title	About the GitHub Copilot app
shortTitle	GitHub Copilot app
intro	The {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} is a desktop application for agent-driven development that brings parallel workstreams, {% data variables.product.github %} integration, and PR lifecycle management into one place.
product	{% data reusables.gated-features.github-app %}<br><a href="https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_product=copilot&ref_type=purchase&ref_style=button&utm_source=docs-about-app-signup&utm_medium=docs&utm_campaign=github-copilot-app-ga-2026" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary mt-3 mr-3 no-underline"><span>Sign up for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}</span> {% octicon "link-external" height:16 %}</a>
versions	feature copilot
contentType	concepts
redirect_from	/copilot/concepts/agents/github-app
category	Learn about Copilot

Install the app from the download page for {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %}.

Introduction

The {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} is a desktop application purpose-built for agent-driven development. It gives you a single place to direct AI agents across parallel workstreams, work with {% data variables.product.github %} issues and pull requests, and manage the full development lifecycle—without context-switching between terminals, IDEs, and browser tabs.

The app is built on {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %} and integrates natively with {% data variables.product.github %}, so your repositories, branches, and CI pipelines work out of the box. It's designed for workflows where you want to run multiple agents in parallel and stay focused on directing work rather than doing it all yourself.

Availability

{% data reusables.gated-features.github-app %} {% data variables.copilot.copilot_business_short %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %} users must have the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} policy enabled by an administrator.

Supported operating systems

The {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} supports the following operating systems:

• macOS
• Linux
• Windows

Benefits of using the {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %}

• Work in parallel. Run multiple agent sessions at the same time, each on its own branch, so you can make progress on several tasks without waiting for one to finish.
• Stay in one place. Triage issues, direct agents, review changes, and land pull requests without switching between your terminal, IDE, and browser.
• Start fast. The app connects to {% data variables.product.github %} natively—your repositories, branches, issues and pull requests work out of the box with no additional setup.
• Stay in control. Choose how much autonomy to give agents, from fully collaborative to fully autonomous, and adjust the model and reasoning effort for each session.
• Collaborate on a shared surface. Use canvases to create custom interfaces where people and agents can collaborate.

What can I do with the {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %}?

• Parallel workspaces: Run multiple isolated agent sessions simultaneously, each with a dedicated git worktree and branch. You can also run sessions in cloud sandboxes (public preview) hosted by {% data variables.product.github %}. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.
• Session modes: Choose how you work with agents: Interactive (collaborative), Plan (agent plans, you approve), or Autopilot (fully autonomous). You can also select from multiple LLMs and adjust reasoning effort for each session.
• Model selection: Select from multiple LLMs, including models from your own provider using bring your own key (BYOK), and adjust reasoning effort for each session.
• {% data variables.product.github %} integration: Browse and find issues, start sessions from them, create and close pull requests, review pull requests, view CI check results, and search across your repositories—all within the app.
• Customizations: Configure and use global instructions, MCP servers, and agent skills.
• Automations: Save recurring agent tasks and run them on a schedule or on demand.
• Quick chats: Brainstorm in a conversation mode without creating a dedicated branch or workspace.
• Session history: Use /chronicle to get insights from previous sessions, including work you started in the app.
• Canvases: Open custom, agent-driven artifacts and interfaces where people and agents can collaborate.

{% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} workflow

A typical workflow in the {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} looks like this:

1. Browse issues in a repository and pick one up, or start from a blank workspace.
2. Choose a session mode—Interactive, Plan, or Autopilot—and select a model.
3. Describe the task and let the agent create a branch, write code, and run tests.
4. Review the agent's changes, provide feedback, and iterate.
5. Create a pull request, leave a review, check whether CI passed, and merge the PR—all from within the app.

You can run several of these workflows in parallel, each in its own workspace, and switch between them as needed.

Optimizing AI usage in the {% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %}

Follow these practices to use {% data variables.product.prodname_ai_credits_short %} more efficiently in the app:

• Match model capability to task complexity. Use lighter models for straightforward changes and higher-capability models for complex debugging, design decisions, and multi-step tasks.
• Choose the right session mode for the stage of work. Use Plan mode to validate scope and approach, use Interactive mode when you want tighter steering, and move to Autopilot when the task is well-defined.
• Use quick chats to scope before opening a full session. For early exploration, use Quick chats to clarify requirements and reduce rework before creating a dedicated session.
• Start a new session when you switch tasks. A new session keeps context focused and avoids carrying irrelevant history into unrelated work.
• Use usage insights regularly. Run /chronicle cost tips to find expensive patterns in your session usage and improve efficiency over time.

For more detailed optimization tips, see AUTOTITLE.

Providing feedback

To share feedback, click the Give feedback icon in the bottom-left corner of the app.

Public code

{% data variables.copilot.github_copilot_app %} may generate code that is a match or near match of publicly available code, even if the "Suggestions matching public code" policy is set to "Block." See AUTOTITLE.

Further reading

• AUTOTITLE