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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: Using GitHub Copilot in JetBrains IDEs |
| 3 | +shortTitle: Copilot in JetBrains |
| 4 | +intro: 'Learn about the different ways to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_jetbrains_ides %}, including the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin, JetBrains AI Assistant, and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}.' |
| 5 | +versions: |
| 6 | + feature: copilot |
| 7 | +contentType: concepts |
| 8 | +category: |
| 9 | + - Learn about Copilot |
| 10 | +allowTitleToDifferFromFilename: true |
| 11 | +--- |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +## Introduction |
| 14 | + |
| 15 | +There are three ways to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_jetbrains_ides %}: the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} as an agent in JetBrains AI Assistant, and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %} in the integrated terminal. Each entry point provides a different set of capabilities depending on how you prefer to work. |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +## Comparing entry points |
| 18 | + |
| 19 | +| | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in AI Assistant | {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} | |
| 20 | +|---|---|---|---| |
| 21 | +| **Best for** | Comprehensive AI coding workflow | Quick {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} access without a separate plugin | Terminal-first workflows | |
| 22 | +| **Entry point** | Chat panel, inline chat, code suggestions, code review, commit message | Default agent picker, ACP Registry | Terminal or shell | |
| 23 | +| **Code completion** | Yes | Not included | Not included | |
| 24 | +| **Next edit suggestions** | Yes | Coming soon | Not included | |
| 25 | +| **Agentic experience** | Multiple agent harnesses | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} as agent via ACP, Default agent picker | {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} | |
| 26 | +| **IDE tools** | Yes | Yes | Not included | |
| 27 | +| **Model selection** | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 28 | +| **Inline chat** | Yes | Not included | Not included | |
| 29 | +| **Code review** | Yes | Not included | Not included | |
| 30 | +| **Commit message generation** | Yes | Not included | Not included | |
| 31 | +| **Subscription** | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} | {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} | |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +## {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +The {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin for {% data variables.product.prodname_jetbrains_ides %} is the most comprehensive way to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} and is the recommended choice. |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +The plugin is transitioning from its local agent harness to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} as the default agent harness, which brings faster feature parity and higher-quality results. For more information, see [{% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} is becoming the default agent harness in {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for JetBrains](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/java/github-copilot-for-jetbrains-is-moving-to-copilot-cli-as-the-default-agent-harness/). For installation instructions, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/set-up/install-copilot-extension). |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +* **Code completion and next edit suggestions**: {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} suggests completions as you type and proactively predicts your next intended edit. |
| 40 | +* **Multiple agent harnesses**: The plugin ships its own agent experience and partners with other agent providers, giving you multiple interaction modes. |
| 41 | +* **Full model and feature support**: All {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} models, code completion modes, and bring-your-own-key features are available as they are released. |
| 42 | +* **Inline chat**: Explain, refactor, document, or generate code directly in the editor gutter, without switching to a separate panel. |
| 43 | +* **Code review**: {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} analyzes your changes and surfaces actionable feedback, flagging potential bugs, style violations, and logic issues. |
| 44 | +* **Commit message generation**: {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} inspects your staged changes and generates a clear, conventional commit message. |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +## {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in JetBrains AI Assistant |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +> [!NOTE] |
| 49 | +> {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in AI Assistant provides chat and agent capabilities only. It does not include code completion, next edit suggestions, inline chat, code review, or commit message generation. |
| 50 | +
|
| 51 | +{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is available as a native agent in JetBrains AI Assistant through the Agent Client Protocol (ACP). The ACP is an open standard for connecting AI agents to the IDE. If you have a valid {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscription, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} appears in the AI Assistant agent picker automatically. |
| 52 | + |
| 53 | +This integration is designed for developers who prefer to work inside the AI Assistant chat panel or who want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} available without installing an additional plugin. |
| 54 | + |
| 55 | +* **No updates required**: The {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} agent is bundled directly with AI Assistant and kept current automatically. No separate plugin to install, update, or maintain. |
| 56 | +* **Chat-centric workflow**: Ideal for multi-step reasoning tasks—describe a goal, let {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} plan and propose changes, and iterate conversationally. |
| 57 | +* **Model selection**: Switch {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} models or adjust reasoning depth without leaving the chat panel. |
| 58 | + |
| 59 | +### Using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in AI Assistant |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +1. Open JetBrains AI Assistant by pressing <kbd>Alt</kbd>+<kbd>A</kbd> (Windows/Linux) or <kbd>Command</kbd>+<kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>A</kbd> (macOS), or click the AI Assistant icon in the right tool window. |
| 62 | +1. In the agent picker dropdown at the top of the chat panel, select **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}**. |
| 63 | +1. Enter a prompt and start chatting. |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +### The ACP Registry |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | +The ACP Registry is the catalog of agents that AI Assistant knows about. When the IDE starts, it consults the registry to discover which agents are available. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}'s ACP entry is part of the default registry, so {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} appears in your agent list automatically when you have a valid subscription and the required credentials in place. |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +For more information about ACP, see the [ACP documentation](https://agentclientprotocol.com/get-started/introduction). For technical details on running {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} as an ACP server, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/reference/copilot-cli-reference/acp-server). |
| 70 | + |
| 71 | +## {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %} in the integrated terminal |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +{% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %} brings {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s capabilities directly to the terminal. It is optimized for command-line workflows and can run on macOS, Linux, or Windows. |
| 74 | + |
| 75 | +## Further reading |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | +* [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/chat-with-copilot/chat-in-ide) |
| 78 | +* [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/set-up/install-copilot-extension) |
| 79 | +* [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-ai-models/change-the-chat-model) |
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