(Last updated May 7 2025)

Inline Completions (Defaults)

Action Windows / Linux macOS

Accept suggestion

Tab

Tab

Dismiss suggestion

Esc

Esc

Next suggestion

Alt +]

⌥ ]

Previous suggestion

Alt +[

⌥ [

Accept next word

Ctrl →

⌘ →

Accept next line

Ctrl Alt →

⌥ →

Show alternatives

Alt +.

⌥ +.

Copilot Chat Hotkeys

Task Shortcut

Open Quick Chat

Ctrl Shift Alt L (⇧⌥⌘L)

Start Inline Chat

Ctrl I (⌘I)

New chat session

Ctrl L (⌃L)

Customise in File ⇢ Preferences ⇢ Keyboard Shortcuts

Slash Commands (in Chat panel)

Command What it does

/explain

Explain selected code or active file

/fix

Suggest bug fixes

/tests

Generate unit tests

/doc

Add documentation comments

/optimize

Improve performance

/help

Show Copilot help

/clear

Start a new chat session

/new

Scaffold a new project

/fixTestFailure

Locate & fix a failing test

Chat Variables

Variable Adds this context to your prompt

#file

The active/open file

#changes

Current Git diff/changes

#codebase

Relevant workspace files

#fetch <url>

Fetched web‑page content

Prompt Tips

  • Start broad → refine Ask a general question, then drill down.

  • Show, don’t tell Include code snippets or edge‑cases.

  • Break up tasks Tackle one function or test at a time.

  • Use variables #file, #changes keep the prompt focused.

  • Iterate Review output, ask Copilot to refine or explain.

Best Practices & Safety

  • Always review generator output before committing.

  • Use /fix or /optimize to clean up & refactor.

  • Check licenses if copying large blocks.

  • Keep secrets & personal data out of prompts.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Quick Check

Shortcut conflict

Re‑bind in Keyboard Shortcuts window

Context lost in large file

Select only the relevant code or use #file