Visual Studio Code transitioned to weekly stable releases, with this update covering versions v1.116 through v1.119 deployed during April and early May 2026.

The latest Copilot enhancements enable semantic search functionality across any workspace and allow agents to execute grep-style queries spanning GitHub repositories and organizations. An experimental /chronicle feature provides the ability to search through personal chat history, helping developers recall previous work, files modified, and pull requests discussed. Token consumption has been optimized through improved prompt caching, lazy tool initialization, and specialized agentic tools that maintain existing agent capabilities.

Agents now display inline diffs within chat conversations, support browser tab sharing for context, and can read and write to any active terminal. Bring-your-own-key functionality has expanded to Copilot Business and Enterprise tiers, allowing teams to integrate their preferred model providers directly into VS Code. New group policies give administrators control over which domains agents are permitted to access.

Extended Copilot CLI sessions can be monitored and controlled remotely via GitHub.com or the mobile application. Agent debug logs now persist between sessions, and background terminal operations generate chat notifications to keep users informed.

Smarter context

  • Search across any codebase: Semantic indexing is now available in all workspaces. Agents can perform grep-style searches across GitHub repositories and organizations using the new githubTextSearch tool.
  • Query history with /chronicle (Experimental): Chronicle maintains a local database of chat interactions, enabling searches of previous sessions, recollection of recent activities, and delivery of personalized workflow recommendations. Enable via: ⚙️ github.copilot.chat.localIndex.enabled
  • Lower token usage: Improved prompt caching, deferred tool loading, and purpose-built agentic tools decrease token consumption on each request.

Agent experience

  • Review diffs in chat: Code modifications display as diffs directly within the chat interface.
  • Generate agent customizations: Create custom agents, skills, and instructions by describing them in natural language.
  • Bring your own model key: Copilot Business and Enterprise subscribers can attach their own API keys (OpenRouter, Microsoft Foundry, Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, and others) to leverage those models in VS Code chat. Local model execution is supported through Ollama, Foundry Local, and similar platforms. Administrators manage access through the Bring Your Own Language Model Key policy on GitHub.com. BYOK is available for Copilot Free, Pro, and Pro users.
  • Agents can access any open terminal: Agents can read from and write to active foreground terminals, including running REPLs and interactive scripts.
  • Integrated browser: Share browser tabs on demand to give agents visibility into live web content. Agents can read pages, interact with them, and validate changes in real time.

Chat continuity

  • Continue Copilot CLI sessions across devices: This experimental capability requires enabling ⚙️ github.copilot.chat.cli.remote.enabled in Settings. Once activated, use /remote on to monitor and direct ongoing Copilot CLI sessions initiated in VS Code from GitHub.com or the mobile app.
  • Debug past agent sessions: The Agent Debug Log panel now stores logs locally, allowing review of earlier execution history.
  • Track background commands: Long-running terminal operations notify users of progress through system notifications in chat.

Also new

  • UX improvements to enhance efficiency with agent sessions: Incremental chat rendering, sortable agent sessions, and synchronized session titles for Copilot CLI.
  • New Markdown preview experience: Switch between Markdown source and preview using new toolbar buttons and commands.