Copilot CLI: Install, Update, Authenticate, and Launch

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Commands for installing GitHub Copilot CLI, authenticating, updating, and starting interactive or wrapped sessions.

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## Install Copilot CLI

Install with npm

↗#

npm install -g @github/copilot

# Install Copilot CLI globally with npm.

Install with npm when ignore-scripts is enabled

↗#

npm_config_ignore_scripts=false npm install -g @github/copilot

# Force npm to run install scripts.

Install the prerelease build with npm

↗#

npm install -g @github/copilot@prerelease

# Install the prerelease channel.

Install with Homebrew

↗#

brew install copilot-cli

# Install Copilot CLI on macOS or Linux via Homebrew.

Install prerelease with Homebrew

↗#

brew install copilot-cli@prerelease

# Install the prerelease formula.

Install with WinGet

↗#

winget install GitHub.Copilot

# Install Copilot CLI on Windows.

Install prerelease with WinGet

↗#

winget install GitHub.Copilot.Prerelease

# Install the prerelease package on Windows.

## Install with script or via gh

Install using the official curl script

↗#

curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | bash

# Download and install Copilot CLI with curl.

Install using the official wget script

↗#

wget -qO- https://gh.io/copilot-install | bash

# Download and install Copilot CLI with wget.

Install a specific version to a custom prefix

↗#

curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | VERSION="v0.0.369" PREFIX="$HOME/custom" bash

# Pin a version and custom install directory.

Launch Copilot CLI through gh

↗#

gh copilot

# Use the GitHub CLI wrapper to run Copilot.

Run a one-off prompt through gh

↗#

gh copilot -p "Summarize this week's commits" --allow-tool "shell(git)"

# Pass a prompt through the GitHub CLI wrapper.

Pass through Copilot help flags from gh

↗#

gh copilot -- --help

# Forward flags after `--`.

Remove the gh-downloaded Copilot CLI

↗#

gh copilot --remove

# Delete the Copilot binary that gh downloaded.

## First-run and lifecycle commands

Start the interactive UI

↗#

copilot

# Launch Copilot CLI in interactive mode.

Sign out of Copilot CLI

↗#

copilot logout

# Remove stored credentials.

Show version information

↗#

copilot version

# Print version details and check for updates.

Update Copilot CLI

↗#

copilot update

# Download and install the latest version.

Open help topics

↗#

copilot help commands

# Show help for commands, config, environment, logging, or permissions.

More in Copilot CLI

Copilot CLI Troubleshooting: Authentication, Access, Policies, and Recovery

Commands for diagnosing Copilot CLI authentication failures, token issues, wrapper install problems, and access-policy errors.

Copilot CLI: Hooks, MCP Servers, Skills, and Customization

JSON snippets and commands for extending GitHub Copilot CLI with hooks, MCP servers, skills, and repository initialization.

Copilot CLI: Automation, Programmatic Mode, Scripts, and GitHub Actions

Programmatic Copilot CLI usage patterns for scripts, CI jobs, GitHub Actions, and reusable automation flows.

Copilot CLI: Permissions, Config, Trusted Folders, and Environment Variables

Commands and JSON snippets for Copilot CLI permissions, tool access, trusted directories, environment variables, and persistent configuration.

Copilot CLI: Slash Commands, Shortcuts, Review, and Session Control

Slash commands and keyboard shortcuts for managing sessions, reviewing changes, sharing output, and using advanced agent features in Copilot CLI.

Copilot CLI: Prompting, Interactive Use, and Core Workflows

Commands and prompt patterns for interactive use, one-shot prompts, file-aware context, and common terminal Copilot workflows.

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