From 284d2a10889bd854806c22de992e9f3bab0c2ec4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dan Wahlin Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2026 05:03:36 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] docs(ch06): add copilot mcp CLI command and session persistence notes - Document new `copilot mcp` top-level command (v1.0.21) for managing MCP servers from the terminal without starting a chat session - Clarify that /mcp enable and /mcp disable persist across sessions (v1.0.19) - Restructure Additional MCP Commands section into two clear options: slash commands (in-chat) vs copilot mcp (terminal) - Update Key Takeaways and introductory tip to reflect both approaches Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> --- 06-mcp-servers/README.md | 33 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/06-mcp-servers/README.md b/06-mcp-servers/README.md index 6545496..f216ccd 100644 --- a/06-mcp-servers/README.md +++ b/06-mcp-servers/README.md @@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ MCP Servers: > 💡 **Only seeing the GitHub server?** That's expected! If you haven't added any additional MCP servers yet, GitHub is the only one listed. You'll add more in the next section. -> 📚 **Want to see all `/mcp` commands?** There are additional commands for adding, editing, enabling, and deleting servers. See the [full command reference](#-additional-mcp-commands) at the end of this chapter. +> 📚 **Want to see all MCP management commands?** You can manage servers with `/mcp` slash commands inside chat, or with `copilot mcp` directly from your terminal. See the [full command reference](#-additional-mcp-commands) at the end of this chapter.
🎬 See it in action! @@ -883,21 +883,42 @@ If a server is disabled, see the [additional `/mcp` commands](#-additional-mcp-c ---
-📚 Additional /mcp Commands (click to expand) +📚 Additional MCP Commands (click to expand) -Beyond `/mcp show`, there are several other commands for managing your MCP servers: +You can manage MCP servers in two ways: using **slash commands inside a chat session**, or using the **`copilot mcp` command directly in your terminal** (no chat session needed). + +### Option 1: Slash commands (inside a chat session) + +These work when you're already inside `copilot`: | Command | What It Does | |---------|--------------| | `/mcp show` | Show all configured MCP servers and their status | | `/mcp add` | Interactive setup for adding a new server | | `/mcp edit ` | Edit an existing server configuration | -| `/mcp enable ` | Enable a disabled server | -| `/mcp disable ` | Temporarily disable a server | +| `/mcp enable ` | Enable a disabled server (persists across sessions) | +| `/mcp disable ` | Disable a server (persists across sessions) | | `/mcp delete ` | Remove a server permanently | | `/mcp auth ` | Re-authenticate with an MCP server that uses OAuth (e.g., after switching accounts) | +### Option 2: `copilot mcp` command (from your terminal) + +New in v1.0.21, you can also manage MCP servers directly from your terminal without starting a chat session first: + +```bash +# List all configured MCP servers +copilot mcp list + +# Enable a server +copilot mcp enable filesystem + +# Disable a server +copilot mcp disable context7 +``` + +> 💡 **When to use which?** Use `/mcp` slash commands when you're already in a chat session. Use `copilot mcp` from the terminal when you want to quickly check or change your server settings before starting a session. + For most of this course, `/mcp show` is all you need. The other commands become useful as you manage more servers over time.
@@ -912,7 +933,7 @@ For most of this course, `/mcp show` is all you need. The other commands become 2. **GitHub MCP is built-in** - no configuration needed, just `/login` 3. **Filesystem and Context7** are configured via `~/.copilot/mcp-config.json` 4. **Multi-server workflows** combine data from multiple sources in a single session -5. **Check server status** with `/mcp show` (additional commands available for managing servers) +5. **Manage servers two ways**: use `/mcp` slash commands inside chat, or `copilot mcp` from the terminal 6. **Custom servers** let you connect any API (optional, covered in the appendix guide) > 📋 **Quick Reference**: See the [GitHub Copilot CLI command reference](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/reference/cli-command-reference) for a complete list of commands and shortcuts. From dcc9b3250e60a75fdc5888387575f2d680ef5dd9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dan Wahlin Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2026 11:55:22 -0700 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Clarify terminal command for managing MCP servers Updated README to clarify terminal command usage for managing MCP servers. --- 06-mcp-servers/README.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/06-mcp-servers/README.md b/06-mcp-servers/README.md index f216ccd..6ae2859 100644 --- a/06-mcp-servers/README.md +++ b/06-mcp-servers/README.md @@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ These work when you're already inside `copilot`: ### Option 2: `copilot mcp` command (from your terminal) -New in v1.0.21, you can also manage MCP servers directly from your terminal without starting a chat session first: +You can also manage MCP servers directly from your terminal without starting a chat session first: ```bash # List all configured MCP servers