How to Run a Command While Keeping Your Input in GitHub Copilot CLI【Ctrl+S】

Overview#

Ever been writing a long prompt in Copilot CLI and thought “I want to run this, but I don’t want to lose what I typed in case I need to tweak it”?

Ctrl+S sends your prompt but keeps the text in the input field. No more retyping.

While typing a prompt, press Ctrl+S instead of Enter.

With Enter, the prompt is sent and the input field is cleared. With Ctrl+S, the prompt is sent but your text stays put.

Scenario	Why it helps
Iterating on a long prompt	Tweak and re-send without retyping
Running a check mid-edit	Your draft is preserved
Experimenting with variations	Easily modify and retry

Key	What happens
`Enter`	Send prompt, clear input
`Ctrl+S`	Send prompt, keep input

A small thing, but once you know about it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.