---
title: "GitHub Copilot CLI"
authors:
  - GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
lastUpdated: 2026-08-03
---

**[GitHub Copilot CLI](https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli)** puts GitHub Copilot in your terminal as an agentic coding assistant. It explores codebases, generates code, runs commands, and connects to external tools — all from the command line, so you can stay in the flow without switching to a graphical editor.

Across these exercises you'll install and authenticate Copilot CLI, then give it project context with custom instructions before using plan mode to generate a feature deliberately. You'll connect the Playwright MCP server to test that feature in a real browser, then extend Copilot with reusable agent skills and custom agents. Finally, you'll explore slash commands for managing context, models, and sharing, and wrap up with a review of what you've built.

## Exercises

| Exercise | Topic | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| [0. Prerequisites][ex0] | Setup | Create your repository and codespace |
| [1. Installing Copilot CLI][ex1] | Installation | Install and authenticate Copilot CLI |
| [2. Custom instructions][ex2] | Context | Add an instruction and see how Copilot CLI follows it |
| [3. Generating Code][ex3] | Code Generation | Use plan mode and generate features |
| [4. Testing with Playwright MCP][ex4] | External Tools | Add the Playwright MCP server and test your feature in a browser |
| [5. Agent Skills][ex5] | Skills | Enhance Copilot with specialized skills |
| [6. Custom Agents][ex6] | Agents | Review and use custom agents |
| [7. Slash Commands][ex7] | CLI Features | Explore context, models, sharing, and optional delegation to cloud agent |
| [8. Review][ex8] | Summary | Review key concepts and next steps |

## Prerequisites

Before attending this workshop, please ensure you have:

- [ ] A GitHub account with an active **Copilot Student, Pro, Pro+, Business, or Enterprise** plan
- [ ] Basic familiarity with terminal/command line operations
- [ ] Git installed and configured

> [!TIP]
> No paid plan? Verified students can get GitHub Copilot for free through [GitHub Education][callout-student-plan-education]. The **Copilot Student** plan includes the agent, MCP, code review, and Copilot CLI features this workshop uses — so you can complete every harness with it.

> [!NOTE]
> If you are using Copilot Business or Copilot Enterprise, ensure your admin has enabled Copilot CLI for use.

## Get Started

**[Start with Exercise 0: Prerequisites →][ex0]**

[ex0]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/0-prerequisites/
[ex1]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/1-install-copilot-cli/
[ex2]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/2-custom-instructions/
[ex3]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/3-generating-code/
[ex4]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/4-mcp/
[ex5]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/5-agent-skills/
[ex6]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/6-custom-agents/
[ex7]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/7-slash-commands/
[ex8]: /learning-hub/copilot-workshops/cli/8-review/
[callout-student-plan-education]: https://github.com/education/students
