The facts, with their sources

What it does

Writes code: YesThe agent writes new code from a plain-language prompt, including scaffolding a whole application from scratch in a new project directory.Ask Copilot to create an application from scratch—for example, as a proof of concept.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
Debugs and fixes: YesGitHub documents debugging as a core use: you can ask it why a change it made is failing and tell it to fix the problem.You can use it to answer questions, write and debug code, and interact with GitHub.com.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
Reviews code: YesIt can be pointed at an existing pull request and report problems in that diff, answering in the terminal rather than as a PR review.Ask Copilot to check the code changes in a pull request.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
Whole-codebase work: YesGitHub positions it for legacy codebase navigation and multi-step implementations, with auto-compaction so long sessions survive the token limit.Copilot CLI excels at legacy codebase navigation, new repository creation, cross-platform development setup, and multi-step implementationsgithub.com/features/copilot/cli
Ships it: YesIt goes past the diff: it commits locally, opens pull requests on GitHub.com on your behalf, and can merge or close them.Copilot creates a pull request on GitHub.com, on your behalf. You are marked as the pull request author.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…

How much it does unattended

Runs autonomously: PartlyBy default every file change and command needs your approval; autopilot mode and the blanket allow flag remove that, so unattended running is opt-in.Every file change and command execution requires your explicit approval before being applied.github.com/features/copilot/cli
Multi-agent: YesThe /fleet command runs one task across several subagents in parallel, optionally on different models, and converges the results.Copilot CLI supports subagents and multi‑agent workflows. With /fleet, you can run the same task across multiple subagents in parallelgithub.com/features/copilot/cli
Agent permissions: YesPermissions are per tool and configurable: approve once, approve for the session, or pass allow and deny flags, with deny taking precedence.There are three command-line options that you can use, in either interactive or programmatic sessions, to determine tools that Copilot can use…docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…

Which models it runs on

Claude: YesClaude is the default model in the CLI and further Claude versions are selectable with the /model command.By default, copilot utilizes Claude Sonnet 4.5. Run the /model slash command to choose from other available modelsgithub.com/github/copilot-cli
GPT: YesOpenAI GPT models are offered alongside Claude in the model picker, and GitHub names OpenAI as one of its providers.Run the /model slash command to choose from other available models, including Claude Sonnet 4 and GPT-5.github.com/github/copilot-cli
Gemini: YesGoogle is named as one of the foundation model providers behind the CLI, and Gemini models appear in the per-plan model table.Copilot CLI supports models from multiple foundation model providers, such as Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI.github.com/features/copilot/cli
Model choice: YesYou pick the model yourself per task with /model, and can run several models on one task through /fleet.Use /model to switch, then /fleet to execute in parallel or run multiple models at once.github.com/features/copilot/cli

Where you use it

In your editor: YesBesides any terminal, it runs inside the VS Code integrated terminal and the VS Code chat panel; other editors just see the files it changes.Yes, you can interact with Copilot CLI in the VS Code integrated terminal and in the VS Code chat panel.github.com/features/copilot/cli
On the command line: YesThe terminal is the product: an interactive session on macOS, Linux and Windows PowerShell or WSL, installed via npm, Homebrew or WinGet.The command-line interface (CLI) for GitHub Copilot allows you to use Copilot directly from your terminal.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
In your pipeline: YesProgrammatic mode takes a single prompt and exits, so it can be scripted, and it acts on pull requests directly including merging and closing them.You can also pass the CLI a single prompt directly on the command line. The CLI completes the task and then exits.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
In a browser: NoThe CLI itself has only the two terminal interfaces; the hosted web experience is a separate Copilot surface, not this product.GitHub Copilot CLI has two user interfaces: interactive and programmatic.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…

Whose machine it runs on

Self-hosted: NoThe agent is a client for GitHub's hosted service and GitHub states Copilot is not available on its self-managed server product.Copilot is not currently available for GitHub Enterprise Server.docs.github.com/en/copilot/get-started/…

What it costs to run

How it meters: YesBilling is per GitHub AI Credit on top of the seat price, at one cent a credit, with consumption varying by model and task length.GitHub AI Credits are how you pay for AI usage in GitHub Copilot. Every plan includes a monthly allowance: 1 AI credit = $0.01 USD.github.com/features/copilot/plans
Free tier: YesThe free Copilot plan includes the CLI with an allowance of AI credits, so you can install and run it without talking to anyone.Copilot CLI is included as a core feature of all GitHub Copilot plans (Free, Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise).github.com/features/copilot/cli
API access: YesProgrammatic mode drives the agent from your own scripts with a single prompt argument, and it can authenticate with a fine-grained personal access token.To use the CLI programmatically, include the -p or --prompt command-line option in your command.docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/cop…
MCP server: YesIt ships with GitHub's MCP server enabled and connects to custom MCP servers, so it acts as an MCP client rather than a server other agents call.the coding agent ships with GitHub's MCP server by default and supports custom MCP servers to extend capabilitiesgithub.com/github/copilot-cli

Buying it for a team

A company can buy it: YesOrganisations buy Copilot Business or Enterprise seats and the CLI is included; an admin must switch it on for the organisation.Copilot CLI works with your existing Copilot Business or Enterprise subscription — no additional billing or setup required.github.com/features/copilot/cli
Seat model: YesTeam plans are priced per granted seat per month, 19 dollars on Business and 39 on Enterprise; no seat floor or ceiling is published.Copilot Business | $19 USD per granted seat per monthdocs.github.com/en/copilot/get-started/…
Pooled budget: PartlyCredits are pooled across the organisation only on the team plans; the comparison table marks pooled usage not included on every individual plan.Pooled usage. Included AI credits are shared org-wide with admin controls for spending.github.com/features/copilot/plans
Admin controls: YesThe CLI inherits organisation Copilot policies, respects content exclusion rules, and an admin can disable it entirely for the organisation.The CLI automatically inherits your organization's Copilot policies and governance settings.github.com/features/copilot/cli
Single sign-on: PartlyThe plan comparison marks SAML SSO authentication as not included on Free, Pro, Pro+ and Max, so it is a team-plan concern rather than an individual one.SAML SSO authentication. Free plan: Not included. Pro plan: Not included. Pro+ plan: Not included. Max plan: Not includedgithub.com/features/copilot/plans

What happens to your code

Opt out of training: YesIndividual subscribers can turn off model training on their prompts and suggestions in settings; business and enterprise data is covered by the DPA instead.Individual subscribers can opt out of having their data used for AI model training at any time through https://github.com/settings/copilot/featuresgithub.com/features/copilot/plans
Certifications: YesGitHub states Copilot supports GDPR compliance through a data protection agreement; SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certificates are not named on the pages read.Yes. GitHub and customers can enter a Data Protection Agreement that supports compliance with the GDPR and similar legislation.github.com/features/copilot/plans

Plans and pricing

Price and terms

Free plan: YesYes
The terms in full
Copilot Free costs $0 and includes the CLI with an allowance of GitHub AI Credits, auto model selection only, limited agent usage and 2,000 completions per month; pooled usage and purchasing extra credits are not available.