GitHub Copilot CLI: Multiline Input, MCP Enhancements, and Haiku 4.5 Integration

Developers using GitHub Copilot CLI now benefit from a suite of updates designed to streamline productivity and provide a more intuitive experience. These advancements respond directly to user feedback, delivering enhancements that touch every aspect of the tool, from command input to server configuration and AI model support.

Boost Command Flexibility with Multiline Input

The latest update introduces multiline command input for terminals supporting the Kitty protocol. Simply use Shift+Enter to craft complex commands without interruption. For VSCode users, activating this feature is as easy as running the /terminal-setup​ Copy command. This upgrade enables the seamless creation and execution of sophisticated scripts right within your terminal, minimizing context switches and maximizing efficiency.

Leverage Anthropic Claude Haiku 4.5

Integration with Anthropic Claude Haiku 4.5 marks a significant step forward in Copilot CLI's AI-powered assistance. This advanced model brings improved natural language processing and more accurate code generation, ensuring developers receive higher quality suggestions and support as they work. GitHub's commitment to incorporating leading AI models keeps Copilot CLI at the forefront of coding innovation.

Simplified MCP Server Configuration

Configuring local MCP (Model Control Plane) servers is now more straightforward. Developers can enter full shell commands directly, rather than navigating cumbersome comma-separated arguments. Environmental variable handling has also been enhanced, with literal value parsing and shell variable referencing using the standard ${VARIABLE_NAME}​ Copy format. These improvements align Copilot CLI with familiar command-line practices and reduce setup headaches.

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Empowering Automated and Noninteractive Workflows

• Authentication with personal access tokens (PAT) or gh​ Copy respects the GH_HOST variable, supporting enterprise and compliance needs.
  
  
• Permission requests in -p​ Copy mode are now more precise, while the new --allow-all-paths​ Copy flag streamlines permissions for automated scripts and workflows.

Improved Stability and Robustness

• Session data storage is now decoupled from display, paving the way for future integrations and features.
  
  
• Each AI model clearly displays its premium request multiplier, allowing for smarter resource management.
  
  
• PowerShell support has been significantly improved, and the earlier “Windows support is experimental” warning has been removed to reflect greater reliability.
  
  
• Debugging is enhanced with detailed stack traces and Copilot API request IDs in logs. Users can set log_level​ Copy to all​ Copy for persistent, comprehensive diagnostics.

Active Community Feedback

The GitHub team encourages developers to update Copilot CLI with npm install -g @github/copilot@latest​ Copy and share feedback via the /feedback​ Copy command or the public repository. Ongoing user input continues to shape the future of Copilot CLI, driving meaningful improvements with every release.

Takeaway

GitHub’s latest updates reflect a commitment to evolving Copilot CLI in step with developer needs. These enhancements make the tool more flexible, reliable, and ready for the future of software development.

Source: GitHub Blog