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Copilot CLI — MCP Configs

File format
JSON
Discovery path
.copilot/mcp-config.json
Syllago install method
JSON merge
Symlink support
No
Config file
.copilot/mcp-config.json
Transports
stdio, sse

Features

How each feature converts to syllago's canonical format. See format conversion for what these statuses mean.

Fields

Native frontmatter or config fields this provider exposes. The first column is the provider's own field name; the canonical key column links to syllago's cross-provider equivalent.

Config keyConversionCanonical keySummary
mcpServers Translated Conversion type: Translated Actively mapped to the target provider’s equivalent field during conversion. Learn more → ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json uses a {mcpServers:{NAME:CONFIG}} structure with per-server type, command/url, env, and tools fields.

Other features

Behaviors, conventions, and capabilities that aren't tied to a single named field — things like path-based activation, discovery rules, and lifecycle behavior.

FeatureConversionSummary
tool_filtering Translated Conversion type: Translated Actively mapped to the target provider’s equivalent field during conversion. Learn more → mcp_tool_allow_deny_flags: Copilot CLI supports per-tool allow and deny flags to control which MCP tools are exposed
Built-In GitHub MCP Server Not portable Conversion type: Not portable Unique to this provider — can’t be carried across providers. Learn more → A GitHub MCP server ships inside the Copilot CLI binary and is always present in the tool set, overriding any same-name user config.
Interactive /mcp Slash Commands Not portable Conversion type: Not portable Unique to this provider — can’t be carried across providers. Learn more → The /mcp slash-command suite (add, show, edit, delete, disable, enable) manages MCP servers at runtime without restart.
Per-Tool Allow/Deny CLI Flags Not portable Conversion type: Not portable Unique to this provider — can’t be carried across providers. Learn more → The --allow-tool, --deny-tool, and --allow-all-tools CLI flags grant or deny MCP tools (and built-in tools) without manual approval.

Sources

Source
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/docs/main/content/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/customize-copilot/add-mcp-servers.md
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/docs/main/content/copilot/concepts/context/mcp.md