Building a Windows Productivity Tool Using GitHub Copilot CLI

Source: Dev.to

Overview

This submission for the GitHub Copilot CLI Challenge introduces PowerShell Helper, a lightweight CLI tool that lets you describe a task in plain English and instantly receive the correct PowerShell command along with a brief explanation. It addresses the friction of switching between Bash‑enabled terminals and PowerShell on Windows, eliminating the need to search for equivalents or ask external AI tools.

Repository

The source code is available on GitHub:

https://github.com/amarpreetbhatia/powershell-helper

Example Usage

# Convert a natural language task into a PowerShell command
powershell-helper "download the file from https://example.com/file.zip and save it to C:\Downloads"

# Output (example)
# Command: Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://example.com/file.zip" -OutFile "C:\Downloads\file.zip"
# Explanation: Uses Invoke-WebRequest to fetch the file and saves it to the specified path.

The tool runs directly from the command prompt or PowerShell, providing both the command and a short, beginner‑friendly explanation.

How Copilot CLI Helped

• Generated the initial PowerShell script structure
• Refined command output to be clear and beginner‑friendly
• Added safety and usability improvements (e.g., confirmation prompts)
• Drafted documentation quickly without leaving the terminal

All development was performed from a simple command prompt using the GitHub Copilot CLI, without opening an IDE.

Takeaways

• Copilot CLI integrates naturally into a terminal‑first workflow, removing the need to switch between editors, browsers, and AI chat interfaces.
• The project demonstrates that Copilot CLI is not only for writing code but also for rapidly prototyping and shipping small productivity tools.