C++ code editing tools for GitHub Copilot in public preview

Source: GitHub Changelog

Overview

C++ code editing tools for GitHub Copilot are now in public preview in the latest Visual Studio 2026 Insiders release. These tools extend Copilot’s ability to understand and modify C++ code at scale by providing deep symbol awareness for reliable multi‑file editing support.

The C++ code editing tools provide rich semantic data for any symbol in your project, enabling Copilot agent mode to:

• View all references across a codebase.
• Understand symbol type, declaration, scope, and other metadata.
• Visualize class inheritance hierarchies.
• Trace function call chains.

How to get started

1. Open your C++ project in Visual Studio 2026 Insiders.
2. Go to Tools → Options, GitHub → Copilot and enable the C++ code editing tools.
   • You may need to close and reopen your solution after enabling.
3. Open Copilot Chat and use the Tools icon to enable the specific C++ tools.

GitHub Copilot can then call upon these tools to provide more accurate and context‑aware code suggestions, making your coding experience smoother and more efficient. For example, the tools can help you update all instances of a function when adding new functionality or changing parameters.

For best results, use a model optimized for tool calling and provide clear, specific prompts with explicit symbols when possible.

Tell us your feedback

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