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allow direct execution of bash commands/scripts in Copilot CLI #186

@PKartaviy

Description

@PKartaviy

Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

Run a bash command prompt

Proposed solution

Description:
I would like to use Copilot CLI more seamlessly, but currently I’m missing an option to directly call bash commands or scripts.

In Claude’s code mode, I can run:

! ls

and get results instantly.

In Copilot CLI, running the equivalent (ls) takes ~20 seconds before returning output, which makes it impractical when I know which command I need to execute.

Expected behavior:

  • Ability to run bash commands/scripts directly from Copilot CLI, with near-instant execution (comparable to native shell).
  • Ideally support a syntax like ! command or a passthrough flag that pipes input directly to the shell.

Actual behavior:

  • Commands like ls take ~20 seconds to execute in Copilot CLI.
  • This delay makes the CLI less usable for day-to-day scripting.

Why this matters:

  • Developers expect a CLI tool to feel as responsive as a shell.
  • Quick script execution is essential for adoption.
  • Better UX would make Copilot CLI more competitive with alternatives.

Environment:

  • OS: macOS
  • Copilot CLI version: 0.0.332

Example prompts or workflows

No response

Additional context

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