A guide to slash commands in the GitHub Copilot app

If you’ve used slash commands in the GitHub Copilot CLI, you already know how powerful a quick / can be. In the GitHub Copilot app, slash commands take that idea further, giving you shortcuts for managing sessions, navigating projects, and customizing your Copilot workflow. What are slash commands? Slash commands are text shortcuts you type directly into the GitHub Copilot app’s chat composer. Start by typing / and an autocomplete menu appears, showing the commands available in your current context. It’s a small character with a lot of potential, opening the door to shortcuts that help you work with Copilot in new ways. If you’re coming from the CLI, here’s the key difference: CLI slash commands are designed around a terminal-first workflow. Things like adding directories, setting your working directory, and managing terminal access happen through commands. This makes sense, because the CLI lives inside your terminal where there’s no visual interface. 💡 Tip : If you’ve used slash commands in the Copilot CLI, you’ll notice some familiar faces. Commands like /clear and /model work in both places. But the GitHub Copilot app-specific commands are tailored for the multi-session workflow that the desktop app provides. The app, on the other hand, provides a visual interface for managing context. File access commands like /add-dir or /cwd aren’t needed since the app manages project context automatically. App slash commands are more about workflows. You can navigate between sessions, manage projects, and control how the agent works. Why use slash commands? Slash commands may look like simple shortcuts, but they can change how you interact with Copilot. They help you move faster, stay focused, and quickly access the workflows you need. Instead of digging through options or breaking your focus to find the right tool, you can type a command and keep moving. A single / opens up the list of slash commands that can help you move faster, explore new ideas, and get the most out of t