sync: update CLI for Beginners Learning Hub from upstream (Apr 2026)

github-actions[bot] · Copilot · web-flow · commit b608c4972d54 · 2026-04-17T11:07:21.000Z
Sync with github/copilot-cli-for-beginners commits from Apr 12-15, 2026:

Chapter 01 (01-setup-and-first-steps.md):
- Add /ask command to Essential Slash Commands table with tip
- Add /env command to Additional Commands (Agent Environment section)
- Add /yolo alias and update /allow-all to [on|off|show] syntax
- Add copilot --plan startup flag documentation in Plan mode section
- Add copilot --autopilot reference in Autopilot mode note
- Add copilot --remote tip section (remote sessions from web/mobile)
- Update Essential Commands summary to include /ask, /research, /model
- Move Shift+Tab tip to after plan demo code block (upstream structure)

Chapter 05 (05-skills.md):
- Update /skills list description to mention built-in skills
- Add built-in skills tip (customizing-copilot-cloud-agents-environment)
- Add copilot plugin marketplace update command

Chapter 06 (06-mcp-servers.md):
- Add 'Installing MCP Servers from the Registry' section (/mcp search)
- Update project-level MCP config: .vscode/mcp.json -&gt; .mcp.json
- Add migration note for existing .vscode/mcp.json users
- Expand Additional MCP Commands with Option 1/Option 2 structure
- Add /mcp auth command and copilot mcp terminal commands
- Update troubleshooting table for new config file path
- Update summary point 5 to reflect two management methods

Co-authored-by: Copilot &lt;223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com&gt;
diff --git a/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/01-setup-and-first-steps.md b/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/01-setup-and-first-steps.md
@@ -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: 2026-03-20
+lastUpdated: 2026-04-17
 ---
 
 ![Chapter 01: First Steps](/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/01/chapter-header.png)
@@ -280,16 +280,22 @@ Notice how each prompt builds on the previous answer. You're having a conversati
 
 **Best for**: Complex tasks where you want to review the approach before execution. Similar to planning a route before a trip using GPS.
 
-Plan mode helps you create a step-by-step plan before writing any code. Use the `/plan` command or press **Shift+Tab** to cycle into Plan Mode:
-
-> 💡 **Tip**: **Shift+Tab** cycles between modes: Interactive → Plan → Autopilot. Press it anytime during an interactive session to switch modes without typing a command.
+Plan mode helps you create a step-by-step plan before writing any code. Use the `/plan` command, press **Shift+Tab** to cycle into Plan Mode:
 
 ```bash
 copilot
 
 > /plan Add a "mark as read" command to the book app
 ```
 
+> 💡 **Tip**: **Shift+Tab** cycles between modes: Interactive → Plan → Autopilot. Press it anytime during an interactive session to switch modes without typing a command.
+
+You can also launch Copilot CLI directly in plan mode using the `--plan` flag:
+
+```bash
+copilot --plan
+```
+
 **Plan mode output:** (your output may differ)
 
 ```
@@ -320,7 +326,7 @@ Proceed with implementation? [Y/n]
 
 > 💡 **Want something more complex?** Try: `/plan Add search and filter capabilities to the book app`. Plan mode scales from simple features to full applications.
 
-> 📚 **Autopilot mode**: You may have noticed Shift+Tab cycles through a third mode called **Autopilot**. In autopilot mode, Copilot works through an entire plan without waiting for your input after each step — like handing a task to a colleague and saying "let me know when you're finished." The typical workflow is plan → accept → autopilot, which means you need to be good at writing plans first. Get comfortable with Interactive and Plan modes, then see the [official docs](https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/copilot-cli/autopilot) when you're ready.
+> 📚 **Autopilot mode**: You may have noticed Shift+Tab cycles through a third mode called **Autopilot**. In autopilot mode, Copilot works through an entire plan without waiting for your input after each step — like handing a task to a colleague and saying "let me know when you're finished." The typical workflow is plan → accept → autopilot, which means you need to be good at writing plans first. You can also launch directly into autopilot with `copilot --autopilot`. Get comfortable with Interactive and Plan modes first, then see the [official docs](https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/agents/copilot-cli/autopilot) when you're ready.
 
 ---
 
@@ -365,11 +371,12 @@ 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 |
@@ -378,6 +385,8 @@ These commands work in interactive mode. **Start with just these six** - they co
 
 That's it for getting started! As you become comfortable, you can explore additional commands.
 
+> 💡 **`/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.
+
 > 📚 **Official Documentation**: [CLI command reference](https://docs.github.com/copilot/reference/cli-command-reference) for the complete list of commands and flags.
 
 <details>
@@ -391,6 +400,7 @@ 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 |
+| `/env` | Show loaded environment details — what instructions, MCP servers, skills, agents, and plugins are active |
 | `/skills` | Manage skills for enhanced capabilities |
 | `/mcp` | Manage MCP server configuration |
 
@@ -419,12 +429,13 @@ That's it for getting started! As you become comfortable, you can explore additi
 
 | Command | What It Does |
 |---------|--------------|
-| `/allow-all` | Auto-approve all permission prompts for this session |
+| `/allow-all [on|off|show]` | Auto-approve all permission prompts; use `on` to enable, `off` to disable, `show` to check current status |
+| `/yolo` | Quick alias for `/allow-all on` — auto-approves all permission prompts. |
 | `/add-dir <directory>` | Add a directory to allowed list |
 | `/list-dirs` | Show all allowed directories |
 | `/cwd`, `/cd [directory]` | View or change working directory |
 
-> ⚠️ **Use with caution**: `/allow-all` skips confirmation prompts. Great for trusted projects, but be careful with untrusted code.
+> ⚠️ **Use with caution**: `/allow-all` and `/yolo` skip confirmation prompts. Great for trusted projects, but be careful with untrusted code.
 
 ### Session
 
@@ -553,6 +564,28 @@ After completing the demos, try these variations:
 
 ---
 
+## 💡 Tip: Control Your CLI Session from Web or Mobile
+
+GitHub Copilot CLI supports **remote sessions**, letting you monitor and interact with a running CLI session from a web browser (on desktop or mobile) or the GitHub Mobile app without being physically at your terminal.
+
+Start a remote session with the `--remote` flag:
+
+```bash
+copilot --remote
+```
+
+Copilot CLI will display a link and provide access to a QR code. Open the link on your phone or in a desktop browser tab to watch the session in real time, send follow-up prompts, review plans, and steer the agent remotely. Sessions are user-specific so you can only access your own Copilot CLI sessions.
+
+You can also enable remote access from inside an active session at any time:
+
+```
+> /remote
+```
+
+Additional details about remote sessions can be found in the [Copilot CLI docs](https://docs.github.com/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/steer-remotely).
+
+---
+
 ## 📝 Assignment
 
 ### Main Challenge: Improve the Book App Utilities
@@ -629,7 +662,7 @@ 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.
 
diff --git a/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/05-skills.md b/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/05-skills.md
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: '05 · Automate Repetitive Tasks'
 description: 'Mirror the source chapter on skills that load automatically for repeated GitHub Copilot CLI workflows.'
 authors:
   - GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
-lastUpdated: 2026-03-20
+lastUpdated: 2026-04-17
 ---
 
 ![Chapter 05: Skills System](/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/05/chapter-header.png)
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ Learn what skills are, why they matter, and how they differ from agents and MCP.
    copilot
    > /skills list
    ```
-   This shows all skills Copilot can find in your project and personal folders.
+   This shows all skills Copilot can find, including any **built-in skills** that ship with the CLI itself, plus skills from your project and personal folders.
+
+   > 💡 **Built-in skills**: The Copilot CLI comes with skills pre-installed out of the box. For example, the `customizing-copilot-cloud-agents-environment` skill provides a guide for customizing the Copilot cloud agent's environment. You don't need to create or install anything to use these. Run `/skills list` to see what's available.
 
 2. **Look at a real skill file:** Check out our provided [code-checklist SKILL.md](https://github.com/github/copilot-cli-for-beginners/blob/main/.github/skills/code-checklist/SKILL.md) to see the pattern. It's just YAML frontmatter plus markdown instructions.
 
@@ -552,6 +554,12 @@ copilot
 # Install a plugin from the marketplace
 ```
 
+To keep your local plugin catalog current, refresh it with:
+
+```bash
+copilot plugin marketplace update
+```
+
 Plugins can bundle multiple capabilities together - a single plugin might include related skills, agents, and MCP server configurations that work together.
 
 ### Community Skill Repositories
diff --git a/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/06-mcp-servers.md b/website/src/content/docs/learning-hub/cli-for-beginners/06-mcp-servers.md
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: '06 · Connect to GitHub, Databases & APIs'
 description: 'Mirror the source chapter on MCP servers and external integrations for GitHub Copilot CLI.'
 authors:
   - GitHub Copilot Learning Hub Team
-lastUpdated: 2026-03-20
+lastUpdated: 2026-04-17
 ---
 
 ![Chapter 06: MCP Servers](/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/06/chapter-header.png)
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ MCP Servers:
 
 > 💡 **Only seeing the GitHub server?** That's expected! If you haven't added any additional MCP servers yet, GitHub is the only one listed. You'll add more in the next section.
 
-> 📚 **Want to see all `/mcp` commands?** There are additional commands for adding, editing, enabling, and deleting servers. See the [full command reference](#-additional-mcp-commands) at the end of this chapter.
+> 📚 **Want to see all MCP management commands?** You can manage servers with `/mcp` slash commands inside chat, or with `copilot mcp` directly from your terminal. See the [full command reference](#-additional-mcp-commands) at the end of this chapter.
 
 <details>
 <summary>🎬 See it in action!</summary>
@@ -127,13 +127,31 @@ MCP makes Copilot aware of your actual development environment.
 
 <img src="/images/learning-hub/copilot-cli-for-beginners/06/configuring-mcp-servers.png" alt="Hands adjusting knobs and sliders on a professional audio mixing board representing MCP server configuration" width="800"/>
 
-Now that you've seen MCP in action, let's set up additional servers. This section covers the configuration file format and how to add new servers.
+Now that you've seen MCP in action, let's set up additional servers. You can add servers in two ways: **from the built-in registry** (easiest — guided setup right in the CLI) or by **editing the config file** manually (more flexible). Start with the registry option if you're not sure which to choose.
+
+---
+
+## Installing MCP Servers from the Registry
+
+The CLI has a built-in MCP server registry that lets you discover and install popular servers with a guided setup — no JSON editing required.
+
+```bash
+copilot
+
+> /mcp search
+```
+
+Copilot opens an interactive picker showing available servers. Select one, and the CLI walks you through any required configuration (API keys, paths, etc.) and adds it to your config automatically.
+
+> 💡 **Why use the registry?** It's the easiest way to get started — you don't need to know the npm package name, command arguments, or JSON structure. The CLI handles all of that for you.
 
 ---
 
 ## MCP Configuration File
 
-MCP servers are configured in `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` (user-level, applies to all projects) or `.vscode/mcp.json` (project-level, applies to just the current workspace). 
+MCP servers are configured in `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` (user-level, applies to all projects) or `.mcp.json` (project-level, placed in the root of your project). If you used `/mcp search` above, the CLI already created or updated this file for you, but it's useful to understand the format for customization.
+
+> ⚠️ **Note**: `.vscode/mcp.json` is no longer supported as an MCP config source. If you have an existing `.vscode/mcp.json`, migrate it to `.mcp.json` in your project root. The CLI will show a migration hint if it detects an old config file.
 
 ```json
 {
@@ -341,7 +359,7 @@ Here's a full `mcp-config.json` with filesystem and Context7 servers:
 }
 ```
 
-Save this as `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` for global access or `.vscode/mcp.json` for project-specific configuration.
+Save this as `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` for global access or `.mcp.json` in the project root for project-specific configuration.
 
 ---
 
@@ -848,7 +866,7 @@ Ready to go deeper? Follow the [Custom MCP Server Guide](https://github.com/gith
 | Mistake | What Happens | Fix |
 |---------|--------------|-----|
 | Not knowing GitHub MCP is built-in | Trying to install/configure it manually | GitHub MCP is included by default. Just try: "List the recent commits in this repo" |
-| Looking for config in wrong location | Can't find or edit MCP settings | User-level config is in `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json`, project-level is `.vscode/mcp.json` |
+| Looking for config in wrong location | Can't find or edit MCP settings | User-level config is in `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json`, project-level is `.mcp.json` in the project root |
 | Invalid JSON in config file | MCP servers fail to load | Use `/mcp show` to check configuration; validate JSON syntax |
 | Forgetting to authenticate MCP servers | "Authentication failed" errors | Some MCPs need separate auth. Check each server's requirements |
 
@@ -891,19 +909,41 @@ If a server is disabled, see the [additional `/mcp` commands](#-additional-mcp-c
 ---
 
 <details>
-<summary>📚 <strong>Additional <code>/mcp</code> Commands</strong> (click to expand)</summary>
+<summary>📚 <strong>Additional MCP Commands</strong> (click to expand)</summary>
 <a id="-additional-mcp-commands"></a>
 
-Beyond `/mcp show`, there are several other commands for managing your MCP servers:
+You can manage MCP servers in two ways: using **slash commands inside a chat session**, or using the **`copilot mcp` command directly in your terminal** (no chat session needed).
+
+### Option 1: Slash commands (inside a chat session)
+
+These work when you're already inside `copilot`:
 
 | Command | What It Does |
 |---------|--------------|
 | `/mcp show` | Show all configured MCP servers and their status |
 | `/mcp add` | Interactive setup for adding a new server |
 | `/mcp edit <server-name>` | Edit an existing server configuration |
-| `/mcp enable <server-name>` | Enable a disabled server |
-| `/mcp disable <server-name>` | Temporarily disable a server |
+| `/mcp enable <server-name>` | Enable a disabled server (persists across sessions) |
+| `/mcp disable <server-name>` | Disable a server (persists across sessions) |
 | `/mcp delete <server-name>` | Remove a server permanently |
+| `/mcp auth <server-name>` | Re-authenticate with an MCP server that uses OAuth (e.g., after switching accounts) |
+
+### Option 2: `copilot mcp` command (from your terminal)
+
+You can also manage MCP servers directly from your terminal without starting a chat session first:
+
+```bash
+# List all configured MCP servers
+copilot mcp list
+
+# Enable a server
+copilot mcp enable filesystem
+
+# Disable a server
+copilot mcp disable context7
+```
+
+> 💡 **When to use which?** Use `/mcp` slash commands when you're already in a chat session. Use `copilot mcp` from the terminal when you want to quickly check or change your server settings before starting a session.
 
 For most of this course, `/mcp show` is all you need. The other commands become useful as you manage more servers over time.
 
@@ -919,7 +959,7 @@ For most of this course, `/mcp show` is all you need. The other commands become
 2. **GitHub MCP is built-in** - no configuration needed, just `/login`
 3. **Filesystem and Context7** are configured via `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json`
 4. **Multi-server workflows** combine data from multiple sources in a single session
-5. **Check server status** with `/mcp show` (additional commands available for managing servers)
+5. **Manage servers two ways**: use `/mcp` slash commands inside chat, or `copilot mcp` from the terminal
 6. **Custom servers** let you connect any API (optional, covered in the appendix guide)
 
 > 📋 **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.
