Using GitHub Copilot to create or update issues
Use Copilot to quickly generate structured, high-quality issues from natural language or images, without filling out every field manually.
This feature is in public preview and subject to change.
Copilot can create or update issues from a natural-language prompt or a screenshot. It fills in the title, body, labels, assignees, and more—using your repository's issue forms or templates when available. Review and refine every draft before you submit.
Create an issue
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Navigate to https://github.com/copilot.
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In the prompt box, describe the issue you want to create. Use
repo-owner/repo-nameto target a specific repository.For example:
In OWNER/REPOSITORY, create a feature request to add fuzzy matching to search.Log a bug for a 500 error. This happens consistently when I try to log into the site.Create a task to change the application logo background to red and add the label "needs design review".You can only create issues in repositories where you already have permission to do so.
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Optionally, paste, drag, or attach an image to your prompt. Add text to describe the issue, for example:
Create an issue because this error appears when trying to reset a password. -
Copilot drafts an issue with a suggested title, body, and metadata (labels, assignees, issue type). If your repository has issue forms or templates, Copilot maps your prompt to the relevant fields.
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Review the draft. Edit any field, choose a different template, or ask Copilot to make changes with a follow-up prompt.
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Click Create.
Create multiple issues
If your prompt includes multiple tasks or bugs, Copilot drafts each one separately.
For example:
In OWNER/REPOSITORY, create 3 issues: 1) DETAILS OF ONE TASK, 2) DETAILS OF ANOTHER TASK, 3) DETAILS OF A THIRD TASKReview and edit each draft individually, then click Create to publish.
Create sub-issues
Copilot can break a task into a parent issue with sub-issues.
For example:
In octo-org/octo-repo, plan a new user dashboard. Break it down into an epic, and create sub-issues for each main feature and task.
Copilot generates a draft issue tree with a parent issue and sub-issues beneath it. Expand or collapse sub-issues, edit details, and use follow-up prompts to add or remove sub-issues.
When you're ready, click Review and create, then click Create issues.
Update an existing issue
Prompt Copilot to modify an issue that already exists. For example:
In octo-org/octo-repo, update issue #123 to add more details about the bug and steps to reproduce it. Also, change the label to "bug" and assign it to @username.
Review the draft in the workbench, then click Update.
Link to existing parent or sub-issues
Copilot can connect new issues to ones that already exist. For example:
Create a sub-issue for octo-org/octo-repo issue #456.Create a parent issue for octo-org/octo-repo issue #456.Create a parent issue for octo-org/octo-repo issues #456, #457, and #458.
Review the draft in the workbench, then click Review and create > Create issues.
Assign an issue to Copilot
With Copilot cloud agent enabled, you can assign an issue to Copilot during creation. See AUTOTITLE.
- Natural language: Include
Assign this issue to Copilot.in your prompt. - Manually: Select "Copilot" from the assignee list.
Copilot starts working on the issue automatically after creation.