GitHub Copilot CLI

All the power of copilot right in your terminal.

Getting Started

Installation

Choose your preferred installation method:

winget install GitHub.Copilot
brew install copilot-cli
npm install -g @github/copilot
gh copilot
Starting a Session

Launching Copilot CLI

copilot


Pick Up Where you left off

Session Continuity

Continue Last Session

Use copilot --continue to pick up exactly where you left off in your most recent Copilot CLI session.

copilot --continue

Resume Specific Session

With copilot --resume, you can view a list of past sessions and select which one to load, maintaining context across multiple projects.

copilot --resume
Model Selection

Choosing Your AI Model

/model


Command Auto-Complete

The CLI features intelligent auto-complete functionality. As soon as you type a forward slash, a helpful menu appears showing all available commands. This makes it easy to discover features and reduces the need to memorize command syntax.

HELP

Start Args & Session Commands

Startup Arguments

Displays all available command-line arguments for configuring Copilot CLI on startup. 

copilot help [topic]

Interactive Commands

Inside an active Copilot CLI session, the /help command provides a list of interactive shortcuts and in-app commands. 

/help

Demo Time

Warning

--yolo: Extreme Autonomy

When using —yolo, Copilot CLI operates without any safety nets. It grants all necessary permissions to execute commands, modify files, and access URLs without requiring explicit user approval. This hands complete control to the AI.

copilot --yolo
Changelog

Stay Current with Updates

To keep up with the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes for GitHub Copilot CLI, you can view the detailed changelog:

https://github.blog/changelog/2026/?label=client-apps,copilot

DEMO CODE

Example 1: CSV Parser

100% coded using copilot cli.

Features:

  • Parse: Take a comma delimited column in a CSV file and create individual files for each value and all records that contain it.
  • Diff: Take two CSV files and write out the differences just like Parse does but only for the differences
  • Clear: Remove all of the parsed files for a given CSV file
  • Headers Only: Just show the column headers
  • Interactive Prompts: Guide you through running the application
  • Tests: Full test suites for all features

USER_PROMPTS.md has all of the prompts given

session_sanitized.md is the full session

project_spec.md is a full spec created by copilot.

DEMO CODE

Example 2: .NET Drip Newletter RSS Feed

100% copilot coded.

Add RSS Feed and Archive file for each published newsletter

Note: I have never used Astro before and didn't have access to the markdown content files

SLIDES

copilot-cli.digitaldrummerj.me



Thank You!

Feel free to connect with me and explore more insights at:

https://digitaldrummerj.me

BONUS

The Encore Slides

We've prepared a few extra cards with even more insights. While we might not cover them all live, they're here for you to explore at your leisure!

STRUCTURED CODING

Plan then build

/plan [prompt]
  • Analyzes your request and asks clarifying questions
  • Understands scope and requirements
  • Builds a structured implementation plan before writing code
  • Uses conversational follow-ups to confirm assumptions

Press Shift + Tab to cycle in and out of plan mode.

AI CODE REVIEW

Deep Dive Code Review

Intelligent, context-aware analysis of your code.

  • Security vulnerabilities: Identifies potential weaknesses that could be exploited.
  • Performance bottlenecks: Pinpoints inefficient code sections that might slow down your application.
  • Code style and best practices: Suggests improvements for readability, maintainability, and adherence to established coding standards.
/review [prompt]
AI CODE REVIEW

Current Directory Changes

AI-powered review of the changes in your current working directory. 

/diff
Key Features

Copilot CLI

Execute planning and coding tasks with an agent that knows your repos, issues, and PRs

Inherits your policies and enforces explicit approvals, so you stay in control with full transparency.

Included with Copilot Pro, Plus Pro, Business, and Enterprise

authentication

Authentication with Github Account


/login
/logout
Understanding the Interface

The Interface

Key Elements:

  1. Logged In User Context
  1. Current Folder
  1. Active AI Model
  1. Command Input
  1. Exit Command
  1. Recent Commands

Frequently Asked Questions

Let's address the most common questions about GitHub Copilot CLI to help you get started with confidence.

Editor Compatibility

Can I use this with any code editor?

Copilot CLI operates independently in your terminal and can modify files that any editor can then display, making it useful regardless of your editor choice, especially for editors that don't have official Copilot extensions.

Custom Tool Extensions

Can I extend Copilot CLI with custom tools?

Yes! Copilot CLI supports Model Context Protocol (MCP) server integrations, allowing you to add custom capabilities and contextual richness tailored to your unique development environment.

This extensibility means you can integrate your own tools, APIs, and workflows directly into the Copilot experience.

Will Copilot CLI integrate directly into VSCode?

Direct integration into VSCode is not available in the current public preview release, but it is being actively considered in the roadmap for future releases.

Security

Security and Compliance

Policy Inheritance

Automatically adopts your organization's governance policies without additional configuration.

Trusted Infrastructure

Built on GitHub's proven platform with enterprise-grade security standards.

Compliance Ready

Meets the same compliance requirements that protect millions of developers.

File Modification and Command Execution

Every file change and command execution requires your explicit approval before being applied. You maintain complete visibility and control over all autonomous actions that Copilot CLI suggests.

Made with