copilot_loop

Minimal MCP server exposing one tool: ask_user.

Purpose: let an agent ask the human for structured input via MCP elicitation form mode (Copilot UI renders the form).

Quick Start (npx)

No install needed! Configure your MCP client to run:

npx copilot_loop

What it does

• Implements MCP tool ask_user.
• Tool call triggers elicitation/create (mode "form") using the provided message + requestedSchema.
• Returns a JSON tool result envelope (status, action, content, error).
• While waiting for user input, sends periodic notifications/progress (when a progressToken is present) to reduce Copilot tool-call timeouts.
• Handles tool-call cancellation and clears in-flight state (so the next tool call works).
• Uses a long server->client elicitation request timeout (default 24h) so the user can take >60s to answer without the server timing out.

Installation Options

Option 1: npx (recommended)

No install needed. Just configure your MCP client with:

• Command: npx
• Args: copilot_loop

Option 2: Global install

npm install -g copilot_loop

Then configure:

• Command: copilot_loop

Option 3: Local development

git clone <repo>
cd copilot_loop
npm install
npm run build

Then configure:

• Command: node
• Args: /path/to/copilot_loop/dist/index.js

Debug logs:

ASK_USER_DEBUG=1 node dist/index.js

Timeout/keepalive knobs:

# Progress notification frequency (default: 5000)
ASK_USER_PROGRESS_INTERVAL_MS=5000

# Server->client elicitation request timeout (default: 86400000 = 24h)
ASK_USER_ELICITATION_TIMEOUT_MS=86400000

Global Copilot Instructions (recommended)

Add the following to your project's .github/copilot-instructions.md (or global config):

## MANDATORY: Use the `copilot_loop` `ask_user` tool

**You MUST call the `copilot_loop` `ask_user` tool before every turn ends. No exceptions.**

### Rules (MUST follow):

1. **ALWAYS end your turn by calling `ask_user`** — Never finish, pause, or yield control without calling this tool first.
2. **Call the tool IMMEDIATELY after completing any work** — Do not announce you will use it "next turn" or "later". Call it NOW, in THIS response.
3. **Questions require the tool** — If you ask the user a question, you MUST call `ask_user` in the same response. Do not ask questions in chat text alone.
4. **Confirmations require the tool** — After completing a task, call `ask_user` to confirm with the user (e.g., "Does this look good?" or "What's next?").

### Anti-patterns (NEVER do these):

❌ Ending your response without calling `ask_user`
❌ Saying "I'll use the tool in my next response"
❌ Asking a question in text without also calling `ask_user`
❌ Announcing you are done without calling `ask_user` to confirm

This explicit guidance helps ensure models (especially those less inclined to use tools) actually call the ask_user tool every turn.

JetBrains Copilot MCP config (stdio)

Use the IDE's MCP server configuration UI.

Recommended (npx):

• Command: npx
• Args: copilot_loop

With debug logs:

• Command: npx
• Args: copilot_loop
• Env: ASK_USER_DEBUG=1

See examples/mcp.json for a copy/paste starting point.