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← AI PulseJul 30, 2026

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GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio July 2026 Update

GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio received a July 2026 update, introducing a new agent based on the Copilot SDK, built-in expertise from .NET and Azure teams, and expanded customization options.

By Illumora Editorial

Source · Jul 30, 2026, 3:01 PM · On Illumora · Jul 30, 2026, 3:18 PM

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Read the source →GitHub Changelog (Copilot) — GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio — July update - GitHub Changelog
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GitHub announced a July 2026 update for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio, introducing several enhancements for developers. The update includes a new agent, built-in skills from .NET and Azure teams, and new ways to tailor Copilot's behavior.

Key Points

  • A new agent, now in public preview, is available in Copilot Chat's agent picker, built on the GitHub Copilot SDK.
  • This new agent aims to complete tasks more accurately on the first attempt and provides shorter, more scannable responses.
  • Visual Studio now includes built-in skills from .NET and Azure experts, found in the "Built-in" category of the tool picker when relevant workloads are installed.
  • Developers can review selected code in the editor by right-clicking and choosing Copilot Actions > Review Selection to receive inline comments.
  • Organization owners can now add organization-level custom instructions to tailor Copilot's responses across their entire organization.
  • The new agent, built-in skills, and selected-code review features are available in all GitHub Copilot plans.
  • Organization-level custom instructions require GitHub Copilot Business or GitHub Copilot Enterprise plans.

Context

According to GitHub, the July 2026 update for Copilot in Visual Studio 2026 focuses on improving agentic workflows and customization. The new agent, based on the GitHub Copilot SDK, is designed to enhance task completion efficiency. Built-in skills from .NET and Azure teams offer specialized assistance, which users can enable as needed. The update also introduces a code review feature for selected code blocks and organization-wide custom instructions for enterprise users.

Why It Matters

This update provides developers with more refined tools for code generation and review within Visual Studio. The introduction of a new agent and specialized skills can streamline development workflows, potentially reducing the time spent on iterative tasks. Organization-level custom instructions offer a way to standardize Copilot's behavior across teams, which can improve consistency and adherence to coding standards.

What To Do

  • Select the new Agent (Preview) option from the agent picker in the Copilot Chat window to try the updated agent.
  • Check the "Built-in" category in the tool picker to review and enable .NET and Azure skills if corresponding workloads are installed.
  • Test the Copilot Actions > Review Selection feature by selecting a code block, right-clicking, and choosing the option to get inline comments.
  • Note that organization-level custom instructions are available for GitHub Copilot Business or GitHub Copilot Enterprise plans and can be managed under Tools > Options > GitHub > Copilot > Copilot Chat.

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