GitHub Copilot In Visual Studio - September Update

by StackCamp Team 51 views

Hey guys! Get ready for the lowdown on the latest GitHub Copilot update in Visual Studio! This September update is packed with game-changing features that are gonna make your coding life a whole lot easier. We're talking about smarter code reviews, powerful agents, and a whole lot more. Let's dive into the details and see what's new!

Highlights

So, what's the buzz about this September 2025 update to Visual Studio 2022 (v17.14)? Well, let me tell you, it's a game-changer! Here’s a breakdown of the exciting new features that GitHub Copilot is bringing to the table:

Profiler Agent: Your New Best Friend for Performance Optimization

If you're struggling with performance issues, the Profiler Agent is here to save the day. This is one of the key updates. This feature is designed to help you identify and fix those pesky bottlenecks that are slowing down your code. Using **@Profiler** in Copilot Chat, you can access AI-powered analysis that highlights performance bottlenecks, suggests fixes, and optimizes benchmarks in a guided loop. It's like having a performance expert right there with you, guiding you every step of the way. This means less time spent scratching your head and more time spent writing efficient, high-performing code.

With the Profiler Agent, you can:

  • Quickly Identify Bottlenecks: No more manual digging through code to find the source of performance issues. The Profiler Agent pinpoints the problem areas for you.
  • Get AI-Powered Suggestions: Receive intelligent recommendations on how to fix those bottlenecks. Copilot Chat analyzes the issues and provides actionable advice.
  • Optimize Benchmarks: Ensure your code is running at its peak performance by optimizing benchmarks with the Profiler Agent's guidance.
  • Guided Optimization Loop: The agent guides you through the entire optimization process, making it easier than ever to improve your code's performance.

This feature is especially useful for those working on complex applications where performance is critical. Whether you're developing a high-traffic web application or a resource-intensive desktop program, the Profiler Agent will be an invaluable tool in your arsenal.

.NET Modernization Agent: Keeping Your Projects Up-to-Date

Got some older .NET projects gathering dust? The .NET Modernization Agent is here to help you bring them into the future. This agent simplifies the process of upgrading your projects to the latest .NET versions and migrating them to Azure. Just right-click your project and select Modernize, or prompt @Modernize directly in Copilot Chat to get started. It's that simple!

The .NET Modernization Agent helps you:

  • Upgrade to the Latest .NET Versions: Stay current with the latest features and improvements in the .NET ecosystem.
  • Migrate to Azure: Seamlessly move your projects to the cloud for improved scalability and reliability.
  • Simplify the Modernization Process: The agent guides you through each step, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

Modernizing your .NET projects not only ensures that you're taking advantage of the latest technologies but also improves the security and performance of your applications. With the .NET Modernization Agent, the process is now easier than ever.

Agent Mode Improvements: Faster, Smoother, and More Stable

If you've been using Agent mode, you'll be thrilled to hear about the improvements. Agent mode is now faster, smoother, and more stable, thanks to monthly updates that are continually refining its performance. This means you can interact with agents more seamlessly, with quicker response times and cleaner file management. Plus, you'll have greater control over how agents operate, allowing you to tailor them to your specific needs.

The key improvements in Agent mode include:

  • Faster Response Times: Get quicker feedback and results from agents.
  • Cleaner File Management: Agents handle files more efficiently, reducing clutter and confusion.
  • Greater Control: Customize agent behavior to suit your workflows.
  • Increased Stability: Enjoy a more reliable experience with fewer interruptions.

These enhancements make Agent mode an even more powerful tool for automating tasks and streamlining your development process. Whether you're generating code, analyzing data, or managing projects, the improved Agent mode will help you get the job done more efficiently.

MCP Prompts, Resources, and Sampling: Unleash Powerful Model Interactions

For those who love to tinker and customize, the new MCP prompts, contextual resources, and agentic sampling features are a dream come true. These tools allow you to leverage more powerful and customizable model interactions, giving you greater control over how Copilot generates code and provides suggestions. You can now fine-tune the model's behavior to match your coding style and project requirements.

With MCP prompts, resources, and sampling, you can:

  • Create Custom Prompts: Tailor prompts to guide the model's output more precisely.
  • Use Contextual Resources: Provide additional information to the model to improve its understanding of your project.
  • Experiment with Agentic Sampling: Explore different approaches to code generation and find the best solutions for your needs.

These advanced features are perfect for developers who want to push the boundaries of what Copilot can do and create truly unique applications.

Mermaid Diagrams: Visualize Your Data Structures and Workflows

Visualizing complex systems is crucial for understanding and communicating ideas. That's why the September update includes support for Mermaid diagrams. Now, you can generate Mermaid diagrams with Copilot and click Preview to see the rendered diagrams directly in your Markdown editor. This makes it incredibly easy to visualize data structures, workflows, and other complex systems.

Mermaid diagrams help you:

  • Visualize Data Structures: Create clear and concise diagrams to represent your data models.
  • Illustrate Workflows: Map out processes and workflows to better understand how systems operate.
  • Communicate Ideas: Share visual representations of your concepts with colleagues and stakeholders.

This feature is a game-changer for anyone who needs to explain complex systems or collaborate on projects with others. By integrating Mermaid diagrams into your workflow, you can improve communication and understanding across your team.

Smarter Code Reviews: More Insightful Feedback and Custom Instructions

Code reviews are a critical part of the development process, and the September update brings significant improvements to this area. Smarter code reviews are now available, offering advanced reasoning, more insightful comments, and support for custom instructions. This means you'll get more valuable feedback on your code, helping you to identify and fix issues more effectively.

Smarter code reviews provide:

  • Advanced Reasoning: Copilot uses advanced reasoning to understand the context of your code and provide more relevant feedback.
  • Insightful Comments: Get detailed explanations and suggestions for improvement.
  • Support for Custom Instructions: Tailor code reviews to your specific needs and preferences.

With these enhancements, code reviews become a more effective tool for improving code quality and ensuring that your projects are built on a solid foundation.

To experience all the new Copilot features, download Visual Studio today! And if you want to dive deeper, check out the Visual Studio blog and release notes for all the details.

What’s Next for Copilot in Visual Studio?

Want to stay in the loop on the latest Copilot features? The best way to do that is by following the Visual Studio blog. You’ll find roadmap updates and even opportunities to share your feedback. Microsoft is always working to make Copilot even better, so your input is super valuable.

And for all the latest news, release notes, videos, and community conversations, make sure to visit the Visual Studio Hub. It’s your one-stop shop for everything Visual Studio!

So, there you have it! The September update for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio is packed with exciting new features that are sure to boost your productivity and make coding more enjoyable. Whether you’re working on performance optimization, modernizing .NET projects, or just trying to write cleaner code, Copilot has got your back.

The post GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio — September update appeared first on The GitHub Blog.