Get started with Copilot agents on GitHub

Prerequisite

You need a repository where Copilot cloud agent is enabled. For Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise subscribers, an administrator must enable the agent before you can use it. See AUTOTITLE.

Step 1: Assign an issue to Copilot

Pick a repository where Copilot cloud agent is enabled and find an open issue—or create a small one, such as "Add a CONTRIBUTING.md file."

1. In the right sidebar, click Assignees, then select Copilot.

2. Optionally, add instructions in the Optional prompt field.

   For example: Keep the file short and include a code of conduct section.

3. Click Assign.

Copilot starts a session and begins working on a pull request.

Step 2: Start a research task at the same time

While Copilot works on the issue, start a second, non-coding task to see two sessions running in parallel.

1. In the same repository, click the agent Agents tab.

2. Type a research prompt.

   For example: Investigate which dependencies in this repo are outdated and summarize what upgrading would involve.

3. Click Start task or press Enter.

A second session appears in the panel alongside the first.

Step 3: Watch both sessions

Both sessions update in real time. Click either session to view the agent's reasoning, the files it reads, and the changes it makes.

While a session is running, type in the prompt box below the log to steer the agent.

For example: Focus on security-related dependencies first.

For more details on monitoring, steering, and stopping sessions, see AUTOTITLE.

Step 4: Request a Copilot code review on the pull request

When the coding task finishes, Copilot opens a pull request and adds you as a reviewer.

1. Open the pull request from the notification or from the session log.
2. Under "Reviewers" in the right sidebar, next to Copilot, click Request.
3. Wait for Copilot code review to leave comments—usually under 30 seconds.

Read through the review comments. Copilot may suggest changes you can apply directly with a click.

For the full set of code-review options, see AUTOTITLE.

Step 5: Review the output and iterate

Now review the code changes yourself, just as you would for any contributor's pull request.

• Request changes from Copilot — mention @copilot in a comment describing what to fix. Copilot pushes new commits to the same branch.
• Make changes yourself — check out the branch and push your own commits.
• Approve and merge — when you're satisfied, merge the pull request.

For more on reviewing Copilot's work, see AUTOTITLE.

Next steps

• AUTOTITLE — Write effective prompts and get the most out of agents.