AI / GitHub Copilot CLI Fundamentals Interview Questions
What is GitHub Copilot CLI and how does it differ from the deprecated gh copilot extension?
GitHub Copilot CLI is a standalone, terminal-native AI coding assistant that brings agentic capabilities directly to your command line. Invoked with the copilot command, it functions as an active collaborator capable of reading, modifying, and executing files, interacting with GitHub, and completing multi-step development tasks.
| Feature | New Copilot CLI (copilot) | Deprecated gh copilot extension (gh copilot) |
|---|---|---|
| Invocation | copilot | gh copilot suggest / gh copilot explain |
| Mode | Agentic - executes tasks autonomously | Command suggester - returned text to copy |
| File access | Yes - reads, writes, executes files | No - text output only |
| GitHub integration | Native - issues, PRs, branches | Basic - via gh CLI |
| Status | Active (generally available/public preview) | End-of-life: October 25, 2025 |
| Architecture | Standalone Node.js application | Extension on the gh CLI |
The fundamental distinction is philosophical: the old extension was a command suggester (proposes a shell command for the user to copy and run), while the new Copilot CLI is an agentic executor (understands goals, plans, and carries out the necessary commands and code changes itself).
What is the key architectural difference between the deprecated gh copilot extension and the new GitHub Copilot CLI?
What was the end-of-life date for the deprecated gh copilot extension?
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