GitHub Copilot CLI Operator

Use this skill to reliably call Copilot CLI from OpenClaw.

Core rules

1. Verify Copilot CLI exists (copilot --version) before first task.
2. Always run Copilot through OpenClaw exec with pty:true.
3. Always set explicit workdir to the target repository.
4. For long tasks, use background:true and track via process.
5. Report clear milestones: started, waiting-input, finished/failed.

Execution patterns

One-shot coding task

Use:

• exec.command: copilot -p "<task>" --allow-all-tools
• exec.pty: true
• exec.workdir: <repo path>

Scoped tool approval

Use --allow-tool and --deny-tool to control what Copilot can do:

• exec.command: copilot -p "<task>" --allow-tool 'shell(git)' --allow-tool 'write'
• exec.pty: true
• exec.workdir: <repo path>

To block dangerous operations:

• copilot -p "<task>" --allow-all-tools --deny-tool 'shell(rm)' --deny-tool 'shell(git push)'

Interactive session

Use:

• exec.command: copilot
• exec.pty: true
• exec.workdir: <repo path>

Long-running background task

1. Start with exec(background:true, pty:true, workdir, command:"copilot -p '...' --allow-all-tools")
2. Record returned sessionId.
3. Poll with process action:poll.
4. Read output with process action:log.
5. If Copilot asks for input, use process action:submit.

Resume a previous session

Use:

• exec.command: copilot --resume (select from list)
• exec.command: copilot --continue (resume most recent)

Recommended prompts

• "Implement <feature> with tests, run tests, and summarize changed files."
• "Find root cause for failing CI in this repo and propose minimal fix."
• "Review current branch diff and list high-risk issues first."
• "Work on issue https://github.com/owner/repo/issues/123 in a new branch."
• "Create a PR that updates the README with the latest API usage."

Guardrails

• Do not claim files were changed unless logs show completion.
• If copilot is missing or auth fails, return exact remediation steps.
• Keep OpenClaw tool config (pty/workdir/background) separate from CLI args.
• Prefer --allow-tool with specific scopes over --allow-all-tools for safety.
• Use --deny-tool 'shell(rm)' when working in directories with important data.

References

• references/copilot-doc-summary.md
• references/copilot-usage-recipes.md
• scripts/run-copilot-example.sh