Refresh "GitHub Copilot features" article (#60825)

isaacmbrown · Copilot · web-flow · commit fd4c5c084a3a · 2026-04-22T08:52:10.000Z
Co-authored-by: Copilot Autofix powered by AI &lt;175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com&gt;
diff --git a/content/copilot/get-started/features.md b/content/copilot/get-started/features.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: GitHub Copilot features
-intro: '{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} offers a suite of features. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} also offers a suite of features for administrators.'
+intro: '{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} offers a suite of features for users and administrators.'
 versions:
   feature: copilot
 shortTitle: Features
@@ -15,65 +15,91 @@ category:
   - Learn about Copilot
 ---
 
-## {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} features
+## Assistive features
+
+These tools are used synchronously, providing advice or suggestions as people work on a task.
 
 ### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}
 
-A chat interface that lets you ask coding-related questions. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} is available on the {% data variables.product.github %} website, in {% data variables.product.prodname_mobile %}, in supported IDEs _({% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, JetBrains IDEs, Eclipse IDE, and Xcode)_, and in {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %}. Users can also use skills with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/asking-github-copilot-questions-in-github) and [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/asking-github-copilot-questions-in-your-ide).
+A chat interface that lets you ask coding-related questions. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} is available on the {% data variables.product.github %} website, in {% data variables.product.prodname_mobile %}, in supported IDEs, and in {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %}. Users can also use skills with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/asking-github-copilot-questions-in-github) and [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/asking-github-copilot-questions-in-your-ide).
 
-### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent_tmp %}
+### Inline suggestions
 
-An autonomous AI agent that can research a repository, create an implementation plan, and make code changes on a branch. You can review the diff, iterate, and create a pull request when you're ready. You can also assign a {% data variables.product.github %} issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} or ask it to open a pull request directly to complete a task. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/cloud-agent).
+Autocomplete-style suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in supported IDEs. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/getting-code-suggestions-in-your-ide-with-github-copilot).
 
-### Third-party coding agents ({% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %})
+If you use {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}, Xcode, or Eclipse, you can also use {% data variables.copilot.next_edit_suggestions %}, which will predict the location of the next edit you are likely to make and suggest a completion for it.
 
-You can use third-party coding agents alongside {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/free-pro-team@latest/copilot/concepts/agents/about-third-party-agents).
+### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_for_prs %}
+
+AI-generated summaries of the changes that were made in a pull request, which files they impact, and what a reviewer should focus on when they conduct their review. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/creating-a-pull-request-summary-with-github-copilot).
+
+### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_desktop_short %}
+
+Automatically generate commit messages and descriptions with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_desktop_short %} based on the changes you make to your project.
+
+## Agentic features
+
+These features can work autonomously without direct human supervision. However, they typically need human approval to perform sensitive actions, such as running commands in a developer's terminal or merging a pull request.
 
 ### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}
 
-A command line interface that lets you use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} from within the terminal. You can get answers to questions, or you can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to make changes to your local files. You can also use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} to interact with {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}—for example, listing your open pull requests, or asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create an issue. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli).
+A command line interface that lets you use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in your terminal. Use the CLI to add features or fix bugs, then create a pull request. Start {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} working on a task in your terminal, then continue working in the same session on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}, or on your mobile. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/about-copilot-cli).
+
+### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent_tmp %}
+
+An autonomous AI agent that can research a repository, create an implementation plan, and make code changes on a branch. You can review the diff, iterate, and create a pull request when you're ready. You can also assign a {% data variables.product.github %} issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} or ask it to open a pull request directly to complete a task. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/cloud-agent).
+
+### Third-party coding agents ({% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %})
+
+You can use third-party coding agents alongside {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}. Third-party agents are subject to the same security protections, mitigations, and limitations as {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/about-third-party-agents).
 
 ### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %}
 
 AI-generated code review suggestions to help you write better code. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/code-review/using-copilot-code-review).
 
 Several {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review-tools_short %} are in {% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %} and subject to change. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/code-review).
 
-### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_for_prs %}
+### Agent mode in IDEs
 
-AI-generated summaries of the changes that were made in a pull request, which files they impact, and what a reviewer should focus on when they conduct their review. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/creating-a-pull-request-summary-with-github-copilot).
+Allow {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work autonomously in the IDE. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will determine which files to make changes to, offer code changes and terminal commands for the user's approval, and iterate to remediate issues until the original task is complete.
 
-### Inline suggestions
+### {% data variables.product.prodname_spark %} ({% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %})
+
+Build and deploy full-stack applications using natural-language prompts that seamlessly integrate with the {% data variables.product.github %} platform for advanced development. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/spark/build-apps-with-spark).
 
-Autocomplete-style suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in supported IDEs ({% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, JetBrains IDEs, Azure Data Studio, Xcode, Vim/Neovim, and Eclipse). See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/getting-code-suggestions-in-your-ide-with-github-copilot).
+## Features for customization
 
-If you use {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}, Xcode, and Eclipse, you can also use {% data variables.copilot.next_edit_suggestions %}, which will predict the location of the next edit you are likely to make and suggest a completion for it.
+These features can be used to add context to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} and improve its performance. For a comparison of when to use each feature, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/reference/customization-cheat-sheet).
 
-### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_edits_short %}
+### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_spaces %}
 
-{% data variables.copilot.copilot_edits_short %} is available in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, and JetBrains IDEs. {% data reusables.copilot.copilot-edits.about-copilot-edits %}
+Organize and centralize relevant content—like code, docs, specs, and more—into {% data variables.copilot.copilot_spaces_short %} that ground {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}’s responses in the right context for a specific task. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/copilot-spaces/about-organizing-and-sharing-context-with-copilot-spaces).
 
-### {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} custom instructions
+### Custom instructions
 
-Enhance {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} responses by providing contextual details on your preferences, tools, and requirements. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/about-customizing-github-copilot-chat-responses).
+Enhance responses by providing contextual details on your preferences, tools, and requirements. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/prompting/response-customization).
 
 ### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} ({% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %})
 
 {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can deduce and store useful information about a repository, which {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} can use to improve the quality of their output when working in that repository. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/copilot-memory).
 
-### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_desktop_short %}
+### Prompt files
 
-Automatically generate commit messages and descriptions with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_desktop_short %} based on the changes you make to your project.
+Build and share reusable prompt instructions with additional context. A prompt file is a Markdown file, stored in your workspace, that mimics the existing format of writing prompts. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/prompting/response-customization#about-prompt-files).
 
-### {% data variables.copilot.copilot_spaces %}
+### MCP servers
 
-Organize and centralize relevant content—like code, docs, specs, and more—into {% data variables.copilot.copilot_spaces_short %} that ground {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}’s responses in the right context for a specific task. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/copilot-spaces/about-organizing-and-sharing-context-with-copilot-spaces).
+You can configure Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for many {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} features, giving {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} access to external tools or data sources. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/context/mcp).
 
-### {% data variables.product.prodname_spark %} ({% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %})
+### Agent skills
 
-Build and deploy full-stack applications using natural-language prompts that seamlessly integrate with the {% data variables.product.github %} platform for advanced development. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/spark/build-apps-with-spark).
+Create folders of instructions, scripts, and resources that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can load when relevant to improve its performance in specialized tasks. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/about-agent-skills).
+
+### Custom agents
+
+Create specialized versions of {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} with access to specific tools, instructions, and MCP servers. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/agents/cloud-agent/about-custom-agents).
 
-## {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} features for administrators
+## Features for administrators
 
 The following features are available to organization and enterprise owners with a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_business_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %} plan.
 
@@ -93,7 +119,7 @@ Review {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} usage data within you
 
 Review audit logs for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in your organization to understand what actions have been taken and by which users. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-github-copilot-in-your-organization/reviewing-activity-related-to-github-copilot-in-your-organization/reviewing-audit-logs-for-copilot-business).
 
-### Exclude files
+### File exclusions
 
 Configure {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to ignore certain files. This can be useful if you have files that you don't want to be available to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-github-copilot-in-your-organization/setting-policies-for-copilot-in-your-organization/excluding-content-from-github-copilot).
 
