Brace yourselves, developers! Visual Studio Code (VS Code) v1.96 just landed, bringing a powerhouse of AI-driven updates and a sleeker coding experience you’d think came straight out of a sci-fi novel. Buckle up because we’re about to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of the latest VS Code release, especially its cutting-edge enhancements to GitHub Copilot. Whether you’re a seasoned coder or just dipping your toes into development, Microsoft has thrown down the gauntlet with these remarkable upgrades.
Here’s what the AI future of coding looks like:
In v1.96, these chats are now:
Still not convinced? Download VS Code v1.96, flip open a project, and let Copilot take the reins. You’ll likely wonder how you ever coded without it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments—what features are you most excited about?
Source: Visual Studio Magazine Copilot AI Boosts Abound in New VS Code v1.96
What’s New with Copilot in VS Code v1.96?
If AI assistants had a star pupil, Copilot would be the teacher's pet—and its latest updates cement that status. Microsoft has significantly upgraded the Copilot Edit feature (initially previewed in November 2024), which lets developers apply sweeping changes to projects using nothing more than a few prompts. But it doesn’t stop there. Each enhancement is finely tuned to improve collaboration, efficiency, and workflow intuitiveness.Here’s what the AI future of coding looks like:
1. Copilot Edits: AI Supercharged
Introduced last month, Copilot Edits allows you to initiate AI-powered code-editing sessions to implement multi-file changes at warp speed. Developers can use simple prompts to request and apply modifications, and now, with v1.96, this feature gets a shiny new overhaul:- Real-Time Feedback: Want to keep track of instant changes? Copilot now streams progress updates as edits are applied. It’s like watching a live coding show starring AI.
- Editor Overlay Controls: Quickly cycle through the applied changes and decide what to keep or discard, providing even more granular control over your edits.
2. Chat Sessions Meet Copilot Edits
A fascinating upgrade allows developers to port entire chat sessions from Copilot Chat into Copilot Edits. Whatever code suggestions or snippets Copilot comes up with in your AI discussions can now be applied all at once. This streamlines workflows, saving you from cherry-picking individual suggestions.3. Smarter File Suggestions
Copilot Edits is now smarter at identifying which files should be part of a project’s working set:- For Git Repositories, suggestions adapt based on the files you’re already editing, pulling in related files frequently updated alongside them.
- This means less disruption and more time innovating—honed specifically for large and interconnected projects.
4. Edit Session Persistence
No more starting from scratch after restarting your editor. Copilot now remembers Edit sessions, retaining the state of your working set, acceptance decisions, and file statuses across reboots. This is particularly handy when working on long-term or complex projects.5. Debugging Supercharged with Copilot
We're entering the future of debugging with thecopilot-debug command. Here's how it works:- Prefix your usual debugging command with
copilot-debug, and Copilot will launch a smarter AI-driven debugging session. - For example, typing
copilot-debug python foo.pyunveils an easier way to investigate bugs and errors.
6. Data Insights with Usage Graphs
Transparency is king. Developers can now see graphs visualizing Copilot's usage directly in VS Code’s Runtime Status view. This reflects metrics such as chat requests over the past 30 days, helping you measure the AI’s impact.7. Tailored Commit Message Generation
Do unreadable or unstructured commit messages bring chaos to your Git history? With the latest release, you can supply custom instructions for commit message formatting, ensuring alignment with your team’s guidelines.Improvements for Non-Copilot Users
While Copilot might get the spotlight, VS Code v1.96 doesn’t leave non-AI users in the lurch. Several enhancements target core features to improve day-to-day coding tasks:Core Enhancements:
- Overtype Mode: Toggle between overwriting and inserting text, perfect for those who like precision in text manipulation.
- Add Imports on Paste for JS/TS: When pasting code, VS Code automatically detects and adds missing JavaScript or TypeScript imports, removing another manual task.
- Test Coverage Filtering: Enhanced test coverage views make it a breeze to identify which code blocks are tied to specific tests.
- Move Panels: Switch views between the Primary and Secondary Side Bars effortlessly, giving you a more customizable workspace.
Terminal Goodness:
- Ligatures for the Terminal: Finally, terminal commands are getting better readability with support for ligatures. It’s a game changer for visual clarity.
- Terminal Inline Chat Parity: Terminal in-line chats now have the same polish and consistency as their editor counterparts for a unified user experience.
Extension Control:
Organizations can now manage which extensions their teams use via an extension allow list, making compliance a breeze for larger teams with stringent requirements.Revolutionizing Coding with Copilot Chat
For those not yet familiar, Copilot's Chat and Inline Chat features are redefining what it means to "collaborate" in coding. Gone are the days of mindlessly Googling fixes and tweaking Stack Overflow snippets. Picture this: you type a natural-language request into your editor like, "Refactor this code to follow the Strategy Design Pattern," and Copilot engages you conversationally, providing iterative suggestions.In v1.96, these chats are now:
- Smoother and Sleeker: Subtle progress indicators ensure you know exactly where Copilot is in processing your requests.
- Unified Across Terminal and Editor: Terminal inline chat gets a revamped look, aligning its aesthetic with the editor’s chat experience.
Why Windows Users Should Care
For developers using Windows, VS Code’s updates are monumental. Why? Visual Studio Code, alongside GitHub Copilot, works seamlessly across Windows environments. Whether you’ve integrated Azure services, deploy apps via WSL, or maintain Windows-native .NET applications, these enhancements will save time and reduce cognitive overhead.Broader Implications for AI in Development
The continued refinement of Copilot within VS Code signals a larger trend—AI is rapidly becoming a core part of the software development lifecycle. Here’s what it means for the industry:- Standardization of AI Assistants: The expectation of having an AI assistant is becoming universal. Features once seen as luxurious "add-ons" are now integral.
- Efficiency at Scale: Whether you're a freelance developer or part of a corporate team, these tools shave hours off tedious grunt work, enabling focus on high-value tasks.
- Skills Augmentation: Developers don’t need to master every syntax rule anymore; instead, they need to master how to communicate with their AI assistant effectively.
Final Thoughts
Visual Studio Code v1.96 represents a significant step forward in integrating AI into everyday coding. GitHub Copilot, turbocharged by these enhancements, is gearing up to not just support developers—it's redefining what “support” means altogether. For Windows users who want the sharpest tools for the job, VS Code deserves its spot at the top of your software stack.Still not convinced? Download VS Code v1.96, flip open a project, and let Copilot take the reins. You’ll likely wonder how you ever coded without it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments—what features are you most excited about?
Source: Visual Studio Magazine Copilot AI Boosts Abound in New VS Code v1.96
