github / github/copilot-cli

Hooks in config.json are not preserved across session starts

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area:configuration area:plugins
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Description

## Bug

The `hooks` field in `~/.copilot/config.json` is documented as the location for user-level hooks (`copilot help config` states: "In global config.json these act as user-level hooks").

However, Copilot CLI **overwrites `config.json` on every session start**, dropping any `hooks` key that was previously written there. This makes it impossible for external tools (like [cmux](https://github.com/manaflow-ai/cmux)) to install persistent user-level hooks.

## Steps to Reproduce

1. Install cmux session restore hooks: `cmux hooks copilot install`
2. Verify `~/.copilot/config.json` now contains a `"hooks"` key with SessionStart, SessionEnd, etc.
3. Start a new `copilot` session
4. Check `~/.copilot/config.json` — the `"hooks"` key is gone

## Expected Behavior

The `hooks` field should be preserved when Copilot CLI rewrites `config.json` (e.g., when updating `expAssignmentsCache` or other managed state).

## Additional Context

- Copilot CLI version: 1.0.49
- Hooks in `settings.json` do **not** fire as user-level hooks (despite being a recognized config location)
- The file header says `// User settings belong in settings.json` but `copilot help config` says hooks go in `config.json`
- macOS, cmux latest

## Workaround

Currently none for global user-level hooks. Repo-level hooks (`.github/hooks/*.json`) work but require per-repo setup.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by locating the code that rewrites ~/.copilot/config.json and reproduce the session-start behavior with a hooks entry installed by cmux. The fix is complete when managed state updates no longer remove the hooks field; verify this with the documented reproduction steps.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cli, shell
Domain
cli
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
62/100

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