Overview of September 2026 Releases

The official [GitHub Changelog](https://github.blog/changelog/2026-10-01-github-copilot-in-vs-code-september-2026-releases/) details a comprehensive set of updates for [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com) shipped throughout September 2026. Spanning versions v1.136 through v1.140, the latest toolsets are designed to streamline agent-driven development from the initial implementation phase all the way through to merging pull requests.

Developers can review the complete set of changes by checking the release notes covering [v1.136 through v1.140](https://aka.ms/VSCode/Release). These updates focus heavily on reducing repeatable chores, utilizing automations, and improving session management to keep complex coding tasks organized.

Advanced Agent Management and Automations

The updated Agents window introduces powerful tools to automate work and seamlessly manage sessions. Developers can now schedule recurring tasks to run on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, or trigger them on demand using either a custom prompt or pre-made templates. This particular feature is currently available in preview.

Additionally, the introduction of agent merge in active sessions allows the system to autonomously handle review feedback, resolve failed checks, navigate merge conflicts, and rerun workflows. To help developers monitor progress, an optional application badge surfaces new results, input requests, and pull request checks directly on the user's dock, taskbar, or launcher.

Streamlining Pull Requests and Session Organization

Managing code delivery has become more integrated with the capability to create pull requests directly from active agent sessions. Working within the Agents window for Copilot, Claude, or Codex sessions, developers can open the pull request form to review and edit titles and descriptions, select draft or merge options, and complete creation.

To keep development spaces clean, the platform now offers 'Mark as Done' suggestions once pull requests are successfully merged. Users can also configure automatic session cleanup. Furthermore, hierarchical session lists and dedicated navigation links make it straightforward to track related chats and switch back to source conversations effortlessly.

Workspace Enhancements and Dev Container Support

Environment updates in the September releases make it easier to maintain necessary project contexts across multiple workspaces. Developers can initiate a general Copilot chat without a workspace and subsequently attach a local folder to make the conversation context-specific.

Furthermore, users can start Dev Container sessions directly from the Agents window by selecting the Dev Container option from local or remote folders. This functionality runs agent sessions configured with the project's exact tools and dependencies, supporting SSH, Tunnel, and WSL hosts seamlessly.

Enhanced Chat Capabilities and Model Coordination

Chat interactions have also received significant tuning to maintain an uninterrupted workflow. When an agent dispatches a message to an ongoing chat, it no longer interrupts the user's active turn. Developers can also enrich any chat by adding a GitHub issue or pull request via the 'Add Context' option or by pasting its URL directly into the input field.

For advanced model handling, a research preview feature named HydraFusion allows eligible users to select HydraFusion within the model picker, enabling the system to coordinate and choose optimal models and workflows for specific coding tasks automatically.

Sources

• GitHub ChangelogGitHub Copilot in VS Code, September 2026 releases