What's new with the GitHub Copilot coding agent: A look at the updates

Key Concepts

• GitHub Copilot coding agent
• Copilot Business
• Copilot Pro
• GitHub remote MCP server
• create_pull_request_with_copilot tool
• Ad hoc task assignment
• Playwright
• User interface (UI) evaluation
• Screenshot sharing
• Local MCP servers
• Remote MCP servers

Updates to GitHub Copilot Coding Agent

Since Microsoft Build, the GitHub Copilot coding agent has received several updates, expanding its availability and capabilities.

Availability for Copilot Business and Copilot Pro Users

The Copilot coding agent is now accessible to both Copilot Business and Copilot Pro users. For Copilot Business users, it's crucial that the organization or enterprise administrator enables access to the Copilot coding agent to begin utilizing its features.

Assignment of Work via GitHub Remote MCP Server

Users can now assign tasks to GitHub Copilot using the GitHub remote MCP server. The presence of the create_pull_request_with_copilot tool signifies the ability to delegate work to Copilot through tools that support remote MCP servers.

Dashboard for Task Management

A new dashboard provides a centralized view of recent tasks assigned to Copilot. This dashboard allows users to monitor the progress of delegated tasks and gain insights into Copilot's activities.

Ad Hoc Task Creation and Assignment

The dashboard facilitates the creation and assignment of ad hoc tasks to Copilot. This feature enables users to spontaneously delegate tasks based on emerging needs or inspiration. The ad hoc task creation functionality is also available on mobile.

Playwright Integration for UI Evaluation

Copilot coding agent now includes Playwright by default. Playwright is used to evaluate user interface (UI) changes made by Copilot. This allows Copilot to assess the correctness of updates and iterate within the session until the changes are successfully completed.

Screenshot Sharing for Visual Review

Copilot can now capture and share screenshots of the changes it makes, incorporating them into the pull request body. These screenshots provide a quick visual overview of the UI updates, enabling users to rapidly understand the state of the changes before delving into a development environment.

Remote MCP Server Support

The coding agent, which previously supported local MCP servers, now extends its support to remote MCP servers. This allows users to access MCP servers hosted by third parties, reducing the need for local management and the time required to provision them.

Getting Started

Users can begin using the Copilot coding agent by assigning a GitHub issue to Copilot or creating an ad hoc task at github.com/copilot/agents.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The updates to the GitHub Copilot coding agent focus on expanding accessibility, improving task management, enhancing UI evaluation through Playwright integration, and streamlining MCP server management. These enhancements aim to make Copilot a more versatile and efficient tool for developers, enabling them to delegate tasks, visually review changes, and reduce the overhead associated with managing MCP servers.