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[bot] Add /ask, /env, MCP registry install, and plugin marketplace update commands#80

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DanWahlin merged 8 commits intomainfrom
update/new-cli-features-apr-2026-bbd5b10c37d71426
Apr 15, 2026
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[bot] Add /ask, /env, MCP registry install, and plugin marketplace update commands#80
DanWahlin merged 8 commits intomainfrom
update/new-cli-features-apr-2026-bbd5b10c37d71426

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What changed

This PR documents four beginner-relevant features from Copilot CLI releases v1.0.25, v1.0.26, and v1.0.27 (April 13–15, 2026).


New features found

Feature Release What it does
/ask command v1.0.27 Ask a quick question without it affecting your conversation history
/env command v1.0.25 Shows all loaded environment details — instructions, MCP servers, skills, agents, and plugins
MCP registry install (/mcp install) v1.0.25 Install MCP servers from a built-in registry with guided configuration — no JSON editing required
copilot plugin marketplace update v1.0.27 Refreshes local plugin catalogs so new plugins show up in /plugin marketplace

Features excluded as too advanced for beginners: OpenTelemetry monitoring, ACP client MCP providers, Anthropic BYOM image data, enterprise login improvements, plugin hook env vars.


Sections updated

01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md

  • Added /ask to the Essential Slash Commands table (with an explanation of how it differs from regular chat)
  • Added /env to the Agent Environment section of Additional Commands, with a troubleshooting tip
  • Updated the Key Takeaways list to include /ask

05-skills/README.md

  • Added copilot plugin marketplace update command to the Plugins section with a usage note

06-mcp-servers/README.md

  • Added a new Installing MCP Servers from the Registry section before the manual JSON config section, positioning /mcp install as the easiest starting point for beginners
  • Updated the MCP Configuration File intro to note that the registry install handles the JSON automatically

Source announcements

Generated by Course Updater · ● 1.2M ·

…date

Document new Copilot CLI features from releases v1.0.25–v1.0.27:
- Add /ask command to Essential Slash Commands (ask quick questions
  without affecting conversation history)
- Add /env command to Additional Commands reference (shows active
  instructions, MCP servers, skills, agents, and plugins)
- Document MCP server registry installation (/mcp install) in Chapter 06
  as the beginner-friendly path before manual JSON configuration
- Add 'copilot plugin marketplace update' command to Chapter 05 plugin
  section so learners can refresh stale plugin catalogs

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
@DanWahlin DanWahlin marked this pull request as ready for review April 15, 2026 19:50
Copilot AI review requested due to automatic review settings April 15, 2026 19:50
@DanWahlin DanWahlin merged commit 0876e6c into main Apr 15, 2026
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Pull request overview

Documents newly released Copilot CLI beginner features (v1.0.25–v1.0.27) by updating the course content for slash commands, MCP registry installation, and plugin marketplace refresh.

Changes:

  • Adds /ask and explanatory guidance to the “Essential Slash Commands” section and updates key takeaways.
  • Adds /env to the “Agent Environment” command reference.
  • Adds MCP registry-based installation guidance and documents copilot plugin marketplace update in the skills/plugins chapter.
Show a summary per file
File Description
01-setup-and-first-steps/README.md Documents /ask and /env for beginners and updates the essential-command summary.
05-skills/README.md Adds the plugin marketplace catalog refresh command to help users discover new plugins.
06-mcp-servers/README.md Introduces registry-based MCP server installation guidance ahead of manual JSON configuration.

Copilot's findings

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Comments suppressed due to low confidence (1)

06-mcp-servers/README.md:144

  • This sentence hard-codes /mcp search as the command that creates/updates the config file. Once the registry workflow command is finalized (e.g., /mcp install, /mcp add, etc.), update this reference accordingly so it stays accurate and consistent with the earlier section.
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.
  • Files reviewed: 3/3 changed files
  • Comments generated: 2

Comment thread 06-mcp-servers/README.md
Comment on lines +126 to +136
## 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.
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The section is titled "Installing MCP Servers from the Registry" but the example uses /mcp search. Later in this chapter's command reference the interactive add flow is documented as /mcp add (and the PR description mentions /mcp install). Please align the docs on the actual command(s) and naming so readers don’t follow a command that isn’t documented elsewhere in the chapter.

This issue also appears on line 144 of the same file.

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Comment thread 05-skills/README.md
Comment on lines +549 to +553
To keep your local plugin catalog current, refresh it with:

```bash
copilot plugin marketplace update
```
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This command (copilot plugin marketplace update) is a terminal subcommand, but it appears immediately after an interactive-session snippet (copilot + > /plugin ...). Add a short note clarifying it should be run from your shell (outside the interactive Copilot prompt), otherwise beginners may try to paste it after > and get an error.

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2 participants