GitHub Copilot CLI is a terminal-based AI coding agent from GitHub. Through natural-language conversation it generates commands, explains code, and debugs, and it lets you work with GitHub issues and pull requests without leaving the terminal. Every file change and command execution requires your explicit approval before it runs. It supports extensions via the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a Fleet feature that runs multiple subagents in parallel, and switching between Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI models. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and is included with a GitHub Copilot subscription — so existing Copilot users can start using it at no extra cost.
Key Features
- Terminal work in natural language: Instructions like “find the cause of this error” or “fix the code so the tests pass” drive interactive command generation, code editing, and debugging
- Native GitHub integration: Reference and operate on issues and pull requests directly from the CLI. Authentication only requires your GitHub account, making it easy to work with your repository’s context
- Approval-based safety design: Before changing files or running commands, the agent always shows you what it intends to do and asks for approval — you stay in control of unintended changes
- Extensible via MCP: With Model Context Protocol support, you can connect external tools and data sources to the agent. GitHub’s official MCP server works out of the box
- Parallel execution with Fleet: Run the same task or separate tasks across multiple subagents in parallel and converge on a result. Execution modes such as plan mode (strategize before executing) are also available
- Model switching: Switch between Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and OpenAI (GPT) models mid-session with
/model, choosing the model that fits each task
Pricing
GitHub Copilot CLI is not a standalone product — it is included with every GitHub Copilot plan. Since June 2026, GitHub has moved from the previous premium-request system to token-based “AI Credits,” and CLI usage draws from this credit pool alongside Copilot chat and agents.
| Plan | Price | Monthly AI Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited allowance (up to 2,000 code completions/month) |
| Pro | $10/month | 1,500 |
| Pro+ | $39/month | 7,000 |
| Max | $100/month | 20,000 |
| Business | $19/seat/month | 1,900 per user |
| Enterprise | $39/seat/month | 3,900 per user |
Pricing is current as of August 2026. Check the official site for the latest pricing.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Available to GitHub Copilot subscribers with no additional contract, and authentication only requires a GitHub account
- Issue and pull request operations complete entirely within the terminal — a great fit for GitHub-centered development workflows
- The approval-based design makes it easy to prevent unintended changes from a runaway agent
- Switch between models from multiple vendors — Claude, Gemini, and GPT — under a single subscription
- The free plan lets you try it out on a small scale
⚠️ Cons
- Usage is metered by AI Credits, so heavy agent use can exhaust credits even on Pro or higher plans
- Frequent updates mean features and command structures change often, making it hard for documentation and guides to keep up
- Terminal-first operation can be a hurdle for beginners unfamiliar with the CLI
- Its integration strengths are harder to leverage in development centered on other hosts such as GitLab
Comparison with Similar Services
| Comparison | GitHub Copilot CLI | Claude Code | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | GitHub | Anthropic | OpenAI | |
| Models | Switch between Claude/Gemini/GPT | Claude family | Gemini family | GPT family |
| GitHub integration | Native (issue/PR operations) | Via gh CLI | Via extensions | Integration available |
| Pricing | Included in Copilot plans | Pro ($20/month) and up | Free tier available | Included in ChatGPT plans |
| MCP support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Who Is It For
- Developers who already subscribe to GitHub Copilot and want terminal agent work covered by that single subscription
- GitHub-centered teams that want to go from checking issues to fixing code to opening pull requests without leaving the terminal
- People who want to use Claude, Gemini, and GPT for different tasks without subscribing to multiple AI services separately
- Careful developers who want to delegate work to an agent while keeping approval of every change in their own hands
Summary
GitHub Copilot CLI is a terminal AI coding agent included with a GitHub Copilot subscription. Its native GitHub integration and multi-vendor model switching set it apart, and for Copilot users the ability to try it at no extra cost is a major advantage. Start by delegating small tasks on the free plan or your existing Copilot subscription, get a feel for credit consumption, and then move to full-scale use.