Introduction
There are three ways to use GitHub Copilot in JetBrains IDEs: the GitHub Copilot plugin, GitHub Copilot as an agent in JetBrains AI Assistant, and GitHub Copilot 命令行界面 (CLI) in the integrated terminal. Each entry point provides a different set of capabilities depending on how you prefer to work.
Comparing entry points
| GitHub Copilot plugin | GitHub Copilot in AI Assistant | Copilot 命令行界面（CLI） | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Comprehensive AI coding workflow | Quick Copilot access without a separate plugin | Terminal-first workflows |
| Entry point | Chat panel, inline chat, code suggestions, code review, commit message | Default agent picker, ACP Registry | Terminal or shell |
| Code completion | Yes | Not included | Not included |
| Next edit suggestions | Yes | Coming soon | Not included |
| Agentic experience | Multiple agent harnesses | Copilot as agent via ACP, Default agent picker | Copilot 命令行界面（CLI） |
| IDE tools | Yes | Yes | Not included |
| Model selection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inline chat | Yes | Not included | Not included |
| Code review | Yes | Not included | Not included |
| Commit message generation | Yes | Not included | Not included |
| Subscription | GitHub Copilot | GitHub Copilot | GitHub Copilot |
GitHub Copilot plugin
The GitHub Copilot plugin for JetBrains IDEs is the most comprehensive way to use Copilot and is the recommended choice.
The plugin is transitioning from its local agent harness to Copilot 命令行界面（CLI） as the default agent harness, which brings faster feature parity and higher-quality results. For more information, see Copilot 命令行界面（CLI） is becoming the default agent harness in GitHub Copilot for JetBrains. For installation instructions, see 在环境中安装 GitHub Copilot 扩展.
- Code completion and next edit suggestions: Copilot suggests completions as you type and proactively predicts your next intended edit.
- Multiple agent harnesses: The plugin ships its own agent experience and partners with other agent providers, giving you multiple interaction modes.
- Full model and feature support: All 副驾驶聊天 models, code completion modes, and bring-your-own-key features are available as they are released.
- Inline chat: Explain, refactor, document, or generate code directly in the editor gutter, without switching to a separate panel.
- Code review: Copilot analyzes your changes and surfaces actionable feedback, flagging potential bugs, style violations, and logic issues.
- Commit message generation: Copilot inspects your staged changes and generates a clear, conventional commit message.
GitHub Copilot in JetBrains AI Assistant
注意
GitHub Copilot in AI Assistant provides chat and agent capabilities only. It does not include code completion, next edit suggestions, inline chat, code review, or commit message generation.
GitHub Copilot is available as a native agent in JetBrains AI Assistant through the Agent Client Protocol (ACP). The ACP is an open standard for connecting AI agents to the IDE. If you have a valid Copilot subscription, Copilot appears in the AI Assistant agent picker automatically.
This integration is designed for developers who prefer to work inside the AI Assistant chat panel or who want Copilot available without installing an additional plugin.
- No updates required: The Copilot agent is bundled directly with AI Assistant and kept current automatically. No separate plugin to install, update, or maintain.
- Chat-centric workflow: Ideal for multi-step reasoning tasks—describe a goal, let Copilot plan and propose changes, and iterate conversationally.
- Model selection: Switch Copilot models or adjust reasoning depth without leaving the chat panel.
Using GitHub Copilot in AI Assistant
- Open JetBrains AI Assistant by pressing Alt+A (Windows/Linux) or Command+Shift+A (macOS), or click the AI Assistant icon in the right tool window.
- In the agent picker dropdown at the top of the chat panel, select GitHub Copilot.
- Enter a prompt and start chatting.
The ACP Registry
The ACP Registry is the catalog of agents that AI Assistant knows about. When the IDE starts, it consults the registry to discover which agents are available. GitHub Copilot's ACP entry is part of the default registry, so Copilot appears in your agent list automatically when you have a valid subscription and the required credentials in place.
For more information about ACP, see the ACP documentation. For technical details on running Copilot 命令行界面（CLI） as an ACP server, see Copilot CLI ACP 服务器.
GitHub Copilot 命令行界面 (CLI) in the integrated terminal
GitHub Copilot 命令行界面 (CLI) brings Copilot's capabilities directly to the terminal. It is optimized for command-line workflows and can run on macOS, Linux, or Windows.