Join the GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge – Win Universe Tickets, Pro+ Subscriptions, and $1,000 Cash

GitHub just dropped a fresh competition that feels tailor‑made for agency teams that love to blend AI with the command line. From January 22 to February 15, the GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge invites you to build anything you can imagine using the new Copilot CLI, then submit a DEV post for a shot at cash, a ticket to GitHub Universe 2026, and a year of Copilot Pro+.

Below is the low‑down on why this challenge matters, what the CLI can do, how to enter, and the tactics that can push your entry from “nice” to “winner.”

Why the Copilot CLI Is a Game‑Changer for Agencies

The Copilot CLI is in public preview (announced September 2025) and brings the same large‑language‑model assistant that powers Copilot in VS Code straight into your terminal.

• Terminal‑native development – No context‑switching; you ask the AI to generate, edit, or debug code while you stay in your shell.
• Built‑in GitHub integration – Pull issues, create PRs, or list repo files with natural‑language commands, all authenticated with your existing account.
• Agentic capabilities – The CLI can plan multi‑step tasks, run them, and let you preview every action before it touches your codebase.
• MCP extensibility – It ships with GitHub’s MCP server, so you can plug in custom agents for domain‑specific workflows.

For an agency that spins up internal tools, automates client pipelines, or builds rapid prototypes, the CLI slashes the friction of jumping between editor, terminal, and GitHub UI. It’s the kind of productivity boost that translates directly into billable hours.

What the Challenge Actually Asks For

Your mission is simple: build an application using GitHub Copilot CLI. The scope is wide open – from a productivity booster that automates daily tasks, to a quirky experiment that showcases the agent’s creativity, to a problem‑solver that tackles a real client pain point. The judges care most about how the CLI enhances your development flow, not the specific domain you choose.

Eligible Project Types

• Productivity tools – scripts that streamline builds, deployments, or content generation.
• Fun experiments – AI‑driven games, chatbots, or visualizations that play with natural‑language prompts.
• Problem solvers – utilities that address common developer frustrations (e.g., automated code reviews, dependency audits).
• Creative utilities – anything that demonstrates the CLI’s ability to understand context and produce code on the fly.

How to Enter (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Install the CLI – npm install -g @github/copilot and authenticate with your GitHub account.
2. Build your project – Use copilot commands (copilot generate, copilot edit, copilot run, etc.) to create the core functionality.
3. Document your process – Write a DEV post using the official submission template (linked in the challenge description). Include testing credentials if your app requires login.
4. Publish before the deadline – Submissions close at 11:59 PM PST on February 15.
5. Optional: Form a team – You may collaborate with up to four people; list all team handles in your post.

All participants who publish a valid post receive a completion badge on their DEV profile.

Prizes Worth the Effort

• Three winners each get $1,000 USD, a ticket to GitHub Universe 2026 (Oct 28‑29), and an exclusive DEV badge.
• Twenty‑five runner‑ups receive a 1‑year GitHub Copilot Pro+ subscription plus the badge.
• Every valid submission earns a completion badge.

Beyond the tangible rewards, winning puts your agency on the radar of GitHub’s product team and the broader developer community—a great marketing boost.

Tips for Crafting a Winning Entry

• Show the AI in action – Include screenshots or GIFs of the CLI prompts and the resulting code. Judges love visible evidence that the agent did the heavy lifting.
• Explain the workflow – Walk readers through the problem, the prompt you gave Copilot, the preview step, and the final result. Highlight any iteration loops.
• Keep the codebase tidy – Even though the CLI can generate whole files, a clean repo with a concise README signals professionalism.
• Leverage GitHub integration – Use copilot issue or copilot pr commands to demonstrate end‑to‑end automation, not just code generation.
• Avoid plagiarism – If you riff on open‑source code, clearly state what you borrowed and what you added; otherwise you risk disqualification.
• Engage the community – Positive reactions on your DEV post can break ties in judging, so share the post in relevant Discords, Twitter threads, or agency newsletters.

Common Pitfalls and How to Sidestep Them

Next Steps for Your Agency

1. Gather a small squad (max 4) and assign roles: prompt engineer, reviewer, and documentation lead.
2. Pick a problem that aligns with a client need – this doubles as a showcase for future work.
3. Prototype quickly using the CLI’s copilot generate to spin up scaffolding, then iterate.
4. Write the DEV post early; treat it as a case study you’ll publish regardless of the outcome.
5. Submit before the deadline and share the post on your agency’s socials to rack up reactions.

The GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge isn’t just a contest; it’s a chance to embed AI‑driven tooling into your agency’s DNA, win some serious swag, and get noticed by the folks shaping the future of developer tools.

Good luck, and may your prompts be ever precise!