GitHub Copilot Chat Cheat Sheet

#programming #githubcopilot

Slash Commands

Use slash commands to avoid writing complex prompts for common scenarios. To use a slash command, type / in the chat prompt box, followed by the command name.

Command	Description
/clear	Start a new chat session.
/explain	Explain how the code in your active editor works.
/fix	Propose a fix for problems in the selected code.
/fixTestFailure	Find and fix a failing test.
/help	Quick reference and basics of using GitHub Copilot.
/new	Create a new project.
/tests	Generate unit tests for the selected code.

Chat Variables

Use chat variables to include specific context in your prompt. To use a chat variable, type # in the chat prompt box, followed by a chat variable.

Variable	Description
#block	Includes the current block of code in the prompt.
#class	Includes the current class in the prompt.
#comment	Includes the current comment in the prompt.
#file	Includes the current file's content in the prompt.
#function	Includes the current function or method in the prompt.
#line	Includes the current line of code in the prompt.
#path	Includes the file path in the prompt.
#project	Includes the project context in the prompt.
#selection	Includes the currently selected text in the prompt.
#sym	Includes the current symbol in the prompt.

Chat Participants

Chat participants are like domain experts who have a specialty that they can help you with. You can specify a chat participant by typing @ in the chat prompt box, followed by a chat participant name. To see all available chat participants, type @ in the chat prompt box.

Below is a list of some of the most common chat participants for using Copilot Chat.

Variable	Description
@azure	Has context about Azure services and how to use, deploy and manage them. Use @azure when you want help with Azure. The @azure chat participant is currently in public preview and is subject to change.
@github	Allows you to use GitHub-specific Copilot skills. See Asking GitHub Copilot questions in your IDE.
@terminal	Has context about the Visual Studio Code terminal shell and its contents. Use @terminal when you want help creating or debugging terminal commands.
@vscode	Has context about Visual Studio Code commands and features. Use @vscode when you want help with Visual Studio Code.
@workspace	Has context about the code in your workspace. Use @workspace when you want Copilot to consider the structure of your project, how different parts of your code interact, or design patterns in your project.