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npm install -g @github/copilotNotes
Use this on any platform when Node.js 22 or later is available.
Copilot CLI: Install, Update, Authenticate, and Launch
Commands for installing GitHub Copilot CLI, authenticating, updating, and starting interactive or wrapped sessions.
Export
Copy the compact sheet, download it, or print it.
Download
`D` dense toggle · `C` copy all
Install Copilot CLI
Install the current CLI on major platforms and channels.
Install with npm when ignore-scripts is enabled
Force npm to run install scripts.
bashANYcopilotinstallnpm
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npm_config_ignore_scripts=false npm install -g @github/copilotNotes
Useful when your `~/.npmrc` sets `ignore-scripts=true`.
Install the prerelease build with npm
Install the prerelease channel.
bashANYcopilotinstallnpmprerelease
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npm install -g @github/copilot@prereleaseNotes
Good for testing features before they reach the stable channel.
bash
brew install copilot-cliNotes
A clean option for developer machines that already use Homebrew.
Install prerelease with Homebrew
Install the prerelease formula.
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brew install copilot-cli@prereleaseNotes
Lets you try upcoming releases from the Homebrew ecosystem.
powershell
winget install GitHub.CopilotNotes
Use this on Windows PowerShell v6 or later.
Install prerelease with WinGet
Install the prerelease package on Windows.
powershellANYcopilotinstallwingetprerelease
powershell
winget install GitHub.Copilot.PrereleaseNotes
Useful when validating new features on Windows runners or laptops.
Install with script or via gh
Bootstrap the CLI with the install script or invoke it through GitHub CLI.
Install using the official curl script
Download and install Copilot CLI with curl.
bashANYcopilotinstallcurl
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curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | bashNotes
Best for macOS and Linux when you want a fast bootstrap without npm or Homebrew.
Install using the official wget script
Download and install Copilot CLI with wget.
bashANYcopilotinstallwget
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wget -qO- https://gh.io/copilot-install | bashNotes
Equivalent to the curl installer when wget is your standard tool.
Install a specific version to a custom prefix
Pin a version and custom install directory.
bashANYcopilotinstallversionprefix
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curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | VERSION="v0.0.369" PREFIX="$HOME/custom" bashNotes
Useful in CI, sandboxes, or when testing a specific historical build.
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gh copilotNotes
If Copilot CLI is not already installed, `gh` can download and run it on supported platforms.
Run a one-off prompt through gh
Pass a prompt through the GitHub CLI wrapper.
bashANYghcopilotprompt
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gh copilot -p "Summarize this week's commits" --allow-tool "shell(git)"Notes
Good when you want GitHub CLI to handle installation and execution for you.
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gh copilot -- --helpNotes
Use `--` so `gh` does not interpret flags intended for Copilot CLI itself.
Remove the gh-downloaded Copilot CLI
Delete the Copilot binary that gh downloaded.
bashANYghcopilotremove
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gh copilot --removeNotes
Helpful when troubleshooting wrapper installs or forcing a clean download.
First-run and lifecycle commands
Authenticate, inspect version state, and update safely.
bash
copilotNotes
This is the default entry point for terminal-native Copilot sessions.
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copilot loginNotes
Use this outside the interactive slash-command flow when you want an explicit login step.
Authenticate against a specific GitHub host
Target a GitHub host explicitly during login.
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copilot login --host https://github.comNotes
Useful when switching between GitHub.com and a supported enterprise host.
bash
copilot logoutNotes
A clean reset when you need to swap users or re-run authentication.
bash
copilot versionNotes
Useful in support tickets, CI logs, and bug reports.
bash
copilot updateNotes
A common first fix when behavior differs from the latest docs or release notes.
Open help topics
Show help for commands, config, environment, logging, or permissions.
bashANYcopilothelp
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copilot help commandsNotes
Replace `commands` with another help topic such as `config` 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.