How to Build an Emoji List Generator Using GitHub Copilot CLI

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<p>Ever seen those sleek social media posts with perfectly placed emojis next to bullet points? Sure, they look great, but crafting them manually can be a drag when you’re in a fast-moving development flow. In a recent <strong>Rubber Duck Thursdays</strong> stream, the GitHub team tackled this problem head-on by building an <strong>emoji list generator</strong> powered by the <strong>GitHub Copilot CLI</strong>. Below, we break down the project into a Q&A format so you can understand exactly what it does, how it was created, and how you can build your own.</p> <h2 id="what-is-the-project">1. What exactly is the Emoji List Generator?</h2> <p>The Emoji List Generator is a terminal-based application that automatically adds relevant emojis to your bullet-point lists. You simply paste or type a list of items, press <kbd>Ctrl+S</kbd>, and the app uses AI to assign appropriate emojis to each point. The final enhanced list is then copied straight to your clipboard, ready to be posted on social media, in changelogs, or anywhere else. The idea came from the common practice of posting emoji-rich release notes or announcements, where manually picking the right emoji can be time-consuming. With this tool, the process becomes instant and intelligent.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://github.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-19.png?fit=2064%2C1076" alt="How to Build an Emoji List Generator Using GitHub Copilot CLI" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: github.blog</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="how-it-was-built">2. How was the generator built during the stream?</h2> <p>During the stream, the team used a combination of the <strong>GitHub Copilot CLI</strong> and other open source libraries. They started by activating <strong>Plan mode</strong> in the CLI and described the goal: an AI-powered markdown emoji list generator. Copilot asked clarifying questions about the tech stack—such as whether to use <strong>OpenTUI</strong> for the terminal interface—and then generated a complete <code>plan.md</code> file. The plan was then implemented using <strong>Claude Opus 4.7</strong> in <strong>Autopilot mode</strong>. Within minutes, the terminal UI was up and running, demonstrating the power of multi-model workflows and the Copilot SDK.</p> <h2 id="key-technologies">3. What key technologies were used?</h2> <p>The project leveraged several cool technologies:</p> <ul> <li><strong>@opentui/core</strong> – for building the terminal user interface (recommended by community member Gabor).</li> <li><strong>@github/copilot-sdk</strong> – the AI brain that intelligently maps each bullet point to a relevant emoji.</li> <li><strong>clipboardy</strong> – a simple library to copy the result to the clipboard.</li> <li><strong>GitHub Copilot CLI</strong> – used in both Plan and Autopilot modes, with the <code>--allow-all-tools</code> flag and the <strong>GitHub MCP server</strong> for maximum flexibility.</li> </ul> <p>These components worked together to create a small but mighty tool.</p> <h2 id="copilot-cli-role">4. How did the GitHub Copilot CLI specifically help?</h2> <p>The GitHub Copilot CLI acted as the project’s co-pilot from start to finish. First, in <strong>Plan mode</strong>, it turned a vague idea into a structured plan by asking targeted questions—like which libraries to use and how to handle edge cases. Then, in <strong>Autopilot mode</strong>, it wrote the actual code using Claude Opus 4.7, implementing the plan without manual coding. The CLI also supported a <strong>multi-model workflow</strong>, allowing the team to use different AI models for different stages. The <code>--allow-all-tools</code> flag gave the AI access to tools like file creation and package installation, making the process seamless. This shows how the CLI can accelerate prototyping.</p><figure style="margin:20px 0"><img src="https://github.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AI-DarkMode-4.png?resize=800%2C425" alt="How to Build an Emoji List Generator Using GitHub Copilot CLI" style="width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy"><figcaption style="font-size:12px;color:#666;margin-top:5px">Source: github.blog</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="features">5. What are the main features of the emoji list generator?</h2> <p>The tool runs entirely in the terminal and offers a simple three-step workflow: you paste or type a bullet list, press <kbd>Ctrl+S</kbd>, and the app automatically replaces each bullet with an appropriate emoji based on the text content. The result is then copied to your clipboard, ready to paste into a tweet, blog post, or GitHub release note. The emoji selection is handled by the Copilot SDK, which understands context—for example, “ship code” might get 🚀 while “fix bug” gets 🐛. The interface uses OpenTUI to provide a clean, user-friendly terminal experience. And best of all, the project is <strong>free and open source</strong>, so you can customize it as you wish.</p> <h2 id="get-started">6. How can I build my own version?</h2> <p>Getting started is straightforward. First, ensure you have the <a href="#">GitHub Copilot CLI</a> installed and set up. Then clone the open source repository of the Emoji List Generator. The project documentation includes a step-by-step guide, and you can also watch the full stream recording for a demo. If you want to build from scratch, use Plan mode in the Copilot CLI to describe your requirements—it will generate a plan for you. Then use Autopilot mode with a model like Claude Opus 4.7 to implement it. Don’t forget to explore the <a href="#">GitHub Copilot SDK</a> for the AI logic and OpenTUI for the terminal UI. Happy building!</p> <h2 id="why-emoji-generator">7. Why would someone need an emoji list generator?</h2> <p>In today’s fast-paced development environment, even small tasks like adding emojis to release notes can become a bottleneck. The Emoji List Generator saves time and mental energy by automating a repetitive, yet creative, task. It also ensures consistency—no more debating whether “launch” should be 🚀 or 🎉—the AI picks what fits best. For teams that frequently post updates on social media or maintain changelogs, this tool can become a handy part of their workflow. Plus, it’s a fun way to showcase how AI can assist in everyday coding tasks, making the development process more enjoyable and efficient.</p>