GitHub Copilot gets a coding agent that can automatically perform assigned coding tasks. The coding assistance is available for Copilot Enterprise.
AI agents are all the rage during Microsoft Build. Microsoft wants to show that it’s fully on board with the latest trend in the AI world, and this applies to its subsidiaries as well. GitHub is launching a coding agent within Copilot during the conference.
The new AI assistant goes a step further than the version of GitHub Copilot that has been available since the summer of 2021. GitHub Copilot was one of the pioneers of the generative AI hype, but remains limited to answering questions about your code from an advisory role. The newly announced coding agent can be entrusted with coding tasks and execute them without the need for human intervention.
Automatically Writing Code
GitHub Copilot can now independently perform development tasks such as bug fixes, refactoring, or test expansions. As soon as an issue is assigned to Copilot, the agent starts a temporary, controlled development environment. During the work, the agent automatically creates commits and pull requests. Developers can follow the progress via the agent’s logs and manually review the work for approval.
The agent works based on retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and uses the search capabilities within GitHub to analyze the codebase. It also supports Model Context Protocol (MCP), making data from external sources accessible, including visual input such as screenshots from GitHub issues.
The agent’s pull requests always require human approval. The agent can only make changes in branches it has created itself and follows all existing repository rules and CI/CD policies. Internet access can also be restricted.
Available in Multiple Development Environments
Developers can activate the agent via the GitHub platform, mobile app, or the GitHub CLI. The agent is compatible with multiple editors, including Visual Studio, Xcode, Eclipse, and JetBrains IDEs. The development environment runs locally or in containers. All code is generated and validated in accordance with project standards and linked to existing review and approval processes.
The new agent is intended for low to medium complexity tasks in well-structured codebases. According to GitHub, the agent can automate repetitive tasks, allowing development teams more time for creative and strategic work. Users can provide feedback in pull requests, to which the agent automatically responds with customized suggestions.
The coding agent is now available for Copilot Enterprise and Copilot Pro+ subscribers. Admins need to activate the feature. GitHub positions the extension as a next step in the evolution of AI-assisted software development, where AI can now independently perform tasks.