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docs: sync cli-for-beginners ch01 with upstream (2026-07-13) (#2336)

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- Add /ask and /refine to Essential Slash Commands table
- Add /ask tip and /refine tip after the table
- Add /env to Agent Environment commands table
- Fix shell quoting example: use single quotes for $HOME
- Add 'Esc twice to cancel' to Common Mistakes table
- Update Summary key takeaway to list all essential commands
- Bump lastUpdated to 2026-07-17

Upstream commits:
- 349aac6: fix shell quoting in Common Mistakes table
- 5ae1cbb: docs: add /refine command and /plugins dashboard documentation
- a67a260: docs: remove unverified /plugins command documentation

Co-authored-by: github-actions[bot] <41898282+github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
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2026-07-27 16:10:24 +10:00
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website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/01-setup-and-first-steps.md
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@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: '01 · First Steps'
description: 'Experience your first GitHub Copilot CLI demos and learn the three main interaction modes.'
authors:
- GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
lastUpdated: 2026-06-19
lastUpdated: 2026-07-17
---
![Chapter 01: First Steps](/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/01/chapter-header.png)
@@ -365,17 +365,23 @@ copilot --allow-all -p "Review @myfile.py for issues"
## Essential Slash Commands
These commands work in interactive mode. **Start with just these six** - they cover 90% of daily use:
These commands are great to learn initially as you're getting started with Copilot CLI:
| Command | What It Does | When to Use |
|---------|--------------|-------------|
| `/help` | Show all available commands | When you forget a command |
| `/ask` | Ask a quick question without it affecting your conversation history | When you want a quick answer without derailing your current task |
| `/clear` | Clear conversation and start fresh | When switching topics |
| `/plan` | Plan your work out before coding | For more complex features |
| `/research` | Deep research using GitHub and web sources | When you need to investigate a topic before coding |
| `/help` | Show all available commands | When you forget a command |
| `/model` | Show or switch AI model | When you want to change the AI model |
| `/plan` | Plan your work out before coding | For more complex features |
| `/refine` | Rewrite a rough, stream-of-consciousness prompt into a clear, focused one | When your prompt feels messy and you want better results |
| `/research` | Deep research using GitHub and web sources | When you need to investigate a topic before coding |
| `/exit` | End the session | When you're done |
> 💡 **`/ask` vs regular chat**: Normally every message you send becomes part of the ongoing conversation and affects future responses. `/ask` is an "off the record" shortcut — perfect for quick one-off questions like `/ask What does YAML mean?` without polluting your session context.
> 💡 **`/refine` for better prompts**: Not sure if your prompt is clear enough? Type it out as it comes to mind, then run `/refine` to let Copilot rewrite it into a precise, well-structured prompt before sending. This is especially useful when you're new to AI tools and still learning how to write effective prompts.
That's it for getting started! As you become comfortable, you can explore additional commands.
> 📚 **Official Documentation**: [CLI command reference](https://docs.github.com/copilot/reference/cli-command-reference) for the complete list of commands and flags.
@@ -391,11 +397,13 @@ That's it for getting started! As you become comfortable, you can explore additi
|---------|--------------|
| `/init` | Initialize Copilot instructions for your repository |
| `/agent` | Browse and select from available agents |
| `/skills` | Manage skills for enhanced capabilities |
| `/env` | Show loaded environment details — what instructions, MCP servers, skills, agents, and plugins are active |
| `/init` | Initialize Copilot instructions for your repository |
| `/mcp` | Manage MCP server configuration |
| `/settings` | Open an interactive dialog to browse and edit all user settings in one place |
| `/skills` | Manage skills for enhanced capabilities |
> 💡 Skills are covered in detail in [Chapter 05](../05-skills/). MCP servers are covered in [Chapter 06](../06-mcp-servers/).
> 💡 Agents are covered in [Chapter 04](https://github.com/github/copilot-cli-for-beginners/blob/main/04-agents-custom-instructions/README.md), skills are covered in [Chapter 05](https://github.com/github/copilot-cli-for-beginners/blob/main/05-skills/README.md), and MCP servers are covered in [Chapter 06](https://github.com/github/copilot-cli-for-beginners/blob/main/06-mcp-servers/README.md).
### Models and Subagents
@@ -610,7 +618,8 @@ The examples used `/plan` for a search feature and `-p` for batch reviews. Now t
|---------|--------------|-----|
| Typing `exit` instead of `/exit` | Copilot CLI treats "exit" as a prompt, not a command | Slash commands always start with `/` |
| Using `-p` for multi-turn conversations | Each `-p` call is isolated with no memory of previous calls | Use interactive mode (`copilot`) for conversations that build on context |
| Forgetting quotes around prompts with `$` or `!` | Shell interprets special characters before Copilot CLI sees them | Wrap prompts in quotes: `copilot -p "What does $HOME mean?"` |
| Forgetting quotes around prompts with `$` or `!` | Shell interprets special characters before Copilot CLI sees them | Wrap prompts in single quotes: `copilot -p 'What does $HOME mean?'` |
| Pressing Esc once to cancel a running task | A single Esc no longer cancels in-flight work (to prevent accidents) | Press **Esc twice** to cancel while Copilot CLI is processing |
### Troubleshooting
@@ -631,7 +640,7 @@ The examples used `/plan` for a search feature and `-p` for batch reviews. Now t
1. **Interactive mode** is for exploration and iteration - context carries forward. It's like having a conversation with someone who remembers what you've said up to that point.
2. **Plan mode** is normally for more involved tasks. Review before implementation.
3. **Programmatic mode** is for automation. No interaction needed.
4. **Four essential commands** (`/help`, `/clear`, `/plan`, `/exit`) cover most daily use.
4. **Essential commands** (`/ask`, `/help`, `/clear`, `/plan`, `/research`, `/model`, `/exit`) cover most daily use.
> 📋 **Quick Reference**: See the [GitHub Copilot CLI command reference](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/cli-command-reference) for a complete list of commands and shortcuts.