[2026-07-09] Improved repo exploration with Copilot Chat (#61845)

Co-authored-by: Copilot <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Copilot Autofix powered by AI <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: vgrltwin <vgrl+twin@github.com>
Co-authored-by: Sheena Ganju <sheenyg@github.com>

Author: 5 people

content/copilot/how-tos/copilot-on-github/chat-with-copilot/get-started-with-chat.md

@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ category:
 
 ## Repository questions
 
-Navigate to a repository to ask about its code, structure, or history.
+Navigate to a repository to ask about its purpose, structure, code, or history. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} grounds its answers in the actual files and symbols in the repository, so you can get a high-level overview and then ask follow-up questions within the same context.
 
 * {% prompt %}What is the main purpose of this repo?{% endprompt %}
+* {% prompt %}Give me an overview of how this project is structured.{% endprompt %}
+* {% prompt %}How do I set up and run this project locally?{% endprompt %}
 * {% prompt %}Where is rate limiting implemented in our API?{% endprompt %}
 * {% prompt %}What was the last merged PR by USERNAME{% endprompt %}
 
@@ -47,6 +49,14 @@ Navigate to a pull request to ask about changes, reviews, or failing workflows.
 * {% prompt %}What did {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} change in this PR and why?{% endprompt %}
 * {% prompt %}What did {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} validate before opening this PR?{% endprompt %}
 
+## Debugging questions
+
+Navigate to a failed workflow run, a pull request with a failing check, or paste a stack trace to get help diagnosing and fixing the problem.
+
+* {% prompt %}Why did this workflow run fail?{% endprompt %}
+* {% prompt %}Explain this stack trace and suggest a fix.{% endprompt %}
+* {% prompt %}Which change in this PR most likely caused the failing test?{% endprompt %}
+
 ## Security alert questions
 
 Navigate to a {% data variables.product.prodname_code_scanning %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_secret_scanning %}, or {% data variables.product.prodname_dependabot %} alert to ask about it.

content/copilot/tutorials/explore-a-codebase.md

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ redirect_from:
   - /copilot/tutorials/using-copilot-to-explore-a-codebase
 contentType: tutorials
 category:
-  - Scale institutional knowledge 
+  - Scale institutional knowledge
   - Author and optimize with Copilot
 ---
 
@@ -21,15 +21,28 @@ If you've been assigned to work on a project that you're not familiar with—or
 
 Throughout this guide, we'll work with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}, which you can find at [github.com/copilot](https://github.com/copilot?ref_product=copilot&ref_type=engagement&ref_style=text).
 
-## Attaching a codebase
+## Providing repository context
 
-Before {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} can help you, you need to attach the codebase you want to explore.
+You can ask {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} about a codebase in either of these ways.
+
+### Attaching a repository in chat
+
+Attaching a repository gives {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} access to the code in the repository, and is best when you want to compare or switch between repositories during a conversation.
 
 1. On {% data variables.product.github %}, navigate to [github.com/copilot](https://github.com/copilot?ref_product=copilot&ref_type=engagement&ref_style=text).
 1. In the text box, click **{% octicon "plus" aria-label="Add attachments" %} Add repositories, files, and spaces**, then click **Repositories**.
 1. Search for and select the repository you want to explore.
 
-{% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} now has access to the code in that repository, and you can start asking questions about it.
+### Asking from the repository page
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> This feature is currently in {% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %} and subject to change.
+
+You can ask {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} about a repository directly from its page on {% data variables.product.github %}, without attaching it first. This is a quick way to get oriented in a project you haven't worked on before.
+
+1. On {% data variables.product.github %}, navigate to the repository you want to explore.
+1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} from the repository page and ask a question. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} uses the repository as context and grounds its answers in the repository's actual files and symbols.
+1. Ask a follow-up question to go deeper, using the same shared context.
 
 ## Example prompts
 
@@ -41,6 +54,10 @@ The following prompts are examples of the kind of questions you can ask {% data
 
 * `Based on the code in this repository, give me an overview of the architecture of the codebase. Provide evidence.`
 
+* `Give me an overview of this repository: its purpose, structure, key components, and how to run it.`
+
+* `What are the main entry points and how do the key components fit together?`
+
 * `Which languages are used in this repo? Show the percentages for each language.`
 
 * `What are the core algorithms implemented in this repo?`
@@ -104,7 +121,7 @@ Use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to help you understand t
 
 1. On {% data variables.product.github %}, navigate to a repository and open a file.
 1. At the top of the file, click the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} icon (**{% octicon "copilot" aria-label="Copilot icon" %}**) to open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}.
-     
+
      {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will display the file contents in a split screen as context for your question.
 
 1. If you want to ask about a specific symbol, highlight the symbol in the file.

content/copilot/tutorials/explore-pull-requests.md

@@ -34,6 +34,18 @@ The following prompts are examples of the kind of questions you can ask {% data
 * `What is the current status of this pull request?`
 * `What are the main changes in this pull request?`
 
+## Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to explain changes in a pull request
+
+You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to examine the changes in a pull request and provide insights. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can return a story of the commits made, a list of unresolved feedback, or assistance with performing a structured review with insights and actionable suggestions, using context from the pull request's file changes, commits, comments, and existing reviews.
+
+1. On {% data variables.product.github %}, navigate to a pull request in a repository.
+1. Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, type your question, and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>.
+
+### Example prompts
+* `Help me understand the commits made in this pull request.`
+* `Is there any unresolved feedback in this pull request?`
+* `Help review this pull request.`
+
 ## Ask about changes to a specific file in a pull request
 
 You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to explain the changes made to a specific file in a pull request, or to provide information about the status of a file in a pull request.
@@ -43,6 +55,8 @@ You can ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to explain the c
 1. To the right side of a line in the file you want to ask about, click the {% octicon "triangle-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="Show file actions" %} icon, then click **{% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}**, and select **Ask about this diff**.
 
     This opens {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} with the file changes indicated as the context of your question.
+
+    Your conversation appears alongside the diff, so you can review the code and chat at the same time.
 1. Type a question in the prompt box at the bottom of the chat panel and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>.
 
 ### Example prompts
@@ -96,3 +110,4 @@ When you view a pull request created by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_
 ## Further reading
 
 * [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/using-copilot-to-explore-a-codebase)
+* [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/tutorials/roll-out-at-scale/drive-downstream-impact/accelerate-pull-requests)