steer-agents.md

title	Steering agents in {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %}
shortTitle	Steer agents
intro	Guide {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} during task execution to keep work on track with your intent.
product	{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-cli %}
versions	feature copilot
contentType	how-tos
redirect_from	/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/use-copilot-cli-agents/steer-agents
category	Build with Copilot CLI
docsTeamMetrics	copilot-cli

Steer the conversation while {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is thinking

While {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is working on a task, you can enter a new prompt at any time. Any input you send while {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is thinking is treated as steering and is considered in the context of the current task.

There is no separate instruction queue. To provide additional instructions, enter another prompt while {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is running. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} processes each message in order as part of the active task.

Steering lets you:

• Interrupt an agent that is heading in the wrong direction.
• Provide inline feedback when rejecting a tool permission request.
• Refine or clarify the task scope partway through execution.

Next steps

To learn how to use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} to get an AI-powered review of your code changes, see AUTOTITLE.