GitHub Copilot CLI Expert
Comprehensive knowledge of GitHub Copilot CLI installation, configuration, usage, and extensibility.
Purpose
This skill provides expert guidance on:
- Installing and updating GitHub Copilot CLI
- Authentication and configuration
- Core usage patterns and slash commands
- Extensibility (MCP servers, skills, custom agents)
- Troubleshooting common issues
When I Activate
Automatically when you mention:
- "copilot cli", "github copilot cli", "gh copilot"
- "install copilot", "update copilot"
- "copilot commands", "copilot slash commands"
- "copilot mcp", "add mcp server"
- "copilot skills", "create copilot skill"
- "copilot custom agent"
Quick Reference
Installation (All Platforms)
Always fetch latest version - use these commands:
| Platform | Command | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (WinGet) | winget install GitHub.Copilot | |
| macOS/Linux (Homebrew) | brew install copilot-cli | |
| All (npm, Node.js 22+) | npm install -g @github/copilot | |
| macOS/Linux (Script) | `curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install \ | bash` |
Prerelease versions: Add @prerelease or use GitHub.Copilot.Prerelease
Authentication
copilot # Launch and follow /login prompt
# OR use PAT with "Copilot Requests" permission:
export GH_TOKEN=your_tokenEssential Slash Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
/help | Show all commands and shortcuts |
/model | Select AI model (Claude Sonnet 4.5, GPT-5, etc.) |
/agent | Browse and select available agents |
/skills | Manage skills |
/mcp | Manage MCP server configuration |
/delegate [prompt] | Hand off to Copilot coding agent (creates PR) |
/compact | Reduce context window usage |
/context | Show token usage visualization |
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
@ | Mention files to include in context |
! | Execute shell command directly |
Esc | Cancel current operation |
Ctrl+C | Cancel / clear / exit |
Ctrl+L | Clear screen |
Ctrl+O | Expand/collapse timeline |
Extensibility Overview
- MCP Servers - Extend Copilot with external tools
- Skills - Task-specific instructions and scripts
- Custom Agents - Specialized agent profiles
- Custom Instructions - Repository-wide guidance
Navigation Guide
When to Read Supporting Files
reference.md - Read when you need:
- Complete slash command reference with all options
- Detailed MCP server configuration and JSON schema
- Full permissions system documentation
- Advanced configuration options
- Environment variables reference
examples.md - Read when you need:
- Step-by-step installation walkthroughs
- Working MCP server configurations
- Skill creation examples
- Custom agent examples
- Real-world usage scenarios
Core Concepts
MCP Servers (Model Context Protocol)
Copilot CLI includes GitHub MCP server by default. Add custom MCP servers:
/mcp add # Interactive configuration
/mcp show # List configured servers
/mcp edit <name> # Modify existing serverConfig stored in: ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json
Skills
Skills enhance Copilot's task performance with instructions and scripts.
Locations:
- Project:
.github/skills/or.claude/skills/ - Personal:
~/.copilot/skills/or~/.claude/skills/
Structure:
.github/skills/my-skill/
└── SKILL.md # Instructions with YAML frontmatterCustom Agents
Specialized agent profiles stored as Markdown files.
Locations:
- User:
~/.copilot/agents/ - Repository:
.github/agents/ - Organization:
.github-private/agents/
Custom Instructions
Repository-specific guidance for Copilot:
.github/copilot-instructions.md- Repository-wide.github/instructions/**/*.instructions.md- Path-specificAGENTS.md- Agent behavior instructions
Troubleshooting Quick Tips
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not installed | brew install copilot-cli or npm i -g @github/copilot |
| Not authenticated | Run /login in Copilot CLI |
| Policy disabled | Check org/enterprise Copilot settings |
| MCP server not loading | Verify ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json syntax |
| Skill not activating | Restart Copilot CLI, check SKILL.md YAML |
Version: 1.0.0 | Status: Public Preview Note: GitHub Copilot CLI is in public preview and subject to change.