Audience: Enterprise developers with basic Copilot familiarity, ready to move beyond autocomplete. Duration: Full-day workshop (~6.5 hours) or self-paced across multiple sessions. Format: Each module is self-contained — work through them in any order.
By the end of this workshop, developers will be able to:
- Control Copilot's context at the repository and workstation level using instruction files, prompt files, and
AGENTS.md - Choose the right agent mode — Ask, Edit, Agent, Background Agent, or Cloud Agent — for any given task
- Connect Copilot to external systems via MCP servers (Azure DevOps, Azure, GitHub, Playwright)
- Use Copilot in the terminal with the standalone
copilotCLI — an AI agent that can edit code, run git operations, interact with GitHub.com (PRs, issues, workflows), and run parallel subtasks via/fleet - Modernize legacy applications using the .NET Upgrade Assistant and Java Modernization Assistant alongside Copilot
- Generate high-quality tests — xUnit unit tests, integration tests, and Playwright end-to-end tests — using Agent mode
- Write and optimize T-SQL against a realistic enterprise schema using the mssql extension and Copilot Chat
- Select the right AI model for each task based on speed, reasoning depth, cost, and plan availability
- Use Copilot features on GitHub.com — Coding Agent, AI code review on PRs, and Copilot Spaces
mindmap
root((GitHub Copilot<br/>Advanced Workshop))
01 Customization
copilot-instructions.md
instructions.md files
AGENTS.md
Prompt Files
Org-level Instructions
02 VS Code Agents
Ask / Edit / Agent Mode
Background Agent
Cloud Agent
Sub-agents
03 MCP Servers
Azure DevOps MCP
Azure MCP
GitHub Remote MCP
Playwright MCP
04 Copilot CLI
copilot interactive mode
copilot plan mode
/fleet parallel subagents
05 App Modernization
.NET Upgrade Assistant
Java Modernization
Copilot-assisted Refactor
06 QA and Testing
Unit Tests with xUnit
Test Plan Generation
Playwright UI Tests
07 Databases
mssql Extension
SQL with Copilot
Stored Procedures
08 Models and Context
Model Comparison
Premium Multipliers
Context Management
09 Copilot on GitHub
Coding Agent
AI Code Review
Copilot Spaces
10 Hands-on Lab
5 Self-contained Exercises
90 Minutes
| # | Module | What It Covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Customization | copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md, *.instructions.md (file-based, applyTo globs), prompt files, agent skills, org-level instructions, instruction priority resolution |
45 min |
| 02 | VS Code Agents | Ask / Edit / Agent mode comparison, Background Agent (async, returns a PR), Copilot Cloud Agent, sub-agent delegation patterns, agent selection decision guide | 40 min |
| 03 | MCP Servers | Azure DevOps MCP (work items, PRs, pipelines), Azure MCP (resources, storage, Key Vault), GitHub Remote MCP (repos, issues), Playwright MCP (browser automation) — config + prompts for each | 30 min |
| 04 | Copilot CLI | Standalone copilot AI agent in your terminal — interactive sessions, plan mode (Shift+Tab), programmatic mode (copilot -p "..."), local code + GitHub.com tasks (PRs, issues, workflows), /fleet for parallel subagents, customization (MCP servers, custom agents, Copilot Memory) |
30 min |
| 05 | App Modernization | .NET Upgrade Assistant (Framework 4.7 → .NET 8, incremental steps), Java Modernization Assistant (Java 8 → 17/21), hands-on legacy .NET Web API sample | 45 min |
| 06 | QA & Testing | xUnit + Moq unit tests via generate-tests prompt, integration tests with WebApplicationFactory, Playwright end-to-end UI tests, Agent mode test planning |
50 min |
| 07 | Databases | mssql VS Code extension, natural-language → T-SQL with Copilot, real OntarioPermits schema (Regions, Applicants, Permits, StatusHistory), stored procedures, SQL security review |
35 min |
| 08 | Models & Context | All Copilot-supported models (Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, xAI, GitHub), speed vs reasoning quadrant, premium request multipliers, context window management strategies | 25 min |
| 09 | Copilot on GitHub.com | Copilot Coding Agent (issue → PR lifecycle), AI code review on pull requests, Copilot Spaces as knowledge hubs, copilot-review-instructions.md |
35 min |
| 10 | Hands-on Lab | 5 self-contained exercises: Customization, Background Agent, GitHub Remote MCP, .NET Modernization, Test Generation — each 15 min, ~90 min total. BONUS: Permit Dashboard Streamlit app for GitHub Coding Agent demos | 90 min |
Total guided workshop time: ~6.5 hours (excluding breaks)
# 1. Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/your-org/GitHubCopilot-AdvancedRepo.git
cd GitHubCopilot-AdvancedRepo
# 2. Open in VS Code — Copilot instructions load automatically
code .
# 3. Verify VS Code extensions are installed (see Prerequisites below)
# 4. For MCP samples — install Playwright browser (Module 03)
cd 03-mcp-samples && npm install
npx playwright install chromium
# 5. For QA/Testing — install Playwright test dependencies (Module 06)
cd ../06-qa-testing/playwright-samples && npm install && npx playwright install
# 6. For Database module — connect to LocalDB with the mssql extension (Module 07)
# Run: 07-databases/samples/schema.sql then 07-databases/samples/seed-data.sql
# 7. For Hands-on Lab bonus — try the Permit Dashboard Streamlit app (Module 10)
# cd 10-hands-on-lab/permit-dashboard && pip install -r requirements.txt
# streamlit run app.py
# 8. For CLI module — install the standalone Copilot CLI (Module 04)
# See: https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/set-up/install-copilot-cli
copilot --version # verify after installing| Requirement | Version | Install |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code | Latest stable | code.visualstudio.com |
| GitHub Copilot extension | Latest | VS Code Marketplace |
| GitHub Copilot Chat extension | Latest | VS Code Marketplace |
| .NET SDK | 8.0+ | dot.net |
| Node.js | 20 LTS | nodejs.org |
| GitHub CLI | Latest | cli.github.com |
| SQL Server LocalDB | 2019+ | Microsoft Docs |
| mssql extension | Latest | VS Code Marketplace |
| GitHub Copilot plan | Pro / Business / Enterprise | github.com/features/copilot |
New to Copilot? You need at minimum a Copilot Pro plan. Business/Enterprise plans unlock additional models and org-level policy features covered in Modules 08 and 09.
GitHubCopilot-AdvancedRepo/
├── .github/
│ ├── copilot-instructions.md ← Active repo-level instructions (live demo for Module 01)
│ ├── instructions/
│ │ ├── csharp-standards.instructions.md ← File-based instructions (applyTo: **/*.cs)
│ │ └── test-standards.instructions.md ← File-based instructions (applyTo: **/*Tests.cs)
│ └── prompts/ ← Reusable prompt files (live demo for Module 01)
│ ├── code-review.prompt.md
│ ├── generate-tests.prompt.md
│ ├── explain-legacy.prompt.md
│ ├── sql-query.prompt.md
│ └── modernize-dotnet.prompt.md
├── AGENTS.md ← Multi-agent compatible always-on instructions (root level)
├── CONTRIBUTING.md
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── LICENSE
├── generate-presentation.js ← Generates the workshop PPTX (Node.js + pptxgenjs)
├── GitHub-Copilot-Advanced-Workshop.pptx ← Pre-built workshop slide deck (GitHub dark theme)
├── 01-customization/ ← Instruction files, prompt files, agent skills, org instructions
├── 02-vscode-agents/ ← Background Agent, cloud agents, sub-agents, selection guide
├── 03-mcp-samples/ ← Azure DevOps, Azure, GitHub Remote, Playwright MCP configs
│ ├── azure-devops-mcp/
│ ├── azure-mcp/
│ ├── github-remote-mcp/
│ └── playwright-mcp/
├── 04-copilot-cli/ ← CLI features, Fleet, annotated demos
├── 05-app-modernization/ ← .NET 4.7 sample, Java 8 sample, migration docs
├── 06-qa-testing/ ← xUnit tests, Playwright samples, test plan docs
├── 07-databases/ ← mssql config, OntarioPermits schema + seed data, SQL docs
├── 08-models-context/ ← Model reference table, multipliers, context management
├── 09-copilot-on-github/ ← Coding Agent docs, code review setup, Spaces guide
└── 10-hands-on-lab/ ← 5 exercises + prerequisites checklist
├── exercises/ ← 5 self-contained exercise files
├── docs/
└── permit-dashboard/ ← Streamlit demo app for GitHub Coding Agent practice
├── app.py ← Full-featured dashboard with 5 pages
├── requirements.txt
├── README.md
└── screenshots/ ← Home, Analytics, Tracker, Trends, About
The
.github/folder is a live demo. The instruction files and prompt files there are actively applied to this repo whenever you open it in VS Code with GitHub Copilot. They are the hands-on demonstration for Module 01.
- Before the workshop: Ensure all attendees have the prerequisites installed. Use
10-hands-on-lab/docs/prerequisites.mdas the pre-workshop checklist. - Modules 01–03 (morning): Customization → Agents → MCP Servers — these build the foundation.
- Modules 04–07 (afternoon, first half): CLI → Modernization → Testing → Databases — practical, hands-on.
- Modules 08–09 (afternoon, second half): Models & Context → GitHub.com features — strategic knowledge.
- Module 10 (closing 90 min): Run the hands-on lab exercises as reinforcement. Attendees work independently; facilitator circulates.
- Debrief: Use the workshop PPTX (
GitHub-Copilot-Advanced-Workshop.pptx) for framing, transitions, and wrap-up slides.
Start with Module 01 — Customization. The concepts there (instruction files, context control) underpin everything else. Then work through modules in any order — each README.md is designed to stand alone.
Suggested learning paths:
| Goal | Modules |
|---|---|
| Focus on AI-assisted workflows | 01 → 02 → 09 |
| Connect Copilot to your toolchain | 01 → 03 → 04 |
| Improve code quality and testing | 01 → 06 → 07 |
| Modernize a legacy .NET app | 01 → 05 → 06 → 10 |
| Understand model costs/selection | 08 → 02 → 09 |
Jump directly to any module. Each README.md opens with a clear "What you'll learn" statement. The topics most likely to have new content for experienced users:
- Module 03 — MCP server configurations (new in 2025, evolving fast)
- Module 04 — Copilot CLI +
/fleet(standalonecopilotcommand with parallel subagents) - Module 08 — Current model landscape and premium multiplier rates
- Module 09 — Copilot Coding Agent end-to-end lifecycle
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
GitHub-Copilot-Advanced-Workshop.pptx |
Full slide deck — GitHub dark theme, 27 slides covering all 10 modules. Open in PowerPoint. Logo placeholder boxes are provided for you to drop in your org's logo. |
generate-presentation.js |
Node.js script that regenerates the PPTX from source. Run node generate-presentation.js after making changes. Requires npm install pptxgenjs in the repo root. |
.github/prompts/ |
5 reusable prompt files — usable immediately in VS Code Chat (open via @workspace /prompt). |
10-hands-on-lab/exercises/ |
5 self-contained markdown exercise files for the lab session. |
10-hands-on-lab/permit-dashboard/ |
NEW: Modern Streamlit demo app perfect for GitHub Coding Agent practice. 5-page dashboard with interactive analytics, permit tracker, and trends. Includes setup guide, 8+ enhancement prompts, and full screenshots. |
See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines on adding new content, fixing samples, or updating model data.
Pull requests are welcome. Please include a description of what changed and update CHANGELOG.md.
MIT © 2026 — Enterprise GitHub Copilot Advanced Workshop.
See CHANGELOG.md for version history.
