Install GitHub Copilot modernization

GitHub Copilot modernization is available across multiple development environments. Choose your preferred environment to get started with installation and setup.

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have the following:

• 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#.

Install

GitHub Copilot modernization is included in Visual Studio and doesn't require a separate installation. 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 the following:

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

Install

Install the GitHub Copilot modernization extension from the VS Code Marketplace.

Verify the installation

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

Prerequisites

Before you install, make sure you have the following:

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

Install

Complete these three steps 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 the following:

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

Install

Add the custom coding agent to your repository:

1. Learn about adding custom coding agents to your repo.
2. Add the modernize-dotnet agent. See the coding agent README for details.

Verify the installation

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
• GitHub Copilot modernization FAQ