Cli Mastery
Learn Copilot CLI slash commands, MCP setup, context files, and safe agent patterns through guided modules and a scored certification exam.
Overview
CLI Mastery is an agent skill most often used in Build (also Ship, Operate) that teaches Copilot CLI commands, MCP, and agent workflows through modules and an 80% pass final exam.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill cli-masteryWhat is this skill?
- Module-style teaching for slash-command categories with when-to-use guidance
- Final exam: 10 questions drawn from a 15-item bank via ask_user, 4 choices each, 80%+ to pass
- Covers MCP (Model Context Protocol), `.github/mcp-config.json`, and parallel-safe `explore` agent
- Documents precedence for instruction files (CLAUDE.md / GEMINI.md / AGENTS.md) and repo agents under `.github/agents/*.m
- Shortcuts and session controls: Shift+Tab modes, Ctrl+G editor, `/compact`, `/copy`, `--yolo` vs `/reset-allowed-tools`
- 10-question comprehensive final exam with 4 choices each
- 15-item rotating question bank
- 80% minimum score required to pass
Adoption & trust: 1.8k installs on skills.sh; 34.6k GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You use Copilot CLI daily but still guess which slash command, MCP path, or context shortcut applies—and risky flags feel opaque.
Who is it for?
Solo builders onboarding to Copilot CLI or auditing their slash-command and MCP habits before enabling permissive tool modes.
Skip if: Teams that already maintain internal CLI runbooks and only need task-specific integration skills without interactive drills.
When should I use this skill?
When onboarding to Copilot CLI or validating command, MCP, and agent knowledge through guided teaching and the final exam.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You internalize command categories, MCP and agent layout, and session controls, then prove readiness with a scored exam and CLI Wizard title on pass.
- Completed module walkthrough on slash commands and CLI ergonomics
- Final exam result with pass/fail and wrong-answer feedback
- CLI Wizard title on 80%+ pass
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Canonical shelf is Build → agent-tooling because the skill teaches how to drive the coding agent and CLI surface you use while shipping software. Content centers on `/init`, MCP, `@filename` context, repo agents, and tool permissions—the core agent-tooling stack for solo builders on Copilot CLI.
Where it fits
Run modules before `/init` on a new monorepo so MCP and `.github/agents` layouts match how you will work solo.
Refresh `/compact` and `@filename` habits before a long review session so context stays bounded.
After testing `--yolo`, use `/reset-allowed-tools` guidance from the exam bank to restore confirmations.
How it compares
Structured CLI curriculum with a scored exam—not a one-off chat cheat sheet or an MCP server package.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is cli-mastery for?
Solo and indie builders using GitHub Copilot CLI who want guided lessons and a short certification-style exam instead of unstructured trial and error.
When should I use cli-mastery?
During Build when configuring agents and MCP for a new repo, during Ship when you need `/compact` and context discipline under pressure, and during Operate when resetting allowed tools after experimenting with `--yolo`.
Is cli-mastery safe to install?
It is instructional and uses ask_user for quizzes; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page before installing any awesome-copilot skill in your environment.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Cli Mastery
# Final Exam Present a 10-question comprehensive exam using `ask_user` with 4 choices each. Require 80%+ to pass. Vary the selection each time. ## Question Bank 1. Which command initializes Copilot CLI in a new project? → `/init` 2. What shortcut cycles through modes? → `Shift+Tab` 3. Where are repo-level custom agents stored? → `.github/agents/*.md` 4. What does MCP stand for? → Model Context Protocol 5. Which agent is safe to run in parallel? → `explore` 6. How do you add a file to AI context? → `@filename` (e.g. `@src/auth.ts`) 7. What file has the highest instruction precedence? → `CLAUDE.md` / `GEMINI.md` / `AGENTS.md` (git root + cwd) 8. Which command compresses conversation history? → `/compact` 9. Where is MCP configured at project level? → `.github/mcp-config.json` 10. What does `--yolo` do? → Same as `--allow-all` (skip all confirmations) 11. What does `/research` do? → Run a deep research investigation with sources 12. Which shortcut opens input in $EDITOR? → `Ctrl+G` 13. What does `/reset-allowed-tools` do? → Re-enables confirmation prompts 14. Which command copies the last AI response to your clipboard? → `/copy` 15. What does `/compact` do? → Summarizes conversation to free context On pass (80%+): Award "CLI Wizard" title, congratulate enthusiastically! On fail: Show which they got wrong, encourage retry. # Module 1: Slash Commands Teach these categories one at a time, with examples and "when to use" guidance. ## Getting Started | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/login` | Authenticate with GitHub | First launch or expired session | | `/logout` | Sign out | Switching accounts | | `/help` | Show all commands | When lost | | `/exit` `/quit` | Exit CLI | Done working | | `/init` | Bootstrap copilot-instructions.md | New repo setup | | `/terminal-setup` | Configure multiline input | First-time setup | ## Models & Agents | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/model` | Switch AI model | Need different capability/speed | | `/agent` | Browse/select agents | Delegate to specialist | | `/fleet` | Enable parallel subagents | Complex multi-part tasks | | `/tasks` | View background tasks | Check on running subagents | ## Code & Review | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/diff` | Review changes in current dir | Before committing | | `/review` | Run code review agent | Get feedback on changes | | `/lsp` | Manage language servers | Need go-to-def, diagnostics | | `/ide` | Connect to IDE workspace | Want IDE integration | ## Session & Context | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/context` | Show token usage visualization | Context getting large | | `/usage` | Display session metrics | Check premium request count | | `/compact` | Compress conversation history | Near context limit | | `/session` | Show session info | Need session details | | `/resume` | Switch to different session | Continue previous work | | `/rename` | Rename current session | Better organization | | `/share` | Export session to markdown/gist | Share with team | | `/copy` | Copy last response to clipboard | Grab AI output quickly | | `/clear` | Clear conversation history | Fresh start | ## Permissions & Directories | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/allow-all` | Enable all permissions | Trusted environment, move fast | | `/add-dir` | Add trusted directory | Working across projects | | `/list-dirs` | Show allowed directories | Check access scope | | `/cwd` | Change working directory | Switch project context | | `/reset-allowed-tools` | Revoke tool approvals | Tighten security | ## Configuration & Customization | Command | What it does | When to use | |---------|-------------|-------------| | `/instructions` | View active instruction files | Debug custom behavior | | `/experimental` | Toggle experimental featur