Github Copilot repeatedly wastes prompts in Agent mode by asking me to read files FOR IT, after I've provided access to the entire solution.

[MManard]

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Copilot Feature Area

Visual Studio

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Github Copilot repeatedly wastes prompts in Agent mode by asking me to read files FOR IT, after I've provided access to the entire solution.

[ImElk]

This happens because Agent mode does not automatically ingest your entire solution, even when access is granted. Copilot often only reasons over files that are explicitly referenced or that it successfully reads via its file/search tools.

Common causes:

Agent/Planning tools are not fully enabled (or VS wasn’t restarted)

Copilot lacks permission to read files in that session

The prompt doesn’t explicitly tell the agent which files to read

Workarounds:

Confirm Agent mode + Planning tools are enabled in Visual Studio, then restart

Explicitly reference files, folders, or symbols in your prompt

Instruct Copilot to search and read files before responding (and only ask you to paste content if tool access fails)

If this persists, it’s likely a tooling bug—include VS version, Copilot version, and whether Agent/Planning is enabled when reporting it to GitHub.

Really hope this helps!