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Local sandbox mode doesn't work on Linux #3653

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Description

@magodo

Describe the bug

https://github.blog/changelog/2026-06-02-cloud-and-local-sandboxes-for-github-copilot-now-in-public-preview/

Inside any Copilot session, enable sandboxing with /sandbox enable. Shell command execution initiated by Copilot for that session runs with restricted access to your filesystem, network, and system capabilities, so you can experiment with agentic workflows while staying in control of what Copilot can touch on your machine. Local sandboxing is built on Microsoft MXC technology for a consistent isolation experience across macOS, Linux, and Windows. Enterprise teams can also centrally configure and enforce local sandbox policies through Microsoft Intune and other MDM platforms. Local sandboxes are included in the standard GitHub Copilot seat.

While per my experiment on Linux, it doesn't work at all.

I start copilot from /tmp, then /sandbox enable. I simply prepare a shell script, which contains one line to cat a file under my home directory:

  ╭─╮╭─╮
  ╰─╯╰─╯  Copilot v1.0.59 uses AI.
  █ ▘▝ █  Check for mistakes.
   ▔▔▔▔

● No copilot-instructions.md found. Run /init to generate.

● Tip: /allow-all
  └ Enable all permissions (tools, paths, and URLs)

● Sandboxing has been enabled.

❯ Run /tmp/a.sh

● Run /tmp/a.sh (sandboxed shell)
  │ bash /tmp/a.sh
  └ 2 lines...

◐ Let me run the script.

● Script ran successfully, outputting hello.
❯ cat /tmp/a.sh
#!/bin/bash
cat ~/hello.txt

What I expect is the script run shall fail as the child process should inherit the sandbox access, which doesn't include the user's home directory.

Affected version

No response

Steps to reproduce the behavior

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Expected behavior

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Additional context

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Activity

  1. added theissue type on Jun 3, 2026
  2. added
    area:permissionsTool approval, security boundaries, sandbox mode, and directory restrictions
    area:platform-linuxLinux-specific: Wayland, X11, Ubuntu, Fedora, Alpine, ARM, terminal emulators
    on Jun 3, 2026
  3. self-assigned this
    on Jun 3, 2026
  4. magodo commented on Jun 4, 2026

    @magodo
    Author

    Well, I noticed the original permission control is a different system than the sandbox.

    In sandbox, you'll need to do more setting than the blog said (just /sandbox enable). You need to enter /sandbox, then go to the Filesystem tab, press a to add path. There needs document to clarify the behavior anyway, e.g. what is the default behavior when no paths are specified (seems it allows full access right now)?

  5. caarlos0 commented on Jul 2, 2026

    @caarlos0
    Member

    This should have been fixed on recent versions.

    Thanks!

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area:permissionsTool approval, security boundaries, sandbox mode, and directory restrictionsarea:platform-linuxLinux-specific: Wayland, X11, Ubuntu, Fedora, Alpine, ARM, terminal emulators

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