GitHub Added AI to Your Terminal

If you code occasionally or are learning to program, you might have heard about GitHub Copilot—the AI that helps you write code in your editor.

Now GitHub launched Copilot CLI, which brings that AI help into your terminal (the command-line window where you type commands).

Here's what this means, whether beginners should care, and if it's useful beyond the IDE version.

What Is Copilot CLI?

Simple explanation: AI coding help in your terminal instead of your code editor.

What it does:

• Run commands by describing what you want in plain English
• Execute multiple steps automatically
• Manage GitHub repos without remembering commands
• Debug issues conversationally

Example: Instead of remembering git commands, you can type:

copilot chat "create a new branch and switch to it"

And Copilot figures out the commands and runs them for you.

Why Use Terminal AI vs. IDE AI?

IDE Copilot (the original):

• Helps write code while you're in your editor
• Autocompletes lines of code
• Good for writing functions and files

Terminal Copilot CLI:

• Helps run commands in your terminal
• Manages git, npm, docker, etc.
• Good for operations, not writing code

Use both: IDE for coding, CLI for everything else.

What You Can Actually Do With It

Run Commands Without Memorizing Syntax

Old way:

• Google "how to undo last git commit"
• Read Stack Overflow
• Copy command
• Hope it works

With Copilot CLI:

copilot chat "undo my last commit but keep the changes"

Copilot shows you the command, explains it, runs it.

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Deploy and Manage Projects

copilot run "deploy to staging environment"

Copilot:

1. Identifies your deployment script
2. Shows you what it'll run
3. Executes with your approval

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GitHub Management

copilot chat "create a pull request for my changes"

Copilot:

1. Reviews your changes
2. Writes PR description
3. Creates the PR

No need to leave the terminal or remember gh commands.

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Debug Issues

copilot chat "why is my app failing to start?"

Copilot:

1. Checks your logs
2. Identifies the problem
3. Suggests fixes
4. Can apply them automatically

Who Actually Benefits From This?

Worth it if you:

✅ Code regularly (professional or hobbyist) ✅ Spend time in terminal daily ✅ Forget command syntax often ✅ Use git, npm, docker, etc. ✅ Manage GitHub repos

Skip it if you:

❌ Just learning to code (use IDE version first) ❌ Rarely use terminal ❌ Prefer clicking buttons to typing commands ❌ Don't code enough to justify $10-20/month

Real talk: This is for people who already live in their terminal. If you're not comfortable there yet, focus on IDE Copilot first.

How It Actually Works

Conversational interface:

$ copilot chat "help me fix the failing tests"

Copilot: "I'll run your test suite first to see what's failing."

[Runs tests]

Copilot: "I see 3 tests failing in auth.test.js. They're all related to
password validation. Would you like me to:
1. Show you the failing test output
2. Suggest fixes
3. Apply fixes automatically"

You: "suggest fixes"

[Copilot analyzes and suggests changes]

It's like having a senior developer helping you in the terminal.

Pricing

Copilot CLI requires a GitHub Copilot subscription:

• Individual: $10/month (or $100/year)
• Pro: $20/month (includes better models)
• Free for: Students and open-source maintainers

What you get:

• IDE Copilot (code completion)
• CLI Copilot (terminal help)
• Access to multiple AI models

Real Use Case: Learning to Code

Even if you're a beginner, Copilot CLI can help with the non-coding parts of development:

git commands you'll need:

copilot chat "commit my changes with a good message"
copilot chat "push to GitHub"
copilot chat "create a new branch"

Project setup:

copilot chat "initialize a new React project"
copilot chat "install the packages I need"

Debugging:

copilot chat "my app won't start, help me debug"

This lets you focus on learning to code instead of memorizing terminal commands.

Compared to Regular ChatGPT for Coding

ChatGPT:

• Copy commands manually
• Can't run anything for you
• No context about your project
• Good for learning concepts

Copilot CLI:

• Runs commands directly
• Knows your project structure
• Can make changes automatically
• Good for getting things done

Use both: ChatGPT to learn, Copilot CLI to execute.

Common Beginner Questions

"Will this make me a lazy coder?"

No more than calculators make you bad at math. You still need to understand what commands do. Copilot just helps you not memorize syntax.

"Should beginners use this?"

After you know basic terminal commands, yes. Don't use it from day one—learn the fundamentals first. But once you're comfortable, it accelerates your workflow.

"What if it suggests the wrong command?"

Copilot shows you commands before running them. Always read what it's about to do. Think of it as a helpful assistant that might make mistakes.

"Do I need this if I have IDE Copilot?"

They serve different purposes. IDE helps write code, CLI helps run commands. Both useful for different tasks.

Getting Started

If you want to try Copilot CLI:

1. Get GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/month, free for students)
2. Install the CLI:

   npm install -g @github/copilot-cli
   

3. Authenticate:

   copilot auth login
   

4. Try it:

   copilot chat "help me understand what this tool does"
   

Start simple: Use it for git commands and basic operations before complex workflows.

Bottom Line

GitHub Copilot CLI is:

• AI-powered terminal assistant
• Runs commands for you based on plain English
• Manages git, GitHub, npm, and more
• Requires subscription ($10-20/month)
• Best for people who code regularly

Worth it if: You spend significant time in terminal and want to work faster.

Skip if: You're just starting to code or rarely use terminal.

Alternative: Use regular ChatGPT or Claude for coding help (free on JustSimpleChat) and run commands manually. Same result, just requires copy-pasting.

Try AI for Coding Help on JustSimpleChat →

Use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to get coding help and command suggestions

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Terminal AI is useful for experienced developers, but beginners should focus on IDE Copilot and learning fundamentals first.