GitHub: Copilot gets a new CLI terminal interface and BYOK support
The GitHub Copilot CLI terminal interface has reached general availability, and a new BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) option lets users use their own API keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, and other providers — without being locked into the Copilot model layer.
This article was generated using artificial intelligence from primary sources.
New terminal interface: from preview to general availability
The GitHub Copilot CLI new tabbed terminal interface reached general availability on June 23, 2026, after being showcased at Microsoft Build 2026 as a preview. This means the tool has exited the experimental phase and is now available to all Copilot users without signing up for beta testing.
The interface introduces three tabs that structure terminal work: Session for the current conversation with the agent, Gists for quickly sharing code snippets, and Issues/PR, which automatically appears when the terminal is launched inside a git repository. Unlike the earlier Copilot CLI that required manual editing of configuration files, the new interface supports in-session configuration: users can add MCP servers (/mcp add), change skills and settings (/skills, /settings) without leaving the active session.
Why is BYOK a significant step?
BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) is a mechanism that allows users to use their own API keys instead of Copilot’s built-in model layer. The previous model was closed: users could only choose from models GitHub offered within their subscription. Copilot now supports OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, LM Studio, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
The practical difference is significant: a developer who already pays for Anthropic API access can use Claude models in Copilot agent sessions without paying additional costs for the Copilot model layer. Credentials are stored in the OS keychain (macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager, Linux Secret Service), meaning keys are not stored in plaintext configuration files.
What users gain in practice
Alongside BYOK and the new terminal interface, Copilot also introduces 4 visual themes and support for screen readers and full keyboard and mouse navigation — a smaller but important step toward developer tool accessibility.
The combination of these two announcements — GA terminal interface and BYOK option — positions GitHub Copilot as a more flexible tool than it was in 2025, when model choice was tightly controlled by GitHub. Users who want to test specific models (for example, the latest Anthropic or local Ollama models) can now do so directly from Copilot agents without changing their development environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is BYOK in the context of GitHub Copilot?
- BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) means users can enter their own API keys for external model providers — OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — instead of being limited to Copilot's built-in model layer.
- How does the new CLI terminal interface differ from the previous Copilot CLI?
- The new interface introduces tabs (Session, Gists, Issues/PR), in-session configuration without config files, 4 themes, and screen reader support, whereas the previous Copilot CLI had far more limited capabilities with no such workspace organization.