--- title: Using GitHub Copilot to work on an issue shortTitle: Assign Copilot to an issue intro: "Learn how to assign issues to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, monitor progress as {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} works on the issue, and then use pull request review comments to prompt {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to iterate on its work." product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-coding-agent %}
Sign up for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} {% octicon "link-external" height:16 %}' versions: feature: copilot topics: - Copilot redirect_from: - /copilot/using-github-copilot/using-copilot-coding-agent-to-work-on-tasks/using-copilot-to-work-on-an-issue - /copilot/using-github-copilot/using-copilot-coding-agent-to-work-on-issues/using-copilot-to-work-on-an-issue - /early-access/copilot/coding-agent/using-copilot-coding-agent - /copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/using-copilot-to-work-on-an-issue - /copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/using-copilot-to-work-on-an-issue - /copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/assign-copilot-to-an-issue - /copilot/how-tos/agents/coding-agent/assign-copilot-to-an-issue contentType: how-tos --- > [!NOTE] > {% data reusables.copilot.coding-agent.preview-note-text %} > For an overview of {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/about-copilot-coding-agent). ## Introduction You can assign a {% data variables.product.github %} issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, just like you would with a human software developer. When assigning an issue, you can pick the repository where {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} should make code changes and the branch it should start from. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start working on the issue, create a draft pull request and, when it's finished working, it will request a review from you. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/concepts/about-copilot-coding-agent). If you haven't used {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to work on an issue before, you can find some useful advice for getting good results in [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/coding-agent/best-practices). ## Assigning an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to start working on an issue by assigning the issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. You can assign an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}: * On {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %} (see the [next section](#assigning-an-issue-to-copilot-on-githubcom)) * On [{% data variables.product.prodname_mobile %}](/get-started/using-github/github-mobile) * Via the {% data variables.product.github %} API (see [later in this article](#assigning-an-issue-to-copilot-via-the-github-api)) * Using {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %} (see [`gh issue edit`](https://cli.github.com/manual/gh_issue_edit)) ### Assigning an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %} You can assign an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %} in exactly the same way as you assign another user. {% data reusables.repositories.navigate-to-repo %} {% data reusables.repositories.sidebar-issues %} 1. Open the issue that you want to assign to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. 1. In the right side menu, click **Assignees**. ![Screenshot of the right sidebar of an issue. A header, labeled "Assignees", is outlined in dark orange.](/assets/images/help/issues/assignee-menu.png) 1. Click **Copilot** from assignees list. ![Screenshot of "Assignees" window on an issue. Copilot is available in the list.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/assign-to-copilot.png) Additional options are displayed. ![Screenshot of "Assign to Copilot" dialog showing options for target repository, starting branch and additional instructions.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/assign-to-copilot-dialog.png) 1. In the **Optional prompt** field you can add specific guidance for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. Add any context, constraints, or specific requirements that will help {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to understand and complete the task. For example, you might include instructions about specific coding patterns or frameworks to use, testing requirements, code style preferences, files or directories that should or shouldn't be modified. In addition to the details you supply here, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will use any custom instructions that have been configured for the target repository. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/configure-custom-instructions/add-repository-instructions). 1. You can use the dropdown menus in the dialog to change the repository that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will work in and the branch that it will branch off from. > [!NOTE] > If you don't specify a repository, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will work in the same repository as the issue. If you don't specify a branch, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will work from the default branch of the selected repository. > [!TIP] > When you assign an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, it gets sent the issue title, description, any comments that currently exist, and any additional instructions you provide. After assigning the issue, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will not be aware of, and therefore won't react to, any further comments that are added to the issue. If you have more information, or changes to the original requirement, add this as a comment in the pull request that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} raises. You can also assign issues to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} from other places on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}: * From the list of issues on a repository's **{% octicon "issue-opened" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="issue-opened" %} Issues** page. * When viewing an issue in {% data variables.product.github %} {% data variables.projects.projects_v2_caps %}. ### Assigning an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} via the {% data variables.product.github %} API You can assign issues to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} using the GraphQL API. #### Creating and assigning a new issue 1. Make sure you're authenticating with the API using a user token, for example a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} or a {% data variables.product.prodname_github_app %} user-to-server token. 1. Verify that {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} is enabled in the repository by checking if the repository's `suggestedActors` in the GraphQL API includes {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. Replace `octo-org` with the repository owner, and `octo-repo` with the repository name. ```graphql copy query { repository(owner: "octo-org", name: "octo-repo") { suggestedActors(capabilities: [CAN_BE_ASSIGNED], first: 100) { nodes { login __typename ... on Bot { id } ... on User { id } } } } } ``` If {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} is enabled for the user and in the repository, the first node returned from the query will have the `login` value `copilot-swe-agent`. 1. Make a note of the `id` value of this login. 1. Fetch the GraphQL global ID of the repository you want to create the issue in, replacing `octo-org` with the repository owner, and `octo-repo` with the repository name. ```graphql copy query { repository(owner: "octo-org", name: "octo-repo") { id } } ``` 1. Create the issue with the `createIssue` mutation. Replace `REPOSITORY_ID` with the ID returned from the previous step, and `BOT_ID` with the ID returned from the step before that. ```graphql copy mutation { createIssue(input: {repositoryId: "REPOSITORY_ID", title: "Implement comprehensive unit tests", body: "DETAILS", assigneeIds: ["BOT_ID"]}) { issue { id title assignees(first: 10) { nodes { login } } } } } ``` #### Assigning an existing issue 1. Make sure you're authenticating with the API using a user token, for example a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} or a {% data variables.product.prodname_github_app %} user-to-server token. 1. Verify that {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} is enabled in the repository by checking if the repository's `suggestedActors` in the GraphQL API includes {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. Replace `octo-org` with the repository owner, and `octo-repo` with the repository name. ```graphql copy query { repository(owner: "monalisa", name: "octocat") { suggestedActors(capabilities: [CAN_BE_ASSIGNED], first: 100) { nodes { login __typename ... on Bot { id } ... on User { id } } } } } ``` If {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} is enabled for the user and in the repository, the first node returned from the query will have the `login` value `copilot-swe-agent`. 1. Fetch the GraphQL global ID of the issue you want to assign to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, replacing `monalisa` with the repository owner, `octocat` with the name and `9000` with the issue number. ```graphql copy query { repository(owner: "monalisa", name: "octocat") { issue(number: 9000) { id title } } } ``` 1. Assign the existing issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} using the `replaceActorsForAssignable` mutation. Replace `ISSUE_ID` with the ID returned from the previous step, and `BOT_ID` with the ID returned from the step before that. ```graphql copy mutation { replaceActorsForAssignable(input: {assignableId: "ISSUE_ID", actorIds: ["BOT_ID"]}) { assignable { ... on Issue { id title assignees(first: 10) { nodes { login } } } } } } ``` ## Tracking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s progress on your issue Shortly after you assign an issue to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will leave an 👀 reaction on the issue. ![Screenshot of an issue assigned to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} has left an eyes icon reaction.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/issue-assigned-to-copilot.png) A few seconds later, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will open a draft pull request, linked to your original issue. An event will appear in the issue's timeline, linking to the pull request. ![Screenshot of an issue with a timeline event showing that a linked pull request has been opened.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/issue-link-to-pr.png) {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will start an **agent session** to work on your issue. A "{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} started work" event will appear in the pull request timeline, and as {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} works, it will update the pull request body with regular status updates, and push commits to the branch. All of your sessions, past and present, can be seen and tracked from the [Agents page](https://github.com/copilot/agents). See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/agents/copilot-coding-agent/tracking-copilots-sessions). ![Screenshot of a pull request with a series of timeline events, including "Copilot started work."](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/copilot-started-work.png) If you want to check what {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is doing, click **View session**. The session log viewer is displayed, showing you a live log as {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} works on the issue. If you want to stop {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} from working on the issue, click **Stop session**. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/using-the-copilot-coding-agent-logs). Once {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} has finished, the agent session will end, and {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will request a review from you, triggering a notification. In addition, a "{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} finished work" event will appear in the pull request timeline. ![Screenshot of a pull request timeline with "Copilot requested review" and "Copilot finished work" events.](/assets/images/help/copilot/coding-agent/copilot-finished-work.png) ## Working with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} on a pull request After {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} has finished working on the issue, you should review the pull request thoroughly and mention `@copilot` in a comment if anything needs to be changed. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/reviewing-a-pull-request-created-by-copilot). ## Further reading * [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/coding-agent/best-practices) * [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/coding-agent/troubleshooting-copilot-coding-agent)