diff --git a/test/mcp/README.md b/test/mcp/README.md
index a3c8a896c2d..5c02ee0f09d 100644
--- a/test/mcp/README.md
+++ b/test/mcp/README.md
@@ -123,12 +123,11 @@ test/mcp/
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 ### Server Won't Start
-- Ensure Code - OSS's Core and Extension builds are running (they should start automatically)
-- Check that port 33418 is not already in use
+- Ensure Code - OSS has been built and run at least once (via F5 or `code.sh`)
 - Verify all dependencies are installed with `npm install`
 
 ### Browser Automation Issues
-- Ensure Code - OSS has been built and run at least once
+- Ensure Code - OSS has been built and run at least once (via F5 or `code.sh`)
 - Check the server logs for Playwright-related errors
 - Verify the test repository is properly cloned
 
diff --git a/test/mcp/package.json b/test/mcp/package.json
index 1b2e14de4be..1f9d1ad7f1c 100644
--- a/test/mcp/package.json
+++ b/test/mcp/package.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     "watch-automation": "cd ../automation && npm run watch",
     "watch-mcp": "node ../../node_modules/typescript/bin/tsc --watch --preserveWatchOutput",
     "watch": "npm-run-all -lp watch-automation watch-mcp",
-    "start-stdio": "npm run -s compile && node ./out/stdio.js"
+    "start-stdio": "echo 'Starting vscode-playwright-mcp... For customization & troubleshooting, see ./test/mcp/README.md' && npm ci && npm run -s compile && node ./out/stdio.js"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk": "1.18.1",