[2026-06-30] Copilot CLI Auto with task intent (#61979)

Co-authored-by: mc <42146119+mchammer01@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: hubwriter

content/copilot/concepts/models/auto-model-selection.md

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ More than just a model picker, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_sele
 
 ### Auto with task optimization
 
-> [!NOTE] {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %} with task optimization is generally available in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} on the {% data variables.product.github %} website and in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}.
+> [!NOTE] {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %} with task optimization is generally available in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} on the {% data variables.product.github %} website, in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}, and in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}.
 
 {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %} with task optimization combines two systems to provide high quality results and better reliability. One system tracks real-time system health and availability, while the other evaluates task complexity. Putting these together, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short %} routes the task to the optimal model.
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ When you select **Auto**, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection
 
 ## {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}
 
-{% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %}, optimized for model reliability and availability, is available in these {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} products: 
+{% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short_cap_a %}, optimized for model reliability and availability, is available in these {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} products:
 * {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, on the {% data variables.product.github %} website and supported IDEs
 * {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}
 * {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}

content/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/cli-best-practices.md

@@ -94,14 +94,14 @@ Use `/model` to choose from available models based on your task complexity:
 
 | Model | Best For | Tradeoffs |
 | ----- | -------- | --------- |
-| **Auto** | Reduced rate limiting and lower latency and errors | See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/auto-model-selection#auto-model-selection-in-github-copilot-cli)|
+| **Auto** | Reduced rate limiting and lower latency and errors | See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/auto-model-selection) |
 | **Claude Opus 4.5** (default) | Complex architecture, difficult debugging, nuanced refactoring | Most capable but more costly |
 | **Claude Sonnet 4.5** | Day-to-day coding, most routine tasks | Fast, cost-effective, handles most work well |
 | **GPT-5.2 Codex** | Code generation, code review, straightforward implementations | Excellent for reviewing code produced by other models |
 
 **Recommendations:**
 
-* **Auto** intelligently chooses models based on real time system health and model performance, reducing rate limiting and providing lower latency and errors.
+* **Auto** intelligently chooses models based on real-time system health and model performance (reducing rate limiting and providing lower latency and errors), and the complexity of the task you have given {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}.
 * **Opus 4.5** is ideal for tasks requiring deep reasoning, complex system design, subtle bug investigation, or extensive context understanding.
 * **Switch to Sonnet 4.5** for routine tasks where speed and cost efficiency matter—it handles the majority of everyday coding effectively.
 * **Use Codex** for high-volume code generation and as a second opinion for reviewing code produced by other models.

content/copilot/reference/ai-models/model-comparison.md

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ contentType: reference
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > * Different models consume {% data variables.product.prodname_ai_credits_short %} at different rates based on their token pricing. For details, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/reference/copilot-billing/models-and-pricing).
-> * {% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-selection %}
+> * Choosing the **Auto** option when selecting a model automatically selects the optimum model for your task, based on model availability and task complexity.  If you are on a paid {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} plan, you qualify for a discount on model costs when you use the **Auto** option. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/auto-model-selection).
 
 ### Recommended models by task
 

content/copilot/reference/copilot-cli-reference/cli-command-reference.md

@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ When diff mode is open (entered via `/diff`):
 | `/logout`                                           | Log out of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. |
 | `/lsp [show\|test\|reload\|help] [SERVER-NAME]`     | Manage the language server configuration. |
 | `/mcp [show\|add\|edit\|delete\|disable\|enable\|auth\|reload\|search] [SERVER-NAME]` | Manage the MCP server configuration. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/customize-copilot/add-mcp-servers#managing-mcp-servers). |
-| `/model`, `/models [MODEL]`                         | Select the AI model you want to use. |
+| `/model`, `/models [MODEL]`                         | Select the AI model you want to use, or choose **Auto**. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/auto-model-selection). |
 | `/permissions [show\|reset]`                        | View or clear in-memory tool and path approvals for the current session. |
 | `/plan [PROMPT]`                                    | Create an implementation plan before coding. |
 | `/plugin [marketplace\|install\|uninstall\|update\|list] [ARGS...]` | Manage plugins and plugin marketplaces. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/about-plugins). |
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ For a complete list of available slash commands enter `/help` in the CLI's inter
 | `--log-level=LEVEL`                | Set the log level (choices: `none`, `error`, `warning`, `info`, `debug`, `all`, `default`). |
 | `--max-autopilot-continues=COUNT`  | Maximum number of continuation messages in autopilot mode (default: unlimited). See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/copilot-cli/autopilot). |
 | `--mode=MODE`                      | Set the initial agent mode (choices: `interactive`, `plan`, `autopilot`). Cannot be combined with `--autopilot` or `--plan`. |
-| `--model=MODEL`                    | Set the AI model you want to use. Pass `auto` to let {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} pick the best available model automatically. |
+| `--model=MODEL`                    | Set the AI model you want to use. Pass `auto` as the value to let {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} pick the best available model automatically. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/auto-model-selection). |
 | `--mouse[=VALUE]`                  | Enable or disable mouse support in the interactive interface. VALUE can be `on` (default) or `off`. When enabled, the CLI captures mouse events—scroll wheel, clicks, and so on—to navigate its own interface, such as scrolling the timeline or clicking tabs. When disabled, the terminal's native mouse behavior, such as text selection and scrollback, is preserved. When you set this option explicitly, the value is persisted to your configuration file. |
 | `-n NAME`, `--name=NAME`           | Set a name for the new session. Used by `--resume` and `/resume` to find sessions by name. |
 | `--no-ask-user`                    | Disable the `ask_user` tool (the agent works autonomously without asking questions). |