GitHub Copilot Agent Now in Public Preview for Pro Users
GitHub Copilot Pro users can now delegate coding tasks to the Copilot agent, which works in the background. Student, Teacher, and OSS Maintainer Pro plans gain access next week.
GitHub has announced the public preview of its GitHub Copilot coding agent, now available for Copilot Pro subscribers. This feature allows developers to delegate coding tasks to Copilot, which operates autonomously in the background. Users on Student, Teacher, or OSS Maintainer Pro plans will gain access to the agent early next week.
How It Works
- Assign Tasks: Users can assign an issue to Copilot just like assigning it to a teammate.
- Request Pull Requests: Developers can also ask Copilot to create a pull request directly from Copilot Chat.
Behind the Scenes
The agent leverages GitHub Actions to power a secure, cloud-based development environment. It autonomously:
- Explores the repository.
- Makes changes to the code.
- Validates its work using tests and linters before pushing changes.
Once completed, Copilot tags the user for review. Developers can then:
- Request adjustments by commenting on the pull request.
- Continue working locally by checking out the branch, with Copilot assisting in their IDE.
Usage Costs
Running the agent consumes:
- GitHub Actions minutes (details here).
- Copilot premium requests (learn more).
Getting Started
For best practices and setup instructions, visit the Copilot coding agent documentation.
This release marks a significant step in AI-assisted development, enabling developers to offload routine tasks and focus on higher-value work.
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Michael Rodriguez
AI Technology Journalist
Veteran technology journalist with 12 years of focus on AI industry reporting. Former AI section editor at TechCrunch, now freelance writer contributing in-depth AI industry analysis to renowned media outlets like Wired and The Verge. Has keen insights into AI startups and emerging technology trends.