Environment Information Skill

Overview

The env skill provides comprehensive insight into your Copilot environment configuration, including all loaded extensions, MCP servers, skills, and other integrated tools.

Usage

Display Complete Environment

/env

Shows all loaded environment details:

• Instructions: Custom instruction files from various locations
• MCP Servers: Message Context Protocol servers and their configuration
• Skills: Available skills for enhanced capabilities
• Agents: Registered agents (built-in and custom)
• Plugins: Installed plugins and plugin marketplaces
• LSPs: Language Server Protocol configurations
• Extensions: Loaded CLI extensions

Key Environment Configuration Files

Your Copilot environment loads configuration from these locations (in order of precedence):

Instructions

• CLAUDE.md - Claude-specific instructions
• GEMINI.md - Gemini-specific instructions
• AGENTS.md - Agent configuration (in git root & cwd)
• .github/instructions/**/*.instructions.md - Modular instructions (git root & cwd)
• .github/copilot-instructions.md - Project-level instructions
• $HOME/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md - User-level instructions
• COPILOT_CUSTOM_INSTRUCTIONS_DIRS - Additional directories via environment variable

Configuration Storage

• MCP Config: ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json
• Skills: ~/.copilot/skills/ (directory)
• Session State: ~/.copilot/session-state/
• Main Config: ~/.copilot/config.json
• Permissions: ~/.copilot/permissions-config.json

Common Tasks

Check if a Skill is Installed

/env

Then look for the skill name in the skills section.

View All MCP Servers

/env

Check the MCP servers section for active and configured servers.

See Loaded Instructions

/env

Review the instructions section to verify custom instructions are loaded.

Check Language Server Status

/env

View LSPs section for configured language servers.

Managing Environment Components

Using Related Commands

• /mcp - Configure Message Context Protocol servers
• /skills - Manage skills for enhanced capabilities
• /agent - Browse and select from available agents
• /plugin - Manage plugins and plugin marketplaces
• /lsp - Manage language server configuration
• /instructions - View and toggle custom instruction files

Best Practices

1. Regular Audits: Use /env regularly to verify all expected tools are loaded
2. Troubleshooting: If a tool isn't available, check /env to see if it's loaded
3. Configuration: Combine with /mcp, /skills, and /instructions for full control
4. Performance: Too many active servers or skills can impact performance - use /env to identify unused components

Troubleshooting

Environment Not Loading Correctly

1. Check instructions are in correct locations using /env
2. Verify file permissions on instruction files
3. Check for syntax errors in JSON configuration files (config.json, mcp-config.json)
4. Review environment variables (especially COPILOT_CUSTOM_INSTRUCTIONS_DIRS)

Missing Tools or Skills

1. Run /env to see what's currently loaded
2. Check if skill/tool needs to be explicitly enabled with /skills or /mcp
3. Verify installation with appropriate management command (/skills, /mcp, etc.)
4. Check file permissions in ~/.copilot/ directory

Related Skills and Commands

• Setup Commands: /init, /terminal-setup
• Code Intelligence: /lsp, /ide
• Configuration: /mcp, /skills, /instructions, /plugin
• Session Management: /session, /env, /context