GitHub Copilot for JetBrains expands BYOK capabilities

GitHub announced expanded bring-your-own-key (BYOK) capabilities for Copilot in JetBrains IDEs, allowing developers to configure OpenAI-compatible custom endpoints with API keys. The update also adds Claude agent provider support, local sandboxing, a built-in debugger skill, and improved plugin management across all subscription tiers.

GitHub Copilot for JetBrains expands BYOK capabilities This update brings major advances in customization and model provider flexibility to all tiers of GitHub Copilot for JetBrains IDEs. With richer plugin and provider experiences, improved conversational interactions, and stronger reliability, teams can more confidently tailor Copilot to how they build software. What’s new whats-new Bring your own key custom endpoint support bring-your-own-key-custom-endpoint-support We’ve expanded bring your own key support with custom endpoints. You can now configure OpenAI-compatible custom endpoints with API keys to use your own models. Expanded customizations with plugin management expanded-customizations-with-plugin-management GitHub Copilot for JetBrains now includes a more complete plugin management experience in customizations. You can browse and install plugins through the marketplace or from the source repository. This makes it easier to shape Copilot around team-specific workflows without jumping between disconnected setup surfaces. Claude agent provider customizations support claude-agent-provider-customizations-support Customizations now support Claude agent provider, allowing you to set up custom agents, skills, and instructions. Available for GitHub Copilot Pro and higher plans in public preview. Local sandboxing support local-sandboxing-support This release adds support for local sandboxing, including new sandbox settings and configuration flows in the JetBrains plugin. This feature is in public preview. For more information, see About cloud and local sandboxes https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/about-cloud-and-local-sandboxes . Built-in debugger skill for Copilot CLI built-in-debugger-skill-for-copilot-cli This release adds a built-in debugger skill for Copilot CLI sessions, enabling agent-driven debugging workflows directly in your development environment. It helps you investigate issues step by step with guided debugging support. This feature is in public preview. User experience enhancements user-experience-enhancements This version also improves usability across chat, model selection, customization views, and CLI sessions. - Improved model picker controls in chat and inline chat - Improved UI clarity for custom agents, customizations, and provider settings - Improved authentication UX messaging - Added message re-edit support in inline and CLI experiences for faster prompt iteration and follow-up requests Quality improvements quality-improvements We’ve improved reliability and stability across authentication recovery, account switching, provider and session persistence, and editor interaction paths. These fixes reduce friction in long-running sessions and make Copilot behavior more consistent when switching modes, providers, or work contexts. Changed changed We’ve adjusted Copilot CLI provider policy handling for CLI-as-default scenarios. Disabling Copilot CLI by policy no longer affects Copilot CLI provider in JetBrains IDEs. Try it out try-it-out We encourage you to try out the latest version of the GitHub Copilot plugin https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/17718-github-copilot--your-ai-pair-programmer/versions and share your feedback. Your input is invaluable in helping us refine and improve the product. Share your feedback share-your-feedback Your feedback drives improvements. We’d love to hear about your experience in the following channels: In-product feedback: Use the feedback options within your IDE. Feedback repository: Share your thoughts in the GitHub Copilot for JetBrains IDEs issues https://github.com/microsoft/copilot-intellij-feedback/issues .