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sync: update cli-for-beginners ch03 and ch05 from upstream (#2203)
Chapter 03 (Development Workflows): - Add /branch and /fork session-branching section to Workflow 5 - Update /diff description to note it works in non-git folders - Update Workflow 5 summary to include /branch Chapter 05 (Skills): - Add argument-hint SKILL.md frontmatter property to properties table - Expand Managing Skills section with copilot skill terminal command (Option 1) - Document /skill as shortcut alias for /skills (Option 2) - Update Key Takeaways to reflect argument-hint and copilot skill Synced from upstream commits: - db287eefea68 (docs: add copilot skill CLI command, /branch alias) - aec96cfd6175 (Update README for clarity on branching commands) - 296db3e76acf (Rephrase skills management instructions for clarity) Co-authored-by: github-actions[bot] <41898282+github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
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@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: '03 · Development Workflows'
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description: 'Mirror the source development workflow chapter covering review, debugging, testing, and git support.'
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authors:
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- GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
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lastUpdated: 2026-03-20
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lastUpdated: 2026-07-03
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---
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@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ copilot
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<a id="workflow-5-git-integration"></a>
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<details>
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<summary><strong>Workflow 5: Git Integration</strong> - Commit messages, PR descriptions, /pr, /delegate, and /diff</summary>
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<summary><strong>Workflow 5: Git Integration</strong> - Commit messages, PR descriptions, /pr, /delegate, /diff, and /branch</summary>
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<img src="/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/03/git-integration-swimlane-single.png" alt="Git Integration workflow: stage changes, generate message, commit, create PR." width="800"/>
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@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ This is great for well-defined tasks you want completed while you focus on other
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### Using /diff to Review Session Changes
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The `/diff` command shows all changes made during your current session. Use this slash command to see a visual diff of everything Copilot CLI has modified before you commit.
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The `/diff` command shows all changes made during your current session. Use this slash command to see a visual diff of everything Copilot CLI has modified before you commit. It also works in folders that aren't git repositories.
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```bash
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copilot
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@@ -700,6 +700,28 @@ copilot
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# Great for reviewing before committing
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```
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### Branching Your Session with /branch or /fork
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Sometimes you want to explore two different approaches to a problem without losing your original conversation. The `/branch` command (also available as `/fork`) creates a copy of your current session so you can try a different direction and then compare results.
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```bash
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copilot
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> Fix the find_by_author function to support partial matches
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# You want to try a different approach — branch first!
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> /branch
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# Now you're in a new session copy. Try your alternative approach:
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> Fix find_by_author using a different regex-based strategy
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# If you don't like the result, switch back to your original session using /session
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```
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> 💡 **`/branch` and `/fork` are the same**: Both commands do identical things. `/branch` was added as a more intuitive name. Use whichever makes more sense to you.
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> 💡 **When to branch**: Branching is great when you're unsure which approach is better and want to keep both options open.
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</details>
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---
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@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: '05 · Automate Repetitive Tasks'
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description: 'Mirror the source chapter on skills that load automatically for repeated GitHub Copilot CLI workflows.'
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authors:
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- GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
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lastUpdated: 2026-05-15
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lastUpdated: 2026-07-03
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---
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@@ -364,6 +364,9 @@ Provide issues as a numbered list with severity:
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| `name` | **Yes** | Unique identifier (lowercase, hyphens for spaces) |
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| `description` | **Yes** | What the skill does and when Copilot should use it |
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| `license` | No | License that applies to this skill |
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| `argument-hint` | No | Short hint shown to users describing what argument the skill expects (e.g., `"file path or code snippet"`) |
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> 💡 **What is `argument-hint`?** When users invoke a skill directly (e.g., `/security-audit`), the `argument-hint` text appears as a placeholder showing what to type next — like a mini help prompt. For example, setting `argument-hint: "file path to review"` tells the user to provide a file path after the skill name.
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> 📖 **Official docs**: [About Agent Skills](https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/about-agent-skills)
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@@ -482,9 +485,29 @@ Discover installed skills, find community skills, and share your own.
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---
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## Managing Skills with the `/skills` Command
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## Managing Skills with the `copilot skill` Command and `/skills`
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Use the `/skills` command to manage your installed skills:
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Copilot CLI gives you two ways to manage skills. You can do it directly from the terminal before starting Copilot or from inside a Copilot session.
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### Option 1: `copilot skill` (Terminal Command)
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The `copilot skill` subcommand lets you manage skills directly from your terminal, without opening an interactive Copilot session. This is handy for scripting, quick checks, or adding skills before you start working.
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```bash
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# See all installed skills
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copilot skill list
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# Add a skill from a local file, URL, or directory
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copilot skill add .github/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md
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copilot skill add https://example.com/skills/security-audit/SKILL.md
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# Remove a skill by name
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copilot skill remove security-audit
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```
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### Option 2: `/skills` (Inside Copilot Session)
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Once you're in an interactive Copilot session, use `/skills` (or its shortcut `/skill`) to manage skills without leaving:
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| Command | What It Does |
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|---------|--------------|
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@@ -494,11 +517,23 @@ Use the `/skills` command to manage your installed skills:
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| `/skills remove <name>` | Disable or uninstall a skill |
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| `/skills reload` | Reload skills after editing SKILL.md files |
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> 💡 **`/skill` shortcut**: You can type `/skill` instead of `/skills` — they're interchangeable. For example, `/skill list` works the same as `/skills list`.
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> 💡 **Remember**: You don't need to "activate" skills for each prompt. Once installed, skills are **automatically triggered** when your prompt matches their description. These commands are for managing which skills are available, not for using them.
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### Example: View Your Skills
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```bash
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# From the terminal (no interactive session needed):
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copilot skill list
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Available skills:
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- security-audit: Security-focused code review checking OWASP Top 10
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- generate-tests: Generate comprehensive unit tests with edge cases
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- code-checklist: Team code quality checklist
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...
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# Or from inside a Copilot session:
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copilot
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> /skills list
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@@ -862,9 +897,10 @@ Run `/skills reload` after creating or editing skills to ensure changes are pick
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1. **Skills are automatic**: Copilot loads them when your prompt matches the skill's description
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2. **Direct invocation**: You can also invoke skills directly with `/skill-name` as a slash command
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3. **SKILL.md format**: YAML frontmatter (name, description, optional license) plus markdown instructions
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3. **SKILL.md format**: YAML frontmatter (name, description, optional license, argument-hint) plus markdown instructions
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4. **Location matters**: `.github/skills/` for project/team sharing, `~/.copilot/skills/` for personal use
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5. **Description is key**: Write descriptions that match how you naturally ask questions
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6. **Two ways to manage skills**: Use `copilot skill` from the terminal or `/skills` (shortcut: `/skill`) inside a session
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> 📋 **Quick Reference**: See the [GitHub Copilot CLI command reference](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/cli-command-reference) for a complete list of commands and shortcuts.
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