GitHub Copilot app

Note

This lab starts with a standalone space-quiz project for a guided tour, then uses the separate Tailspin Toys template repository for the remaining lessons.

The GitHub Copilot app is a desktop application built on Copilot CLI that brings agent-driven development into a single, focused workspace. It adds parallel agent sessions, switchable session modes, shared canvases, and native GitHub issue and pull request management — including Agent Merge, which shepherds a pull request through rebases, review feedback, CI fixes, and merge.

Across these lessons you’ll install the app, build and ship a standalone space quiz through a guided tour, then move into the Tailspin Toys project and its seeded backlog. You’ll start with a small Tailspin change — adding a star rating — then add a custom instructions standard from an issue, build a filtering feature in an isolated agent session, and verify it with a reusable skill. You’ll add the Playwright MCP server to explore the feature in a real browser, then climb a ladder of merge automation that ends with Agent Merge landing your pull request. Finally you’ll collaborate on a shared canvas and automate recurring work — a complete loop from idea to merged feature.

Lessons

Lesson	Topic	Description
0. Prerequisites	Setup	Confirm Git and install Node.js
1. Install the Copilot app	Setup	Install the app, sign in, and get oriented in the workspace
2. Guided tour of the Copilot app	Guided tour	Build, polish, publish, and review a standalone space quiz
3. Running your first Tailspin agent session	First change	Create the Tailspin project and ship a small change
4. Guiding Copilot with custom instructions	Context	Add a documentation standard from an issue and merge it
5. Building a feature with Autopilot	Core Feature	Use Plan and Autopilot to build filtering, then verify it with a skill
6. Testing with Playwright MCP	External Tools	Add the Playwright MCP server and explore your feature in a browser
7. Merging with Agent Merge	Merge	Let Agent Merge fix and land your filtering pull request
8. Planning with canvases	Collaboration	Create a shared canvas to plan and track your work
9. Review and next steps	Summary	Automate recurring tasks and explore what’s next

Prerequisites

Before attending this workshop, please ensure you have:

• A GitHub account with an active Copilot Student, Pro, Pro+, Business, or Enterprise plan
• A computer running macOS, Linux, or Windows
• Git installed on your computer
• Node.js 22 or newer installed on your computer

Tip

No paid plan? Verified students can get GitHub Copilot for free through GitHub Education. The Copilot Student plan includes the agent, MCP, code review, and Copilot CLI features this workshop uses — so you can complete every harness with it.

Note

Because the Copilot app runs on your own machine rather than in a codespace, Lesson 0 walks you through installing the local prerequisites before you install the app.

Note

If you are using Copilot Business or Copilot Enterprise, your administrator must enable the Copilot CLI policy before you can use the app.

Get Started

Start with Lesson 0: Prerequisites →