github / github/copilot-cli

It should be possible to configure a set of commands the agent can run without permission

Open
#2,484 5 comments 2 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
area:agents area:permissions
Dominant language
Shell
Stars
11.2k
Forks
1.9k
Avg merge
14h 16m
Merged PRs (30d)
6

Description

### Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

_No response_

### Proposed solution

Currently you can only set allow-all to allow the agent to execute commands without permission. Otherwise with every new session i have to approve every command over and over again.

The --allow-all flag bypasses all permission checks, which create real risks:
- Destructive commands like" rm-rf" could be e executed without confirmation
- Permission changes (chmod, chown) could silently alteer system security

A granular allowlist ( eg allow read, find, cat,ls but block rm, chmod, would provide a much better balance between autonomy and safety.

This should be configurable via instruction or agent files

### Example prompts or workflows

_No response_

### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by reviewing the existing --allow-all permission path and how instruction or agent files are configured. Define how a command allowlist coexists with confirmation and blocked commands, then verify that configured safe commands run without repeated approval while destructive commands still require permission.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
shell
Domain
cli, security
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
42/100

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.