GitHub's Copilot app introduces canvases, customizable interfaces that adapt to how teams actually work rather than forcing work into fixed tool layouts. A canvas—also called a canvas extension—can take the form of a kanban board, issue triage board, release checklist, dashboard, form, or spreadsheet, shaped entirely around the user's workflow.

The bidirectional nature of canvases means the agent can modify the interface as it operates, while users can interact through buttons, cards, filters, and other controls to make their own changes. This mirrors the experience of collaborating on a live shared whiteboard.

Generating a canvas without code

Creating a canvas requires no coding or design work. Users open an agent session, enter the /create-canvas skill, and describe their needs in plain language. The prompt should address three elements: the workflow the canvas must support, what actions the user should be able to perform in the interface, and what capabilities the agent should have.

An example command might look like this:

/create-canvas Create a release notes canvas for tracking new feature work completed across GitHub Copilot app sessions. Include controls for reviewing and organizing entries and allow the agent to add and update them.

The agent then constructs the interface and displays it in the right-side panel, with no need for manual file creation or layout configuration. A single description transforms into a functional custom tool.

Iterating until the workflow fits

Since the interface emerges from the user's description, the initial version serves as a foundation for ongoing refinement. Users can request that the agent add columns or filters, incorporate open pull requests, or convert the canvas into a daily checklist. The agent adjusts the canvas to match each request. While no fixed menu of layouts exists, any describable workflow can likely become a canvas.

Once saved, a canvas persists as an extension for reuse. Teams can keep it with their project for shared access, or save it as a personal extension for individual use.

Real-time collaboration without delays

Canvases unlock simultaneous work between user and agent. When a user clicks a button, edits a field, or drags a card, the canvas's shared state updates instantly. The agent observes the same change without requiring a separate send or sync action.

The reverse also applies. Users can instruct the agent to leverage the canvas's built-in capabilities—the same actions available to the user—to add a release note or move a card, then see that change appear in the interface immediately. Rather than issuing a command and waiting for a response, both parties steer the work together.

Getting started with canvases

Building a useful canvas begins with three core questions:

  • What information do I want to see?
  • What do I want to change directly?
  • What should the agent be able to update or do?

For those unsure where to start, the community has published ready-made canvas extensions via Awesome Copilot, featuring release notes tools, kanban boards, issue triage workflows, and additional options. Users can install an extension that approximates their needs, then ask the agent to tailor it to their specific workflow using the same refinement process as a newly created canvas.

The recommended approach is to start simple: launch a session, run /create-canvas, and describe a basic board or checklist for current work.