Install GitHub Copilot modernization

GitHub Copilot modernization works across multiple development environments. Choose your preferred environment to install and set up GitHub Copilot modernization.

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have:

• Windows operating system.
• Visual Studio 2026 (or Visual Studio 2022 version 17.14.17+).
• .NET desktop development workload with these optional components enabled: GitHub Copilot, GitHub Copilot modernization.
• GitHub Copilot subscription (paid or free).
• Sign in to Visual Studio with a GitHub account that has Copilot access.
• Code written in C# or Visual Basic.

Install

Visual Studio includes GitHub Copilot modernization, so you don't need to install it separately. Enable the GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot modernization optional components in the .NET desktop development workload through the Visual Studio Installer.

Verify the installation

1. Open a solution in Visual Studio.
2. Right-click a project in Solution Explorer and select Modernize, or open GitHub Copilot Chat and type @Modernize.

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have:

• Visual Studio Code.
• GitHub Copilot extension installed.
• GitHub Copilot subscription (paid or free).

Install

1. In Visual Studio Code, open the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X).
2. Search for GitHub Copilot modernization.
3. Select Install.

The extension automatically acquires the .NET SDK if it's missing, registers tools, and adds the agent to Copilot Chat as modernize-dotnet.

Verify the installation

1. Open a project in Visual Studio Code.
2. Open GitHub Copilot Chat and type @modernize-dotnet.

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have:

• GitHub Copilot CLI installed.
• GitHub Copilot subscription (paid or free).

Install

To install:

1. Open the GitHub Copilot chat window.

2. Add the marketplace plugin:

   /plugin marketplace add dotnet/modernize-dotnet
   

3. Install the plugin:

   /plugin install modernize-dotnet@modernize-dotnet-plugins
   

Verify the installation

Run /agent to confirm that modernize-dotnet appears in the agent list.

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have:

• GitHub Copilot Enterprise or Business subscription with coding agents enabled.
• Repository admin access.

Install

Add the custom coding agent to your repository:

1. Review adding custom coding agents to your repository.
2. Add the modernize-dotnet agent. See the coding agent README for details.

Verify the installation

Confirm that the modernize-dotnet agent appears as an available coding agent in your repository.

Related content

• What is GitHub Copilot modernization?
• Upgrade a .NET app with GitHub Copilot modernization
• Core concepts
• GitHub Copilot modernization FAQ