GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2026 September Update
The September update brings deeper workflow visibility, allowing developers to explore pull requests within chat, utilize team-preferred AI models, and instantly resolve vulnerable packages.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Exploring Pull Requests with the Git Agent
The September 2026 update for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio introduces deeper workflow visibility, highlighted by the introduction of the Git agent. Developers can now open GitHub Copilot Chat, select the Git agent, and attach a pull request as context directly from the Git Repository window to receive a comprehensive summary with navigable links to underlying files and comments. This functionality relies on connecting your Git provider's Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, with support available for both GitHub and Azure DevOps.
To experience these new capabilities, users can download the latest environment by visiting the official [Download Visual Studio 2026](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads) page. Additional details regarding the broader release can also be reviewed directly in the [release notes](https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/releases/2026/release-notes) provided by Microsoft.
Updates to Bring Your Own Model (BYOM)
The Bring Your Own Model (BYOM) feature has arrived in preview, allowing developers to utilize the AI models their teams prefer through GitHub Copilot or independent model deployments, regardless of whether they are signed in to GitHub. This feature is enabled by default across Community, Professional, and Enterprise editions of the IDE.
A notable breaking change accompanies this preview update: BYOM now requires the new Agent (Preview), which is built on the GitHub Copilot SDK-powered harness. The previous Ask and Agent modes no longer support BYOM configurations, and developers will need to manually re-add any previously configured Ollama models following the update. Supported providers in this release include Microsoft Foundry, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Ollama.
Resolving NuGet Vulnerabilities from the Error List
Security workflows within Visual Studio 2026 have also been streamlined. NuGet Audit warnings that appear within the Error List now feature a direct fixer action. Clicking this option automatically opens GitHub Copilot Chat in agent mode, prompting Copilot to address and resolve vulnerable packages utilizing the NuGet MCP server.
To utilize this automated vulnerability-fixing capability, users must be signed in to GitHub Copilot and have the NuGet MCP server enabled directly from the Copilot Chat tools menu. These enhancements are accessible to developers across a wide range of pricing tiers, ensuring broad availability.
Plan Availability and Further Resources
The latest set of updates is available to users across all tier options outlined on the [GitHub Copilot plans](https://docs.github.com/copilot/get-started/plans) page, including Copilot Free, Student, Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise offerings.
Developers seeking deeper technical insights, roadmap updates, and opportunities to provide product feedback can consult the official [Visual Studio blog](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio) for comprehensive articles detailing the latest workflow improvements.
Sources
- GitHub ChangelogGitHub Copilot in Visual Studio — September update
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