GitHub Copilot CLI Cheatsheet - gh copilot Full Reference

All GitHub Copilot CLI (gh copilot) commands in one place — from explaining commands to generating suggestions, aliases, and config — organized by scenario. Copy and go.

AI CLI·25 commands·Last updated 2026-08-21

Explain Commands 5

gh copilot explain "git rebase -i HEAD~3"

Explain a command in plain language

gh copilot explain "kubectl get pods"

Explain complex k8s commands

gh copilot explain "awk ..."

Explain awk/sed scripts

gh copilot explain "docker compose up -d"

Explain container orchestration

gh copilot explain ":(){:|:&};:"

Explain dangerous/obscure commands before running

Generate Suggestions 5

gh copilot suggest -t shell "backup mysql to s3"

Generate a shell command (-t shell)

gh copilot suggest -t gh "list my PRs"

Generate a gh command (-t gh)

gh copilot suggest -t git "undo last commit keep changes"

Generate a git command (-t git)

gh copilot suggest "monitor port 8080"

Infer type from context by default

gh copilot suggest -t shell "batch rename files"

Generate complex batch commands

Alias & Config 5

gh copilot alias

Emit a shell alias config snippet

gh copilot alias --help

Show alias subcommand help

gh copilot config

View/change Copilot CLI config

gh copilot config set <k> <v>

Set a config value

gh extension list | grep copilot

Confirm the copilot extension is installed

Integration & Debug 5

@copilot

Mention Copilot in GitHub issues/PRs

gh copilot suggest --help

Show all suggest options

gh auth status

Confirm gh is signed in (prereq for Copilot)

gh extension install github/gh-copilot

Install the copilot extension if missing

gh copilot explain "$(history 1)"

Explain the command you just typed

Tips 5

Explain after suggest

suggest then explain for double-checking

Set -t explicitly

shell/gh/git stated explicitly is more accurate

Alias to save typing

source the snippet from gh copilot alias

Explain dangerous commands

Explain obscure commands before running

Pair with gh workflows

Chain with gh pr/issue for automation

Tips

The GitHub Copilot CLI has the largest developer base (default in the gh ecosystem) but is "explain/suggest", not an autonomous agent — complementary to Claude Code-style tools.
Always explain after suggest to verify generated commands, especially `-t shell` that delete/modify or hit the network — understand before running.
Use `gh copilot alias` to emit aliases into your shell, shortening daily calls from `gh copilot suggest`.
Prereqs: `gh auth login` signed in with an active Copilot subscription; install via `gh extension install github/gh-copilot` if missing.

Official References

Commands are compiled from the official docs below. Click to verify the latest usage.

Maintained by LaoHand

Publicly updated on Aug 21, 2026, continuously proofread against official docs.

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