How to Use GitHub Copilot CLI: Complete Guide for 2026

The Evolution of the Terminal: Why GitHub Copilot CLI Matters in 2026

For decades, the command line interface (CLI) has been the inner sanctum of the software engineer—a place of power, but also one of high cognitive load. As we move through 2026, the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the terminal has transitioned from a novelty to a fundamental requirement for enterprise-grade engineering. At Optijara, we have observed that MENA-based enterprises, particularly those in Dubai’s rapidly evolving tech hubs, are increasingly leveraging AI-powered terminal tools to bridge the talent gap and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.

GitHub Copilot CLI is no longer just a wrapper for shell command suggestions; it has evolved into a sophisticated terminal agent capable of reasoning, planning, and executing complex workflows. This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for mastering the Copilot CLI, ensuring your engineering team stays at the forefront of the intelligent automation wave.

"The goal of AI implementation isn't just to write code faster, but to reduce the friction between human intent and machine execution. GitHub Copilot CLI is a pivotal tool in achieving that fluidity in the terminal." — Hamza Diaz, Founder & CEO, Optijara

Section 1: Installation and Configuration for the Modern Enterprise

Before diving into advanced modes, a robust installation is critical. In 2026, GitHub Copilot CLI is tightly integrated with the standard GitHub CLI (gh), making it an essential part of the developer's toolkit.

Prerequisites

• GitHub CLI: Ensure you have the latest version of gh installed.
• Copilot Subscription: An active GitHub Copilot Business or Enterprise license is required for organizational features.
• Node.js Environment: While many components are compiled, some extensions still rely on a stable Node.js runtime.

Step-by-Step Setup

To begin, install the Copilot extension for the GitHub CLI by running the following command in your terminal:

gh extension install github/gh-copilot

Once installed, authentication is the next step. For enterprises in the UAE and the wider MENA region, ensuring that authentication follows corporate SSO (Single Sign-On) protocols is vital for security compliance. Run:

gh auth login

Follow the prompts to authenticate via your browser. After successful login, verify the installation by calling the help menu:

gh copilot --help

Section 2: Mastering the Three Pillars: Ask, Edit, and Plan Modes

The 2026 iteration of GitHub Copilot CLI is structured around three primary interaction modes, each designed for specific engineering tasks. Understanding when to use each is the key to terminal mastery.

1. Ask Mode: Instant Knowledge Retrieval

Ask Mode is the evolution of the traditional man-page. Instead of searching through dense documentation, you can ask Copilot to explain commands or suggest syntax for specific tasks. This is particularly useful for DevOps engineers managing complex Kubernetes clusters or cloud infrastructure in the MENA region.

Example usage:
gh copilot suggest "Find all files larger than 100MB in the /var/log directory and list them by size"

Copilot will not only provide the command (e.g., find /var/log -type f -size +100M -exec ls -lh {} + | sort -k 5 -hr) but will also offer a detailed explanation of each flag used. This reduces the risk of running destructive commands in production environments.

2. Edit Mode: Direct File Manipulation

Edit Mode allows developers to modify files directly from the CLI without opening a full IDE like VS Code. This is a game-changer for quick configuration changes or hotfixes on remote servers.

Using the command gh copilot edit [filename], you can provide natural language instructions to modify code. For instance:
"Update the database connection string in config.yaml to use the new production endpoint and enable SSL."

Copilot analyzes the file context, applies the changes, and presents a diff for your approval. This ensures that even quick edits maintain the integrity of the codebase.

3. Plan Mode: The Agentic Workflow

The most significant advancement in 2026 is Plan Mode. This mode transforms Copilot from a suggestion engine into a terminal agent. When faced with a complex task—such as migrating a legacy service to a containerized environment—Plan Mode breaks the task down into logical steps.

When you initiate a plan:
gh copilot plan "Migrate this Python script to a Docker container and set up a GitHub Action for CI/CD"

Copilot will:

• Analyze the existing script and dependencies.
• Generate a Dockerfile.
• Create a .github/workflows/main.yml file.
• Provide the commands to build and test the image locally.

This structured approach is invaluable for MENA enterprises looking to standardize their deployment pipelines across diverse engineering teams.

Section 3: Advanced Agent Workflows and Custom Extensions

Beyond the standard modes, GitHub Copilot CLI in 2026 supports custom agent workflows. Engineering leads can now create aliases and extensions that wrap Copilot’s intelligence around company-specific internal tools.

Creating Intelligent Aliases

For repetitive enterprise tasks, such as querying internal logs or managing regional cloud resources in the UAE North (Dubai) or UAE Central (Abu Dhabi) regions, custom aliases can save hours of manual work. You can configure your shell to pipe the output of one command into Copilot for instant analysis:

kubectl get pods | gh copilot explain "Why are these pods in a CrashLoopBackOff state?"

Integrating with CI/CD Pipelines

Modern engineering teams are now using Copilot CLI within their CI/CD scripts to perform automated code reviews or to suggest fixes for failed builds. By using the --json output flag, Copilot's suggestions can be parsed by other tools, creating a fully automated feedback loop that enhances software quality without human intervention.

Section 4: Enterprise Implementation and Security in the MENA Region

As an AI implementation firm based in Dubai, Optijara emphasizes that the adoption of GitHub Copilot CLI must be balanced with rigorous security and data residency considerations. For MENA enterprises, particularly in the financial and government sectors, the following points are non-negotiable:

• Data Privacy: Ensure that your GitHub Enterprise settings are configured to prevent your proprietary code from being used to train global models.
• Audit Logs: Utilize GitHub’s auditing features to monitor how AI is being used within the terminal to ensure compliance with local regulations like the UAE’s Data Protection Law.
• Latency Optimization: While GitHub’s global infrastructure is robust, ensure your local network configurations are optimized for the best performance when interacting with AI endpoints from the Middle East.

By implementing these safeguards, organizations can reap the productivity benefits of AI while maintaining a secure and compliant engineering environment.

Conclusion: The Future of Terminal-Based Engineering

GitHub Copilot CLI represents a paradigm shift in how we interact with our machines. In 2026, the terminal is no longer a silent partner; it is an active collaborator that understands context, intent, and complex engineering goals. For enterprises in Dubai and across the MENA region, mastering these tools is not just about speed—it is about building the capacity to innovate at the scale required by the modern global economy.

At Optijara, we specialize in helping organizations navigate this transition, ensuring that AI implementation is both strategic and impactful. By mastering Ask, Edit, and Plan modes, your engineering team will be well-equipped to lead the next generation of digital excellence.