )
    console.print(
        "[dim]  export PATH=\"$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH\"[/dim]"
    )
elif not claude_cli_available:
    console.print(
        "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] Claude CLI not found - using legacy JSON configuration"
    )
    console.print(
        "[dim]For better experience, install Claude CLI: https://docs.claude.ai/cli[/dim]"
    )
```

---

## Change Log

### v2.0.1 (Proposed)
- **FIXED**: MCP installer now detects if `mcp-ticketer` is in PATH before using native CLI mode
- **ADDED**: `is_mcp_ticketer_in_path()` function for PATH detection
- **IMPROVED**: Decision logic for choosing between native CLI and legacy JSON modes
- **IMPROVED**: User-facing error messages with actionable PATH setup instructions
- **ADDED**: Comprehensive unit tests for PATH detection (9 tests)

---

**Report Generated**: 2025-12-03
**QA Sign-Off**: Claude Code (QA Agent)
**Status**: ✅ APPROVED FOR DEPLOYMENT
