Slash commands in Copilot CLI: a practical reference
Copilot CLI slash commands are prefixed instructions — like /clear or /session — that trigger context-aware actions without requiring a fresh natural language prompt each time. Type / inside Copilot CLI to list available commands. The same slash-command pattern also works in Copilot Chat and agent mode.
Unlike free-form prompts, slash commands produce deterministic, repeatable behavior. That makes them useful for controlling what files Copilot can read, which model answers, and how sessions behave — all without leaving the terminal.
Managing sessions
/clear — reset conversation context
Copilot accumulates context over a session. When that history starts polluting suggestions — say, after switching repos or tasks — /clear wipes the slate clean. Use it when responses reference old files or when you need to prevent context bleed between projects.
/exit and /quit — end the session
Both commands terminate the CLI session cleanly. Useful when wrapping up work or logging out of a shared terminal.
/session and /usage — view session metrics
These display usage data for the current session, which helps with audits, troubleshooting, and tracking model or tool activity. Output resembles:
Session ID: 221b5571-3998-47e1-b57a-552cf9078947
Started: 11/24/2025, 11:18:54 AM
Last Modified: 11/24/2025, 11:18:54 AM
Duration: 50s
Working Directory: /Users/jacklynlee31
Usage:
Total usage est: 0 Premium requests
Total duration (API): 0s
Total duration (wall): 50s
Total code changes: 0 lines added, 0 lines removed
Hit Enter or Esc to continueControlling file and directory scope
/add-dir — grant directory access
Restricting Copilot to specific directories keeps responses relevant and protects sensitive files. Run /add-dir to add a directory to the allowed list:
/add-dir <directory>The command accepts the directory path directly, as in this example adding the Documents directory:
/add-dir /Users/jacklynlee31/DocumentsCopilot confirms the addition:
Added directory to allowed list: /Users/jacklynlee31/Documents/list-dirs — show allowed directories
Use this to verify what Copilot can currently access — handy for troubleshooting permission issues or reviewing scope before running other commands.
/list-dirsThe output lists permitted directories:
Allowed directories for file access:
1. /Users/jacklynlee31
2. /Users/jacklynlee31/Documents
Total: 2 directories/cwd — show or change working directory
Keeps Copilot anchored to the part of the codebase you’re actively working in. Running it without arguments shows the current working directory:
/cwdCopilot returns the path:
Current working directory: /Users/jacklynlee31/DownloadsSupply a directory argument to switch location:
/cwd /Users/jacklynlee31/DownloadsCopilot confirms the new path:
Changed working directory to: /Users/jacklynlee31/DownloadsConfiguration commands
/model — select an AI model
Multiple models are supported. Start with the default and experiment when you notice differences in speed, reasoning depth, or cost. Running /model opens an interactive selection menu:
/modelThe menu lists available models; select with number keys or arrows and press Enter:
Choose the AI model to use for Copilot CLI. The selected model will be persisted and used for future sessions.
❯ 1. Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1x) (default) (current)
2. Claude Opus 4.5 (Preview) (1x)
3. Claude Haiku 4.5 (0.33x)
4. Claude Sonnet 4 (1x)
5. GPT-5.1 (1x)
6. GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini (0.33x)
7. GPT-5.1-Codex (1x)
8. GPT-5 (1x)
9. GPT-5-Mini (0x)
10. GPT-4.1 (0x)
11. Gemini 3 Pro (Preview) (1x)
12. Cancel (Esc)You can also bypass the menu with /model [model].
/theme [show|set|list] [auto|dark|light] — configure the terminal theme
Use show to check the current preference, set to choose auto, dark, or light, and list to see available themes:
/theme set darkAfter setting the theme, Copilot asks you to restart the CLI to apply it:
● Theme preference set to: dark
The new theme will be applied on the next restart of the CLI./terminal-setup — enable multiline input
Enables multiline prompts, which helps with complex instructions, large refactors, and improved formatting during extended edits:
/terminal-setup/reset-allowed-tools — revert tool permissions
Rolls back the allowed tools set to a clean slate. Useful after role changes, demos, or experiments:
/reset-allowed-toolsCopilot shows a confirmation prompt:
The list of allowed tools has been reset.External services and collaboration
/agent — pick a custom agent
Selects among custom agents configured for specialized tasks or integrations. Useful when switching agent configurations per repo, org, or project, or when testing third-party agents.
/delegate <prompt> — create an AI-generated pull request
This command automates code changes and opens a PR directly from the terminal. It’s intended for changes spanning multiple repos or for kicking off reviewable work quickly. For example, generating a PR to add dark mode support:
/delegate Add dark mode support/share [file|gist] [path] — export a session
Captures the full session history for async handoffs, documenting decisions, or attaching context to issues and pull requests:
/share file /Users/jacklynlee31/DesktopCopilot confirms the export location:
● Session shared successfully to: /Users/jacklynlee31/Desktop/copilot-session-221b5571-3998-47e1-b57a-552cf9078947.md/login and /logout — authenticate
Use these to rotate credentials or switch accounts on shared devices.
/mcp [show|add|edit|delete|disable|enable] — manage MCP servers
Manages MCP server configuration in-place: show lists available servers, add creates a new one, edit modifies an existing entry, delete removes a server, and disable/enable toggle availability without removing configuration.
/user [show|list|switch] — manage the GitHub account
Handles account switching for multi-user machines, service accounts, or rotating between organizations:
/user show/user list/user switch/help — list all commands
Shows every available slash command, useful for discovering new features or serving as an in-CLI quick reference.
A practical path forward
Slash commands turn repetitive terminal work into repeatable, controlled actions. The key advantage is explicit control: you decide what context the agent sees, what scope it operates within, and what it automates.
If you're just starting, get comfortable with the three most foundational commands first — /clear, /cwd, and /help. Once those feel natural, introduce additional commands gradually as your specific workflows demand them.
The feature set is still evolving, and your usage patterns directly inform future development. When something works well or falls short, use /feedback to tell the team what you're seeing.
Quick reference
| Slash command | What it does | When to use |
|---|---|---|
/clear | Clears session history/context | Shift tasks, reset Copilot’s context, resolve confusion |
/exit, /quit | Exits the Copilot session | Finish a session, reset the CLI |
/session, /usage | Shows current session and usage stats | Audit activity, monitor Copilot CLI usage |
/add-dir <directory> | Adds allowed directory for file access | Limit scope, improve security/auditing |
/list-dirs | Lists directories Copilot can access | Confirm or manage file access permissions |
/cwd [directory] | Changes/outputs the working directory | Navigate projects, limit Copilot context |
/model [model] | Changes Copilot AI model for the CLI | Experiment, troubleshoot, optimize model behavior |
/theme [show|set|list] | Manage terminal output theme | Customize for environment or team standards |
/reset-allowed-tools | Resets allowed external tools | Remove tool permissions, reset for audits |
/agent | Selects a custom Copilot agent | When using specialized agents by repo/org |
/delegate <prompt> | Delegates changes as a PR in a remote repository | Automate changes, multi-repo workflows |
/share [file|gist] | Shares session as markdown or GitHub Gist | Document sessions, async handoff, team sharing |
/login, /logout | Sign in/out of Copilot in the CLI | Change user, rotate credentials |
/mcp [show|add|edit|...] | MCP server configuration management | Update CI/CD proxy config, enterprise setups |
/user [show|list|switch] | GitHub user management | Multi-user or team CLI management |
/help | Lists all CLI commands and shortcuts | Onboarding, discoverability |
/feedback | Submit feedback about Copilot CLI | Share suggestions or bug reports with GitHub |
You can start using Copilot slash commands by installing Copilot CLI or checking the official documentation.
