Revolutionizing DevOps with GitHub Copilot and Azure Integration

Agentic DevOps is reshaping the future of software development. Discover how these AI-powered agents empower developers to deliver projects faster, tackle routine tasks, and stay in control of their workflow. Explore how agentic DevOps can help you focus on work that truly matters while embracing innovation.

The latest update to GitHub Copilot introduces a new coding agent, ready to seamlessly integrate with your team. Thanks to intelligent agents, every stage in the software development lifecycle is transforming—yet you always remain in the driver’s seat. At Microsoft Build 2025, we’ll uncover how this new era in software development changes everything and share a glimpse into the path ahead.

As Microsoft marked its fiftieth anniversary, we revisited the original ambition: creating a “software factory.” Microsoft has always been shaped by developers, for developers. Now, as the next chapter unfolds, this vision evolves, placing you at the centre of a dynamic landscape, brought to life with Agentic DevOps.

Developers have long been the architects of possibility, bringing bold ideas to life through code. Yet as technology grows, so do the challenges—rising complexity, mounting technical debt, and an endless stream of fixes can dampen enthusiasm. That’s where agentic DevOps comes in: rediscover your excitement, get in the flow, and focus on meaningful creation while automation handles the rest.

GitHub Copilot has already streamlined coding for 15 million developers worldwide. But writing code is only a fraction of a developer’s job. You spend the rest of the day troubleshooting, planning, reviewing documentation, and cleaning up old code. Agentic workflows with GitHub Copilot step up to help with the complex, repetitive, and difficult parts of software development.

Agentic DevOps, especially when used with GitHub Copilot’s agentic workflows, enable faster delivery, higher code quality, better collaboration, improved security, and smarter handling of technical debt. These agents streamline your pipeline so your applications stay robust in production and evolve without headaches.

Introducing Agentic DevOps: The Next Generation

Let’s introduce Agentic DevOps: an innovative approach where smart agents assist at each phase of your software’s lifecycle. In this model, autonomous agents collaborate with you and each other, automating and perfecting routine jobs. Imagine a dedicated team tackling bug fixes, documentation, and small features—freeing you to concentrate on work that propels your project forward.

Previously, software delivery could drag on—plans spanned weeks, builds took months, and launches were infrequent. With Agentic DevOps, ideas can become working prototypes in hours and go live in days. This modern approach helps you slash your backlog, conquer technical debt, boost security, and keep everything running optimally. Importantly, you remain in command, steering automation, and approving each critical decision. 

GitHub Copilot acts as your escape from repetitive work, restoring the creativity and satisfaction that led you to software in the first place. This tool does much more than just complete your code; it reviews, highlights vulnerabilities, and suggests fixes long before deployment. Here’s how the latest features power agentic DevOps and keep you ahead of the curve. For extra insights, see what GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke shares about the latest in GitHub Copilot.

• Agent mode: This new mode takes GitHub Copilot to the next level, helping you handle complex, multi-step tasks collaboratively. It scans your entire codebase, makes consistent changes, generates and runs tests, fixes bugs, and suggests terminal commands—all from a single prompt. Compatible with editors like Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains, Eclipse, and Xcode, agent mode makes sure your workflow remains smooth and efficient.
• New coding agent: This advanced agent transforms Copilot from an assistant to a bona fide team member. Assign it tasks like code reviews, test writing, bug fixes, or entire specifications. It works with other intelligent agents to address complicated development and production issues. With robust audit trails and branch safeguards, every suggestion remains under your control until approved—helping you focus on what matters most while the agent handles routine issues.
• App modernisation made easy: Deploying to production is just the beginning—legacy code doesn’t have to slow you down. With GitHub Copilot, modernising outdated stacks becomes hassle-free. The agent assesses your codebase, updates dependencies, and manages legacy Java, .NET, and soon mainframe applications. Update plans are proposed automatically, with changes clearly summarised for your review. This results in safer, leaner, and easier-to-maintain applications. When you’re not bogged down with maintenance, you can focus on innovating for the future.
• Azure Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Agent: Focus on building while the Azure SRE Agent monitors your production environments. This agent operates round the clock, automatically responding to incidents, resolving issues, and offering guidance for root cause analysis. Covering Azure Kubernetes Service, App Service, serverless, and databases, it brings the expertise of global Azure operations to your fingertips. All remedial actions and recommended fixes are automatically logged as GitHub issues, ensuring nothing is overlooked. Enjoy fewer disturbances and faster recoveries.

How to Troubleshoot Agentic DevOps Issues

Getting started with agentic DevOps can introduce questions or hiccups. Here’s how to resolve common issues:

• Agent not responding: Restart your development environment. Make sure your editor and Copilot extension are up to date. If problems persist, check your network connection.
• Unexpected code changes: Review the proposed changes before applying them. Adjust agent permissions or configuration settings as needed.
• Legacy code compatibility: Ensure your agent is configured for the correct language or framework. Consult the GitHub Copilot documentation for best practices.
• Security concerns: Use branch protection, code reviews, and audit logs to maintain complete oversight of agent-driven changes.

If you encounter other challenges with agentic DevOps, consult product release notes or reach out to your platform’s support forum for tailored advice.