GitHub Copilot Agent Tasks REST API Now Available in Public Preview
Key Takeaways
- ▸Copilot Agent Tasks REST API is now available in public preview for Pro, Pro+, and Max users
- ▸Enables programmatic automation of code tasks including refactors, migrations, repository setup, and release preparation
- ▸API supports progress tracking and multiple authentication methods (personal access tokens and OAuth)
Summary
GitHub has released the Copilot Agent Tasks REST API in public preview, enabling Copilot Pro, Pro+, and Max users to programmatically start and track cloud agent tasks. The API allows developers to integrate Copilot's autonomous agent capabilities—which can make code changes, validate them, and open pull requests—into custom automation workflows without manual intervention.
The API supports multiple high-impact use cases that can significantly improve developer productivity. Examples include fanning out refactors and migrations across multiple repositories from a simple script, automating new repository setup through a company's internal developer portal, and automatically preparing weekly releases with generated release notes. The cloud agent operates in its own isolated development environment, ensuring safe experimentation and validation before changes are merged.
Authentication is flexible, supporting both personal access tokens (classic and fine-grained) and OAuth tokens. The public preview release makes this powerful capability accessible to a broad user base, allowing teams to experiment with AI-driven automation in their development workflows.
- Cloud agent operates safely in isolated environments, validating changes before opening pull requests
