GitHub has released a technical preview of a new Copilot SDK, giving developers access to the same agent system that powers GitHub Copilot’s command-line tools.
The SDK is based on the execution loop used by Copilot CLI. That loop already handles practical tasks such as planning steps, editing files, calling tools, and running commands. GitHub says many developers try to build similar systems, but end up spending weeks just setting up the basics.
Mario Rodriguez, GitHub’s chief product officer, said agent workflows are difficult to put together because teams often have to create their own internal platforms before they can work on real features. The SDK is meant to remove that early work by offering a system GitHub already uses in production.
How Developers Can Use the Copilot SDK
With the SDK, developers can control Copilot through code rather than the terminal. They can start sessions, choose models, define tools, connect MCP servers, and stream results while tasks are running. GitHub also handles authentication and access management through its existing systems.
The preview supports Node.js, Python, Go, and .NET. Developers can use their current Copilot subscription or provide an API key of their own. GitHub has shared an open repository that includes setup steps and basic examples for each language.
GitHub suggests starting small. A single task, such as updating files or running commands, is enough to begin. Copilot then decides how to break the task into steps and carry them out. In examples provided by GitHub, applications create a Copilot client, open a session with a selected model, and send prompts directly from code.
The SDK builds on recent changes to Copilot CLI, which now supports features like persistent memory, asynchronous tasks, multi-step workflows, and MCP integration. These additions allow Copilot to manage longer tasks without constant input from the user.
Rodriguez said the goal is to make Copilot usable in more places, not just inside the terminal. Under this setup, GitHub manages the infrastructure side, while developers decide how Copilot behaves inside their own applications.
GitHub said internal teams are already using the SDK for tools such as video chapter creation, text summarisation, custom agent interfaces, and speech-based command systems.
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