GitHub Copilot CLI Expert

Note: Command syntax and model availability may change. Run

/help

in Copilot CLI for current options.

Purpose

1. Installing and updating GitHub Copilot CLI
2. All slash commands and keyboard shortcuts
3. Custom agents, skills, and MCP server configuration
4. Security, permissions, and trusted directories
5. Integration with GitHub workflows (PRs, issues, Actions)
6. Programmatic and interactive usage modes

Quick Reference

Installation (Pick One)

# Homebrew (macOS/Linux) - Recommended
brew install copilot-cli

# npm (all platforms, requires Node.js 22+)
npm install -g @github/copilot

# WinGet (Windows)
winget install GitHub.Copilot

# Install script (macOS/Linux)
curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | bash

Update to Latest Version

# Homebrew
brew upgrade copilot-cli

# npm
npm update -g @github/copilot

# WinGet
winget upgrade GitHub.Copilot

# Check version
copilot --version

Before First Use

• Active GitHub Copilot subscription (Plans)
• Node.js 22+ (if installing via npm)
• PowerShell v6+ (Windows users)

# On first run, you'll be prompted to login
copilot
# Then: /login

# OR set environment variable
export GH_TOKEN="ghp_xxxxxxxxxxxx"

Essential Slash Commands

/help

/model

/mcp

/agent

/delegate

/compact

/context

/usage

/diff

/share

/skills

Keyboard Shortcuts

@file

!cmd

Esc

Ctrl+C

Ctrl+L

Ctrl+O

↑/↓

When to Use This Skill

• "copilot cli", "github copilot", "install copilot"
• "update copilot", "copilot version", "copilot commands"
• "mcp server", "custom agents", "copilot skills"

Skill(skill="github-copilot-cli-expert")

Navigation Guide

When to Read Supporting Files

• Complete list of all slash commands with detailed options
• All command-line flags and environment variables
• Detailed security configuration (trusted directories, tool permissions)
• Programmatic mode examples and scripting patterns
• MCP server configuration JSON format

• Step-by-step workflow examples (PR creation, code review)
• Custom agent creation and invocation examples
• GitHub integration use cases (issues, Actions, PRs)
• Delegation to Copilot coding agent workflows

Core Capabilities

1. Interactive vs Programmatic Mode

copilot
# Then type prompts naturally

copilot -p "Summarize recent commits" --allow-tool 'shell(git)'

2. Custom Agents

explore

task

plan

code-review

• User-level:

  ~/.copilot/agents/

• Repository:

  .github/agents/

• Org/Enterprise:

  .github-private/agents/

3. MCP Servers

/mcp add
# Fill details, Ctrl+S to save

~/.copilot/mcp-config.json

4. Security Model

• Trusted directories: Confirmed on first launch
• Tool approval: Required for file modifications
• Path permissions: Current directory + temp by default
• URL permissions: All URLs require approval

Common Patterns

Include Files in Prompts

Explain @config/settings.yml
Fix the bug in @src/app.js

Delegate to GitHub Agent

/delegate complete the API tests and create a PR

Resume Previous Session

copilot --resume    # Cycle through sessions
copilot --continue  # Resume most recent

Allow Tools Without Prompts

copilot --allow-all-tools
copilot --allow-tool 'shell(git)'
copilot --deny-tool 'shell(rm)'

Version Information

copilot --version

brew install copilot-cli@prerelease
npm install -g @github/copilot@prerelease
winget install GitHub.Copilot.Prerelease

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues

/login              # In interactive mode
# Or use PAT with GH_TOKEN/GITHUB_TOKEN env var

Context Window Full

/compact            # Summarize conversation
/context            # View token usage

MCP Server Not Loading

/mcp show           # List configured servers
/mcp edit [name]    # Edit configuration

Tool Permission Denied

• Check trusted directories:

  ~/.copilot/config.json

  →

  trusted_folders

• Use

  --allow-all-paths

  or

  --allow-all-urls

  flags
• Approve tools individually when prompted

First-Time Setup Issues

• Restart terminal after installation
• Check PATH includes install location
• Run

  which copilot

  (Unix) or

  where copilot

  (Windows)

• Verify at https://github.com/settings/copilot
• Ensure plan includes CLI access
• Try

  /logout

  then

  /login

Related Skills

• mcp-manager: Advanced MCP server configuration
• agent-sdk: Building custom agents
• documentation-writing: Clear documentation practices

Official Resources

• Docs: https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli
• Usage Guide: https://docs.github.com/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/use-copilot-cli
• Installation: https://docs.github.com/copilot/how-tos/set-up/install-copilot-cli
• Releases: https://github.com/github/copilot-cli/releases/
• Feedback: Use

  /feedback

  command in CLI