Document Copilot coding agent integration's into VS Code with the GitHub Pull Requests extension (#56590)

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Nhu Do <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Anne-Marie <[email protected]>

Author: 4 people

content/copilot/concepts/about-copilot-coding-agent.md

@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ With {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}, {% data variables.produc
 * Update documentation
 * Address technical debt
 
-To delegate development tasks to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, you can:
+To delegate tasks to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, you can:
 
 * Assign an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/using-copilot-to-work-on-an-issue).
-* Use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} to ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request).
+* Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from the Agents page on {% data variables.product.github %}, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} or your favorite IDE or agentic coding tool with MCP support. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request).
 
 {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will evaluate the task it has been assigned based on the prompt you give it—whether that's from the issue description or a chat message. Then {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will make the required changes and open a pull request. When {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} finishes, it will request a review from you, and you can leave pull request comments to ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to iterate.
 

content/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Asking Copilot to create a pull request
-shortTitle: Create a PR from chat
-intro: 'You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from the Agents page or from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}.'
+shortTitle: Create a PR
+intro: 'You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from the Agents page, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, or agentic coding tools and IDEs with Model Context Protocol (MCP) support.'
 product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-coding-agent %}<br><a href="https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=Copilot+plans+signup&ref_loc=asking+copilot+to+create+a+pull+request&ref_page=docs" 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
@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ redirect_from:
 
 ## Introduction
 
-You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work on a task from the Agents page on {% data variables.product.github %}, or from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, JetBrains IDEs and {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.
+You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work on a task from:
+
+* The Agents page on {% data variables.product.github %}
+* {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, JetBrains IDEs and {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}
+* Your preferred IDE or agentic coding tool with Model Context Protocol (MCP) support
 
 {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start working on the task, raise a pull request, then request a review from you when it's finished working. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/about-assigning-tasks-to-copilot).
 
@@ -41,18 +45,31 @@ You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work on a tas
 
     {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start a new session, which will appear in the list below the prompt box. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will work on the task and push changes to its pull request, then add you as a reviewer when it has finished, triggering a notification.
 
-## Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}
+## Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> * You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, JetBrains IDEs, and on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.
+1. Install the [GitHub Pull Requests extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.vscode-pull-request-github) for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
+1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
+1. Type a prompt explaining what you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to do, and add `#copilotCodingAgent` to the prompt.
 
-1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %}, in your IDE or on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.
-1. Type a prompt asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request, and giving details of what you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to change.
+   For example, `Put backticks around file names and variables in output #copilotCodingAgent`
 
-   For example, `@github Create a PR to put backticks around file names and variables in output.`
+   > [!TIP]
+   > * To help {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, you can select the relevant line(s) of code before submitting your prompt.
+
+1. Submit your prompt.
 
-   > [!IMPORTANT]
-   > {% data reusables.copilot.coding-agent.use-chat-participant-in-vsc %}
+   {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will typically do some research and context-gathering in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, and then will ask you to confirm that you want to use the coding agent to create a pull request.
+
+1. Click **Continue**.
+
+   {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will push up any local changes, start a new session and respond with a link to the pull request it creates. It will work on the task and push changes to the pull request, and then add you as a reviewer when it has finished, triggering a notification.
+
+## Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in other IDEs
+
+1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} or JetBrains IDEs.
+1. Type a prompt, starting with `@github`, asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request, and giving details of what you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to change.
+
+   For example, `@github Create a PR to put backticks around file names and variables in output.`
 
    > [!TIP]
    > * To help {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, you can select the relevant line(s) of code before submitting your prompt.
@@ -66,6 +83,24 @@ You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work on a tas
 
    {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start a new session and respond with a link to the pull request it creates. It will work on the task and push changes to the pull request, and then add you as a reviewer when it has finished, triggering a notification.
 
+## Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}
+
+1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %} on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.
+1. Type a prompt asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request, and giving details of what you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to change.
+
+   For example, `Create a PR in monalisa/bookstore to put backticks around file names and variables in output.`
+
+   > [!TIP]
+   > * You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to open a pull request using a specific branch as the base branch by including it in your prompt.
+
+1. Submit your prompt.
+
+   {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} asks you to confirm that you want to use the coding agent to create a pull request.
+
+1. Click **Allow**.
+
+   {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start a new session and respond with a link to the pull request it creates. It will work on the task and push changes to the pull request, and then add you as a reviewer when it has finished, triggering a notification.
+
 ## Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to create a pull request from the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server
 
 As an alternative to using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, you can use the remote {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server to trigger {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} from any MCP host.
@@ -92,11 +127,7 @@ As an alternative to using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, you
 
 ## Monitoring progress
 
-You can view your current and past {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} sessions from the [Agents page](https://github.com/copilot/agents). See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/using-the-copilot-coding-agent-logs).
-
-You can see what {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is doing while it is working on a task by viewing the session logs. You can access the session logs by clicking the **View session** button in the timeline of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s pull request.
-
-From the session logs page, you can also stop {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} from working on a task by clicking **Stop session**.
+You can view your current and past {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} sessions from the [Agents page](https://github.com/copilot/agents) and {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/tracking-copilots-sessions).
 
 ## Further reading
 

content/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/tracking-copilots-sessions.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: Tracking Copilot's sessions
 shortTitle: Track Copilot sessions
-intro: "You can use the Agents page and session logs to track {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s progress and understand its approach."
+intro: "You can use the Agents page, {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} and session logs to track {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s progress and understand its approach."
 product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-coding-agent %}<br><a href="https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_cta=Copilot+plans+signup&ref_loc=using+the+copilot+coding+agent+logs&ref_page=docs" 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
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ After you give {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} a task, it wo
 
 The [Agents page](https://github.com/copilot/agents) provides an overview of your agent sessions across repositories. From this page, you can kick off new tasks and track {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s progress.
 
+You can also track {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s sessions in a specific repository from {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
+
 During or after an agent session, you can inspect the session logs to understand {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s approach to your problem.
 
 ## Tracking agent sessions from the Agents page
@@ -37,15 +39,27 @@ You can also reach this page by clicking the **{% octicon "copilot" aria-label="
 
 For each session listed below the prompt field, you can see its status at a glance, or click on it to navigate to the linked pull request.
 
+To view the session logs, click through to the pull request in the list, then find the "{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} started work..." event in the timeline, and then click **View session**.
+
+![Screenshot of a section of a pull request with the 'View session' button highlighted.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/log-view-session.png)
+
 You can also start new agent sessions from this page. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request).
 
-## Using the session logs to understand {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s approach
+## Tracking sessions from {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}
 
-You can dive into {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s session logs to understand how it approached your task.
+You can see a list of your running and past agent sessions for a specific repository in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} with the [GitHub Pull Requests extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.vscode-pull-request-github).
 
-To view the session logs, click **View session** in the pull request timeline.
+Once you've installed the extension, you can see {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s sessions by clicking the **{% data variables.product.github %}** button in the sidebar.
 
-![Screenshot of a section of a pull request with the 'View session' button highlighted.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/log-view-session.png)
+For each session listed, you can see its status at a glance, or click on it to navigate to the pull request within {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
+
+To view the session logs, click on the pull request in the list, then click **View Session**.
+
+You can also start new agent sessions from {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request#asking-copilot-to-create-a-pull-request-from-copilot-chat-in-visual-studio-code).
+
+## Using the session logs to understand {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s approach
+
+You can dive into {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s session logs in {% data variables.product.github %} or {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} to understand how it approached your task.
 
 In the session logs, you can see {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s internal monologue and the tools it used to understand your repository, make changes and validate its work.