# Copilot CLI Extensions

Extensions add custom tools, hooks, and behaviors to the Copilot CLI. They run as separate Node.js processes that communicate with the CLI over JSON-RPC via stdio.

## How Extensions Work

```
┌─────────────────────┐          JSON-RPC / stdio           ┌──────────────────────┐
│   Copilot CLI        │ ◄──────────────────────────────────► │  Extension Process   │
│   (parent process)   │    tool calls, events, hooks        │  (forked child)      │
│                      │                                      │                      │
│  • Discovers exts    │                                      │  • Registers tools   │
│  • Forks processes   │                                      │  • Registers hooks   │
│  • Routes tool calls │                                      │  • Listens to events │
│  • Manages lifecycle │                                      │  • Uses SDK APIs     │
└─────────────────────┘                                      └──────────────────────┘
```

1. **Discovery**: The CLI scans `.github/extensions/` (project) and the user's copilot config extensions directory for subdirectories containing `extension.mjs`.
2. **Launch**: Each extension is forked as a child process with `@github/copilot-sdk` available via an automatic module resolver.
3. **Connection**: The extension calls `joinSession()` which establishes a JSON-RPC connection over stdio to the CLI and attaches to the user's current foreground session.
4. **Registration**: Tools and hooks declared in the session options are registered with the CLI and become available to the agent.
5. **Lifecycle**: Extensions are reloaded on `/clear` (or if the foreground session is replaced) and stopped on CLI exit (SIGTERM, then SIGKILL after 5s).

## File Structure

```
.github/extensions/
  my-extension/
    extension.mjs      ← Entry point (required, must be .mjs)
```

- Only `.mjs` files are supported (ES modules). The file must be named `extension.mjs`.
- Each extension lives in its own subdirectory.
- The `@github/copilot-sdk` import is resolved automatically — you don't install it.

## The SDK

Extensions use `@github/copilot-sdk` for all interactions with the CLI:

```js
import { joinSession } from "@github/copilot-sdk/extension";

const session = await joinSession({
    tools: [
        /* ... */
    ],
    hooks: {
        /* ... */
    },
});
```

The `session` object provides methods for sending messages, logging to the timeline, listening to events, and accessing the RPC API. See the `.d.ts` files in the SDK package for full type information.

## Further Reading

- `examples.md` — Practical code examples for tools, hooks, events, and complete extensions
- `factories.md`: Authoring, running, resuming, and observing Agent Factories
- `agent-author.md` — Step-by-step workflow for agents authoring extensions programmatically
