From df00a833561fa5c302384ca6159ae8a679687195 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dan Wahlin Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:04:56 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] docs: add April 2026 Copilot CLI feature updates - Add /env slash command to ch01 reference table (v1.0.25) - Add --plan and --mode startup flags note to ch01 (v1.0.23) - Add skills field to agent YAML properties table in ch04 (v1.0.22) - Add MCP registry install (copilot mcp install) to ch06 (v1.0.25) Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> --- 01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md | 3 +++ 04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md | 6 +++++- 06-mcp-servers/README.md | 2 ++ 3 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md b/01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md index 1f54dc4..41af92c 100644 --- a/01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md +++ b/01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md @@ -320,6 +320,8 @@ Proceed with implementation? [Y/n] > 📚 **Autopilot mode**: You may have noticed Shift+Tab cycles through a third mode called **Autopilot**. In autopilot mode, Copilot works through an entire plan without waiting for your input after each step — like handing a task to a colleague and saying "let me know when you're finished." The typical workflow is plan → accept → autopilot, which means you need to be good at writing plans first. You can also launch directly into autopilot with `copilot --autopilot`. Get comfortable with Interactive and Plan modes first, then see the [official docs](https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/copilot-cli/autopilot) when you're ready. +> 💡 **Start in a specific mode**: You can launch Copilot directly in any mode using flags: `copilot --plan` starts in Plan mode, `copilot --autopilot` starts in Autopilot mode, and `copilot --mode interactive` (or `plan` / `autopilot`) lets you specify the mode explicitly. This is handy when you already know what you want to do. + --- ### Mode 3: Programmatic Mode @@ -445,6 +447,7 @@ That's it for getting started! As you become comfortable, you can explore additi | Command | What It Does | |---------|--------------| | `/changelog` | Display changelog for CLI versions | +| `/env` | Show your loaded environment (instructions, MCP servers, skills, agents, plugins) | | `/feedback` | Submit feedback to GitHub | | `/help` | Show all available commands | | `/theme` | View or set terminal theme | diff --git a/04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md b/04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md index a84d889..7c5a196 100644 --- a/04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md +++ b/04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md @@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ When reviewing code, always check for: - Hardcoded secrets ``` -> 💡 **Required vs Optional**: The `description` field is required. Other fields like `name`, `tools`, and `model` are optional. +> 💡 **Required vs Optional**: The `description` field is required. Other fields like `name`, `tools`, `model`, and `skills` are optional. ## Where to put agent files @@ -507,8 +507,12 @@ You are a Python specialist focused on code quality and best practices. | `name` | No | Display name (defaults to filename) | | `description` | **Yes** | What the agent does - helps Copilot understand when to suggest it | | `tools` | No | List of allowed tools (omit = all tools available). See tool aliases below. | +| `model` | No | AI model to use for this agent (e.g., `claude-sonnet-4.5`) | +| `skills` | No | List of skill names to eagerly load into the agent's context at startup | | `target` | No | Limit to `vscode` or `github-copilot` only | +> 💡 **The `skills` field**: When you add a `skills` list to an agent, those skills are automatically loaded when the agent starts — you don't need to invoke them manually. This is useful when your agent always needs specific instructions (e.g., a test-writer agent that always loads your `pytest-gen` skill). See [Chapter 05](../05-skills/README.md) for how to create skills. + ### Tool Aliases Use these names in the `tools` list: diff --git a/06-mcp-servers/README.md b/06-mcp-servers/README.md index 391ed95..fe921a0 100644 --- a/06-mcp-servers/README.md +++ b/06-mcp-servers/README.md @@ -919,6 +919,8 @@ copilot mcp enable filesystem copilot mcp disable context7 ``` +> 💡 **Install from the registry**: You can also install MCP servers from the official registry with guided setup. Run `copilot mcp install` and Copilot will walk you through picking a server and configuring it interactively — no manual JSON editing required. This is the easiest way to add a new server you've heard about. + > 💡 **When to use which?** Use `/mcp` slash commands when you're already in a chat session. Use `copilot mcp` from the terminal when you want to quickly check or change your server settings before starting a session. For most of this course, `/mcp show` is all you need. The other commands become useful as you manage more servers over time.