Agent skill
github-copilot-cli
Expert knowledge of GitHub Copilot CLI - installation, configuration, usage, MCP servers, skills, custom agents, and troubleshooting. Use when asking about copilot cli, installing copilot, gh copilot, copilot commands, MCP setup, or copilot extensibility.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/rysweet/amplihack/tree/main/.claude/skills/github-copilot-cli
SKILL.md
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_token
Essential 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 server
Config 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 frontmatter
Custom 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.
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