Agent mode has arrived in preview for Visual Studio

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Enabling Agent Mode
3. Using Agent Mode
4. Boosting Agent Mode with MCP Servers
5. Monthly Copilot Updates in Visual Studio
6. Visual Studio Hub
7. Feedback Appreciation

Introduction

Agent mode has been introduced in public preview for Visual Studio 17.14, offering a more powerful way to complete coding tasks iteratively.

Enabling Agent Mode

Agent mode is off by default in this preview phase; you can access it via the Copilot badge in the IDE.

Using Agent Mode

Agent mode enhances productivity by orchestrating development flow based on user requests. It can handle multiple requests and tasks such as adding error handling, writing tests, or making code changes.

Boosting Agent Mode with MCP Servers

You can further enhance agent mode by utilizing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, providing additional context and access to tools and resources like Azure services.

Monthly Copilot Updates in Visual Studio

Visual Studio will move to a monthly release schedule for Copilot updates, ensuring users have access to the latest features and improvements.

Visual Studio Hub

The new Visual Studio Hub provides a centralized location to stay updated on all Visual Studio news and releases.

Feedback Appreciation

User feedback is valued as it helps improve Visual Studio, making it a more powerful tool for developers.