Using GitHub Copilot in the terminal

If you already use GitHub Copilot, there is an easy way to add Copilot to any terminal, not just inside VS Code:

1. Install the GitHub CLI.
2. Run gh auth login to log in to GitHub.
3. Run gh extension install github/gh-copilot to add the Copilot extension to the GitHub CLI.

You can then run gh copilot explain followed by a command in "" to explain the command. Or you can run gh copilot suggest with an explanation in "" of what you want to do in the terminal.

Copilot does not have permission to run any commands it suggests. There is a simple text-based UI that guides you through your options. The Copilot extension does not auto-update. You have to run gh extension upgrade gh-copilot to upgrade the extension.

Copilot support via the GitHub CLI is better than not having any AI support, but using Copilot within VS Code’s terminal gives you much better context and better UI ergonomics.