Explore a repository using Copilot on the web

[Akash1134]

Explore a repository using Copilot on the web

Understanding a new repository often means jumping between files, searching for context, and figuring out how everything fits together. We’ve made that process smoother when chatting with Copilot on the web.

What’s new

You can now ask Copilot to show a file and explore the repository’s file tree directly within Copilot Chat on GitHub.com.

This gives you a clearer view of how files connect across the codebase, making it easier to:

• Navigate the repository structure
• Jump between related files
• Ask Copilot questions with the right context

Add references to your chat effortlessly

As you browse the file explorer, any files you select are automatically added to your chat as temporary references.

You can also make them permanent references by:

• Clicking the reference token, or
• Double-clicking the file preview tab

This makes it easy to build context in your conversation with Copilot as you explore.

Try it out

This feature is now available in public preview.

If you’ve tried it already, we’d love to hear from you:

• How are you using the file explorer with Copilot Chat?
• Does it help you understand unfamiliar repositories faster?
• What improvements would you like to see?

Share your thoughts below 👇

[ZiuChen]

Maybe we don't need DeepWiki anymore?

[GerhardZeelie007]

Can we disable this?

[tyler-voigt]

Is there a way to disable this. quite distracing having a full chat window in Copilot and then as soon as code is referenced, it moves everything around so I'm no longer reading in the centre of the screen, it's now squished to the left. I want to read Copilots response, not code that it's typically referencing and code I already know of.