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+# Startup Hooks Must Check Venv Cache Path First
+
+## Context
+- **Date:** 2026-02-02
+- **Time Wasted:** 4+ hours debugging across 3 devices
+- **Severity:** Critical - blocks all MCP functionality
+- **Components:** SessionStart hooks, MCP server venvs
+
+## Problem
+
+SessionStart hooks in `data-platform` and `pr-review` plugins were reporting "MCP venv missing" even though venvs existed and MCP servers worked fine.
+
+The hooks checked the WRONG path:
+```bash
+# WRONG - checks marketplace directory (gets wiped on updates)
+VENV_PATH="$MARKETPLACE_ROOT/mcp-servers/data-platform/.venv/bin/python"
+```
+
+But venvs actually live in the CACHE directory (survives updates):
+```bash
+# CORRECT - cache location
+~/.cache/claude-mcp-venvs/leo-claude-mktplace/{server}/.venv/
+```
+
+## Root Cause
+
+The `run.sh` scripts correctly check cache first, then local. But the startup hooks were written later and copied the wrong pattern - checking only the marketplace path.
+
+**Inconsistency between:**
+- `mcp-servers/*/run.sh` - checks cache first ✓
+- `plugins/*/hooks/startup-check.sh` - only checked marketplace ✗
+
+## Solution
+
+Update startup hooks to match run.sh pattern:
+
+```bash
+# Check cache first (preferred), then local
+CACHE_VENV="$HOME/.cache/claude-mcp-venvs/leo-claude-mktplace/{server}/.venv/bin/python"
+LOCAL_VENV="$MARKETPLACE_ROOT/mcp-servers/{server}/.venv/bin/python"
+
+if [[ -f "$CACHE_VENV" ]]; then
+    VENV_PATH="$CACHE_VENV"
+elif [[ -f "$LOCAL_VENV" ]]; then
+    VENV_PATH="$LOCAL_VENV"
+else
+    echo "$PREFIX MCP venv missing - run /initial-setup or setup.sh"
+    exit 0
+fi
+```
+
+## Prevention
+
+### 1. Canonical Venv Path Pattern
+Add to `docs/CANONICAL-PATHS.md`:
+```
+MCP Server Venvs (ALWAYS check in this order):
+1. Cache: ~/.cache/claude-mcp-venvs/leo-claude-mktplace/{server}/.venv/
+2. Local: {marketplace}/mcp-servers/{server}/.venv/
+```
+
+### 2. Pre-Commit Check
+Add validation script that ensures all hooks checking for venvs use the cache-first pattern.
+
+### 3. Code Review Checklist
+When reviewing hooks that check venv paths:
+- [ ] Does it check cache path FIRST?
+- [ ] Does it match the pattern in run.sh?
+- [ ] Is the server name correct?
+
+## Files Changed
+
+1. `plugins/data-platform/hooks/startup-check.sh` - Fixed path checking
+2. `plugins/pr-review/hooks/startup-check.sh` - Fixed path checking
+
+## Why This Matters
+
+- Venvs in marketplace get DELETED on every update/reinstall
+- Cache directory SURVIVES updates - that's its entire purpose
+- False "venv missing" errors cause hours of debugging
+- User wastes time running setup scripts that don't fix anything
+
+## Tags for Discovery
+
+Search terms that should find this lesson:
+- "venv missing"
+- "MCP venv"
+- "startup hook"
+- "SessionStart"
+- "cache path"
+- "marketplace path"
+- "run.sh"
+
+
+---
+**Tags:** venv, mcp, hooks, startup, cache, debugging, critical, path-mismatch
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