change-the-chat-model.md

title	Changing the AI model for GitHub Copilot Chat
shortTitle	Change the chat model
intro	Learn how to switch between models for {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}.
versions	feature copilot
redirect_from	/copilot/using-github-copilot/ai-models/changing-the-ai-model-for-copilot-chat /copilot/how-tos/ai-models/changing-the-ai-model-for-copilot-chat /copilot/how-tos/ai-models/change-the-chat-model
contentType	how-tos
category	Configure Copilot

Choose from a selection of models, each with its own particular strengths. You may have a favorite model that you like to use, or you might prefer to use a particular model for inquiring about a specific subject.

To view the available models per client, see AUTOTITLE.

[!NOTE] Different models consume {% data variables.product.prodname_ai_credits_short %} at different rates based on their token pricing. For details, see AUTOTITLE.

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} allows you to change the model during a chat and have the alternative model used to generate responses to your prompts.

{% data reusables.copilot.model-picker-enable-alternative-models %}

Changing the model used by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} does not affect the model used for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} inline suggestions. See AUTOTITLE.

{% webui %}

Limitations of AI models for {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}

Experimental pre-release versions of the models may not interact with all filters correctly, including the setting to block suggestions matching public code (see AUTOTITLE).

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} on the {% data variables.product.github %} website. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

[!NOTE] If you use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_extensions_short %}, they may override the model you select.

{% data reusables.copilot.model-picker-enable-alternative-models %}

1. In the top right of any page on {% data variables.product.github %}, click the {% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} icon.

   

2. At the bottom of {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, select the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "chevron-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="chevron-down" %} dropdown menu, then click the AI model of your choice.

3. Optionally, after submitting a prompt, you can regenerate the same prompt using a different model by clicking the retry icon ({% octicon "sync" aria-label="The re-run icon" %}) below the response. The new response will use your selected model and maintain the full context of the conversation.

{% endwebui %}

{% vscode %}

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-model-limitations-ide %}

{% data reusables.copilot.open-chat-vs-code %}

1. At the bottom of the chat view, select the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "chevron-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="chevron-down" %} dropdown menu, then click the AI model of your choice.

{% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-option %}

Adding more models

You can expand the model options that are available to power {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}. You can add models from:

• A model provider—such as Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI, and others.
• The AI Toolkit for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.

[!NOTE] Using the AI Toolkit for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} is in {% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %} and subject to change.

Prerequisites

• Depending on the provider or model you choose, you may need to supply an API key, or model ID, from the provider, or a {% data variables.product.github %} {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} (PAT).
• To add models from the AI Toolkit for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, you must install the AI Toolkit extension.
• If you are a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_business_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_enterprise_short %} customer and want to use third-party models in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, the Bring Your Own Language Model Key in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} policy must be enabled. For more information, see the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} settings page in {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.

Adding models

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} chat view, click the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "chevron-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="chevron-down" %} dropdown menu.

2. Click Manage Models.

   

   A list of providers is displayed.

   If you have installed the AI Toolkit, then additional providers, added via the AI Toolkit, are also listed.

   

3. Click the provider whose model(s) you want to add.

4. Depending on which provider you selected, you may be prompted to enter a {% data variables.product.github %} PAT, an API key for the provider, or a model ID for a specific model.

   Enter the required information, then press Enter.

   A list of available models is displayed.

5. Select the model(s) you want to add, then click OK.

The models you selected are now available in the model picker in the chat view.

If you added a model from a provider via the AI Toolkit then the first time you use the model, you will be prompted to download it. You may also be prompted to authenticate with the provider.

[!TIP] If you're already using chat with {% data variables.copilot.copilot_auto_model_selection_short %}, you'll need to start a new chat session to switch models. To start a new session, in the top right of the chat view, click {% octicon "plus" aria-label="new chat" %} new chat.

{% endvscode %}

{% visualstudio %}

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

To use multi-model {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, you must use {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2022 version 17.12 or later. See the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} downloads page.

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-model-limitations-ide %}

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} menu bar, click View, then click {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %}.
2. In the bottom right of the chat view, select the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "triangle-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="triangle-down" %} dropdown menu, then click the AI model of your choice.

{% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-option %}

{% endvisualstudio %}

{% jetbrains %}

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for the JetBrains IDEs. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-model-limitations-ide %}

For reasoning models that support configurable thinking effort, you can control how much reasoning the model applies to each request.

1. Click the {% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} icon in the status bar.
2. In the popup menu, click Open {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat %}.
3. In the bottom right of the chat view, select an AI model of your choice from the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "chevron-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="chevron-down" %} dropdown menu.
4. Optionally, hover over a reasoning model that supports configurable thinking effort.
   1. In the Thinking Effort submenu, select an effort level. Nonreasoning models do not display the Thinking Effort submenu.

{% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-option %}

Tip

Model selection is also available when using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} through JetBrains AI Assistant. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.

{% endjetbrains %}

{% eclipse %}

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for the Eclipse IDE. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-model-limitations-ide %}

1. Click the {% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} icon in the status bar.
2. In the popup menu, click Open Chat.
3. In the bottom right of the chat panel, click the currently selected AI model, then select an alternative model from the popup menu.

{% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-option %}

{% endeclipse %}

{% xcode %}

Changing the AI model

These instructions are for Xcode. For instructions on different clients, click the appropriate tab at the top of this page.

To use multi-model {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, you must install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for Xcode extension. See AUTOTITLE.

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-model-limitations-ide %}

1. To open the chat view, click Editor in the menu bar, then click {% octicon "copilot" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="copilot" %} {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} then Open Chat. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} opens in a new window.
2. In the bottom right of the chat view, select the CURRENT-MODEL {% octicon "triangle-down" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="triangle-down" %} dropdown menu, then click the AI model of your choice.

{% data reusables.copilot.auto-model-option %}

{% endxcode %}

Further reading

• AUTOTITLE
• AUTOTITLE

{% vscode %}

• AI language models in VS Code in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} documentation.

{% endvscode %}