# GitHub Copilot weekly releases — August 31

> Source: <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-09-04-github-copilot-weekly-releases-august-31>
> Published: 2026-09-04 21:05:01+00:00

Release

# GitHub Copilot weekly releases — August 31

This week, GitHub Copilot expands model choice and content protections, while VS Code adds new ways to manage agent sessions and get pull requests merge-ready.

### [GitHub Copilot, general](#github-copilot-general)

- Claude Fable 5.1 is available to Copilot Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise users.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash is rolling out to Copilot Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise users.

For more information, see [our list of all supported models](https://docs.github.com/copilot/reference/ai-models/supported-models).

### [GitHub Copilot app and Copilot CLI](#github-copilot-app-and-copilot-cli)

- Copilot app and CLI now honor content exclusions, keeping sensitive code out of context across agentic workflows.

### [GitHub Copilot in JetBrains](#github-copilot-in-jetbrains)

The GitHub Copilot harness is now generally available in Copilot for JetBrains, providing faster feature delivery and better code quality.

For more information, see [our previous changelog about the release](https://github.blog/changelog/2026-08-24-copilot-harness-generally-available-in-copilot-for-jetbrains).

### [VS Code 1.136 release updates](#vs-code-1-136-release-updates)

- Agent Merge is now in public preview and gets your pull request ready to merge by resolving review feedback, failed checks, and merge conflicts.
- Multi-root workspaces are now experimental and bring Copilot and Claude agent sessions to every folder in your workspace.
- Chat backgrounds are now experimental and let you personalize the Agents window with built-in patterns or your own images.
- Chat sessions organize related chats into a hierarchy and show which ones need your attention.

Explore everything that’s new in the full [release notes](https://aka.ms/VSCode/136).