# How to Install GitHub Copilot CLI (npm, WinGet, Homebrew)

> Install with npm install -g @github/copilot (needs Node.js 22 or newer), winget install GitHub.Copilot on Windows, or brew install --cask copilot-cli on macOS and Linux. Run copilot in your project folder, then type /login to sign in with GitHub. It needs a Copilot plan; Free, Pro and Pro+ all include it. Update with copilot update.

Source page: https://aiwiserank.com/guides/github-copilot-cli-install · Last checked: 2026-10-29 · Tool: GitHub Copilot

## What GitHub Copilot CLI is

GitHub Copilot CLI is Copilot as an agent in your terminal. You describe a task in plain words and it reads your files, edits code and runs commands, asking for your approval before it uses a tool you haven't allowed yet.

It replaces the older **`gh copilot`** extension for the GitHub CLI, which GitHub deprecated on October 25, 2025. If you followed an older guide that tells you to run `gh extension install github/gh-copilot`, use the steps below instead.

## Before you start

| You need | Details |
|---|---|
| A Copilot plan | Free ($0), Pro ($10/mo) and Pro+ ($39/mo) all include Copilot CLI. On Business or Enterprise, your admin must not have turned it off. |
| Node.js 22 or newer | Only for the npm install method. Check with `node --version`. |
| PowerShell 6 or newer | Windows only. Windows PowerShell 5.1, the version built into Windows, isn't enough. You can also use WSL. |

Supported systems: Linux, macOS, and Windows (PowerShell or WSL).

## Step 1: Install it

Pick **one** method.

**npm (any system):**

```shell
npm install -g @github/copilot
```

If your `~/.npmrc` has `ignore-scripts=true`, the install won't finish setting up. Run this instead:

```shell
npm_config_ignore_scripts=false npm install -g @github/copilot
```

**WinGet (Windows):**

```shell
winget install GitHub.Copilot
```

**Homebrew (macOS and Linux):**

```shell
brew install --cask copilot-cli
```

**Install script (macOS and Linux):**

```shell
curl -fsSL https://gh.io/copilot-install | bash
```

**Direct download:** ready-made executables are on the [copilot-cli releases page](https://github.com/github/copilot-cli/releases/).

Each method also has a **prerelease** channel for early features: `npm install -g @github/copilot@prerelease`, `winget install GitHub.Copilot.Prerelease` or `brew install --cask copilot-cli@prerelease`.

## Step 2: Start it and sign in

1. Open a terminal **in your project folder**. Copilot works on the folder you start it from.
2. Run:

   ```shell
   copilot
   ```

3. Confirm that you **trust the files** in this folder. Copilot asks this every time you start in a new folder, because it will read and may change files below it. Don't start it in your home folder or anywhere with files you don't want it to touch.
4. Type `/login` and follow the prompts to sign in with your GitHub account.

**Signing in without a browser (servers, CI):** create a [fine-grained personal access token](https://github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new):
- choose your personal account as the owner, not an organization;
- under **Account permissions**, add **Copilot Requests**.

Then put the token in one of these environment variables. Copilot checks them in this order: `COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN`, `GH_TOKEN`, `GITHUB_TOKEN`.

## Step 3: Your first task

Type a request in plain words, for example "explain what this project does" or "add input validation to the signup form". Before Copilot uses a tool it hasn't been allowed to use, such as running a shell command or writing a file, it asks for your approval.

Useful commands inside a session:

| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| `/help` | Help on a topic |
| `/clear` | Start a new conversation |
| `/ask` | Ask a quick side question without adding it to the conversation |
| `/settings` | Change CLI settings |
| `/tasks` | See and manage running tasks |

Useful options when starting it:

| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| `copilot -p "<prompt>"` | Run a single prompt without the interactive screen |
| `copilot --continue` | Pick up your most recent session |
| `copilot --resume` | Choose an earlier session to resume |
| `copilot --allow-all-tools` | Skip approval prompts. Only use this somewhere Copilot can't do damage, such as a throwaway container. |

## How usage is counted

Every interaction uses **AI credits**, based on how many tokens are processed. That applies to the interactive screen and to `-p` prompts. The **Free** plan has limited chat and agent usage and entry-level models only, so long agent sessions use it up quickly. Pro or Pro+ give you more usage and stronger models.

## Update it

```shell
copilot update
```

If you installed with WinGet or Homebrew, you can also update the usual way: `winget upgrade GitHub.Copilot` or `brew upgrade --cask copilot-cli`.

## Common problems

- **`copilot: command not found` after an npm install.** npm's global folder isn't on your PATH, or Node.js is older than 22. Run `node --version`, then `npm prefix -g`, and add that folder's `bin` (on Windows, the folder itself) to your PATH.
- **The npm install finishes but `copilot` won't start.** Check for `ignore-scripts=true` in `~/.npmrc` and reinstall with the `npm_config_ignore_scripts=false` command above.
- **Errors on Windows in the default PowerShell.** Windows PowerShell 5.1 isn't supported. Install PowerShell 7 (`winget install Microsoft.PowerShell`) and run `copilot` from **pwsh**, or use WSL.
- **"Not authorized" or a plan error after `/login`.** Your account has no active Copilot plan, or your organization has turned Copilot CLI off. The Free plan is enough to start; on a company account, ask your admin.
- **A token in an environment variable is ignored.** The token must be fine-grained, owned by your personal account, with the **Copilot Requests** permission. Also check which variable is set: `COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN` wins over `GH_TOKEN`, which wins over `GITHUB_TOKEN`.
- **You still have the old extension.** Remove it with `gh extension remove gh-copilot` so the old `gh copilot` command doesn't get confused with the new `copilot` command.

## Sources

- https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/set-up/install-copilot-cli
- https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli
- https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/copilot-cli-reference/cli-command-reference
- https://github.com/features/copilot/plans
- https://github.com/github/gh-copilot