github / github/copilot-sdk

Support autocomplete/ghost text for extension slash command arguments

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enhancement
Dominant language
Java
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Description

## Summary

Please add an SDK/API surface that lets Copilot CLI extensions provide autocomplete, ghost text, or structured argument suggestions for extension slash commands.

## Scenario

I am building a Copilot CLI extension that registers a deterministic `/cost` command via `joinSession({ commands: [...] })`. The command has useful subcommands/options such as:

```text
/cost
/cost help
/cost panel on|off|refresh
/cost session
/cost live-session
/cost --plan pro|pro-plus|business|enterprise
/cost --billing-model usage-based|premium-requests
/cost --currency USD
```

Built-in slash commands appear to show ghost text / inline hints for supported arguments as the user types. For extension commands, I only see the command name/description; after typing `/cost` there does not appear to be a way to suggest supported subcommands/options.

## Current SDK surface

The generated/types docs I found for `CommandDefinition` only expose:

```ts
export interface CommandDefinition {
name: string;
description?: string;
handler: CommandHandler;
}
```

That is enough to register `/cost`, but not enough to provide argument completions, examples, or dynamic suggestions.

## Requested capability

It would be useful if extension commands could declare one or more of the following:

- static usage text/examples for ghost text after the command name
- structured subcommands/options/enum values
- dynamic completion callback based on the current argument prefix and session context
- optional descriptions for each subcommand/option

For example, something like:

```ts
commands: [
{
name: 'cost',
description: 'Show Copilot session cost.',
usage: 'panel on|off|refresh | session | --plan ',
completions: async ({ args, cursor, sessionId }) => [
{ value: 'panel', description: 'Open or manage the cost panel' },
{ value: 'session', description: 'Show cost for a completed session' },
{ value: '--plan', description: 'Compare against a subscription plan' }
],
handler
}
]
```

## Why this matters

Extension slash commands can be deterministic command surfaces rather than model-routed prompts. Without argument hints, users have to remember command syntax or run a separate help command. Built-in-command-quality discoverability would make SDK extensions feel native and easier to learn.

## Workaround today

The extension can implement `/cost help`, but that is less discoverable and does not help while typing.

## Environment

Observed with Copilot CLI / SDK builds around `1.0.41-0` / `1.0.43` on Windows while authoring a project-scoped extension under `.github/extensions//extension.mjs`.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start with the generated/types documentation for CommandDefinition and the extension registration shown through joinSession({ commands: [...] }). Trace how project-scoped extension commands are handled in the Copilot CLI. Done should provide a documented SDK surface for static usage or structured suggestions and dynamic argument completion, with descriptions where supported.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
javascript, typescript
Domain
api, cli, developer-experience
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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