Copilot chat incorrectly interprets/adds extra backslashes in user prompts

[craigphicks]

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Problem Description

When users paste text containing backslashes into the chat, Copilot appears to see additional backslashes that aren't actually present in the input. This makes it particularly difficult for Copilot to correctly handle shell commands or other text that requires precise backslash escaping.

Example

When a user pastes this command:

RUN echo 'PROMPT_COMMAND="export HISTFILE=\"\\$PWD/.bash_history\"; history -a; history -c; history -r; ${PROMPT_COMMAND:-}"' >> ~/.bashrc

Copilot sees and tries to work with a different version that has additional backslashes. If asked to repeat that prompt it will add in extra backslashes that it sees in the input:

RUN echo 'PROMPT_COMMAND=\"export HISTFILE=\\\"\\\\$PWD/.bash_history\\\"; history -a; history -c; history -r; ${PROMPT_COMMAND:-}\"' >> ~/.bashrc

Verification

By passing the following literal hex encoding of the above example, copilot sees the exact input and can repeat back the original text version exactly.

52554E206563686F202750524F4D50545F434F4D4D414E443D226578706F7274204849535446494C453D5C225C5C245057442F2E626173685F686973746F72795C223B20686973746F7279202D613B20686973746F7279202D633B20686973746F7279202D723B20247B50524F4D50545F434F4D4D414E443A2D7D2227203E3E207E2F2E626173687263

This shows the extra backslashes are getting added in on the way to copilot, not on the way back, nor is it a problem with copilot logic.

Suggested Solutions

1. Consider adding a raw input mode that preserves exact character sequences. E.g., it will convert selected text to Hex code and send that.

[Akash1134]

Hello @craigphicks,

Thank you for highlighting this issue with GitHub Copilot chat's handling of backslashes in text inputs. You've provided an excellent analysis and demonstration of the problem.

What's happening

As you've correctly identified, when text containing backslashes is pasted into GitHub Copilot chat, additional backslashes are being added during the input processing phase - before the text even reaches Copilot's model. This is particularly problematic for shell commands, escape sequences, and other code snippets where precise backslash handling is critical.

Your verification using the hex encoding was a clever approach that confirms the issue is occurring during input processing rather than in Copilot's interpretation or response generation.

Related resource: GitHub Copilot documentation - For general information about GitHub Copilot features and functionality.

Potential workarounds

Until this issue is addressed, here are some potential workarounds:

1. Use alternate characters where possible: For commands where it's feasible, you could temporarily use forward slashes or other characters and then ask Copilot to help convert them back.

2. Break complex commands into smaller pieces: Instead of pasting a complete command with many backslashes, you might have better results discussing each part separately.

3. Use your hex encoding approach: While not convenient, your method of converting to hex encoding does successfully preserve the exact characters.

4. Use code blocks: Sometimes placing the text in markdown code blocks (using triple backticks) might help preserve some formatting, though this isn't a complete solution for the backslash issue.

   Resource: GitHub Markdown documentation - For information on formatting code in GitHub.

5. VS Code-specific workarounds: If you're using Copilot in VS Code, there might be alternative ways to interact with the chat.

   Resource: VS Code Copilot documentation - For VS Code-specific Copilot functionality.

Your suggested solution

I agree with your suggestion of adding a raw input mode that preserves exact character sequences. This would be tremendously helpful not just for backslash handling but for any situation requiring precise character preservation.

Resources to track this issue:

• GitHub Changelog - For announcements of fixes or improvements
• GitHub Blog - For major feature announcements and updates
• GitHub Copilot Trust Center - For information about GitHub's approach to Copilot development

Next steps

I'll ensure your feedback is highlighted to the appropriate teams. This is an important issue for anyone working with shell scripts, escape sequences, or regular expressions in Copilot chat.

Thank you for your thorough report and clever verification method. These kinds of detailed reports are incredibly valuable for improving the GitHub Copilot experience.

[craigphicks]

Regarding "Potential Workarounds"

• A. "4. VS Code-specific workarounds" - So actually I was using the Github site web interface, and I should have mentioned that fact (my bad). Perhaps the VSCode interface does not have the same problem. That information deserves to be posted here (TODO).

• B. "5. Use code blocks:" - With the Github site web interface the behavior was observed to be the same inside and outside code blocks. Makes sense because the escaping is probably done as part of sanitization of input which necessarily happens before any other processing or analysis of content.

• C "1. Use alternate characters where possible" and "2. Break complex commands into smaller pieces", - these look like AI generated waffle which the author failed to filter before posting his reply. Lets try to keep the internet clean and postpone AI model collapse as long as we possibly can. (Intended as friendly humorous remark).

• D "3. Use your hex encoding approach" - Will do, thank you.

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