github-copilot-cli-expert

This skill provides expert guidance on:

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

Installation (Pick One)

```bash

# 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

```bash

# Homebrew

brew upgrade copilot-cli

# npm

npm update -g @github/copilot

# WinGet

winget upgrade GitHub.Copilot

# Check version

copilot --version

```

Before First Use

Requirements:

• Active GitHub Copilot subscription ([Plans](https://github.com/features/copilot/plans))
• Node.js 22+ (if installing via npm)
• PowerShell v6+ (Windows users)

Authentication:

```bash

# On first run, you'll be prompted to login

copilot

# Then: /login

# OR set environment variable

export GH_TOKEN="ghp_xxxxxxxxxxxx"

```

Essential Slash Commands

| Command | Description |

| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------ |

| /help | Show all commands and shortcuts |

| /model | Select AI model (claude-sonnet-4-5, gpt-5, etc.) |

| /mcp | Manage MCP server configuration |

| /agent | Browse and select custom agents |

| /delegate | Hand off task to Copilot coding agent on GitHub |

| /compact | Reduce context window usage |

| /context | Show token usage visualization |

| /usage | Display session metrics |

| /diff | Review changes made in session |

| /share | Export session to file or gist |

| /skills | Manage skills for enhanced capabilities |

Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |

| -------- | -------------------------------- |

| @file | Include file contents in context |

| !cmd | Execute shell command directly |

| Esc | Cancel operation / exit prompt |

| Ctrl+C | Cancel / clear / exit |

| Ctrl+L | Clear screen |

| Ctrl+O | Expand/collapse timeline |

| ↑/↓ | Navigate command history |

Auto-triggers when user mentions:

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

Explicitly invoke via:

```python

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

```

When to Read Supporting Files

reference.md - Read when you need:

• 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

examples.md - Read when you need:

• 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

1. Interactive vs Programmatic Mode

Interactive (default):

```bash

copilot

# Then type prompts naturally

```

Programmatic (scripting):

```bash

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

```

2. Custom Agents

Built-in agents: explore, task, plan, code-review

Custom agent locations:

• User-level: ~/.copilot/agents/
• Repository: .github/agents/
• Org/Enterprise: .github-private/agents/

3. MCP Servers

GitHub MCP server included by default. Add more:

```bash

/mcp add

# Fill details, Ctrl+S to save

```

Config stored in: ~/.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

Include Files in Prompts

```

Explain @config/settings.yml

Fix the bug in @src/app.js

```

Delegate to GitHub Agent

```bash

/delegate complete the API tests and create a PR

```

Resume Previous Session

```bash

copilot --resume # Cycle through sessions

copilot --continue # Resume most recent

```

Allow Tools Without Prompts

```bash

copilot --allow-all-tools

copilot --allow-tool 'shell(git)'

copilot --deny-tool 'shell(rm)'

```

Current Version: Check with copilot --version

Prerelease Channels:

```bash

brew install copilot-cli@prerelease

npm install -g @github/copilot@prerelease

winget install GitHub.Copilot.Prerelease

```

Releases: https://github.com/github/copilot-cli/releases/

Authentication Issues

```bash

/login # In interactive mode

# Or use PAT with GH_TOKEN/GITHUB_TOKEN env var

```

Context Window Full

```bash

/compact # Summarize conversation

/context # View token usage

```

MCP Server Not Loading

```bash

/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

"Copilot not found" after install:

• Restart terminal after installation
• Check PATH includes install location
• Run which copilot (Unix) or where copilot (Windows)

"No subscription" error:

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

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

• 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