Alvin Lang
Jan 21, 2026 20:45
GitHub CLI now includes native Copilot CLI support, eliminating the deprecated extension. Developers can run AI-powered terminal assistance with a single command.
GitHub has streamlined access to its AI coding assistant by integrating Copilot CLI directly into the GitHub CLI, allowing developers to run gh copilot without installing a separate extension. The change, announced January 21, 2026, follows the deprecation of the standalone GitHub Copilot in the CLI extension.
The integration matters for the roughly 20 million Copilot users who split their time between IDE and terminal work. Previously, accessing Copilot’s AI capabilities from the command line required installing and maintaining a separate extension—an extra step that created friction for developers already juggling multiple tools.
What Changed
Running gh copilot now automatically installs and launches the Copilot CLI if it isn’t already present. The tool remains in public preview, meaning features could shift, but the core functionality is live: natural language queries for code generation, debugging assistance, and contextual help that understands your repository structure.
Copilot CLI operates independently of any specific editor. It modifies files directly, which your IDE of choice then displays—useful for developers who prefer Vim, Emacs, or terminal-based workflows over VS Code.
Practical Applications
The tool handles scenarios where context-switching to an IDE creates unnecessary overhead. Legacy codebase navigation, cross-platform environment setup, and multi-step implementations work particularly well in terminal-native workflows. Think scaffolding a new project, debugging a Docker configuration, or understanding an unfamiliar repository’s structure without leaving your terminal session.
Pricing Context
Access requires an active Copilot subscription. Individual developers pay $10 monthly for Pro or $39 for Pro+, while business tiers run $19-$39 per user per month. The CLI integration doesn’t change pricing—it simply removes installation friction for existing subscribers.
GitHub’s move arrives as the enterprise AI coding tools market accelerates toward a projected $47.3 billion by 2034. Reducing setup complexity helps GitHub defend its position against emerging competitors while enterprise adoption grows at roughly 75% annually.
Developers already using GitHub CLI can test the integration immediately. Those still on the deprecated extension should migrate before GitHub removes support entirely—no specific sunset date has been announced, but deprecated features rarely linger.
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