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intro: 'Find out how {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can store details it has learned about a codebase and use that knowledge for future work in a repository.'
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intro: 'Find out how {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can store repository-level facts and user-level preferences, and use that knowledge in future work.'
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product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-memory %}<br><a href="https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_product=copilot&ref_type=engagement&ref_style=button&utm_source=docs-web-copilot-memory-concept&utm_medium=docs&utm_campaign=dec25postuniverse" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary mt-3 mr-3 no-underline"><span>Sign up for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}</span> {% octicon "link-external" height:16 %}</a>'
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versions:
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feature: copilot
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---
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> [!NOTE]
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> This feature is currently in {% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %} and is subject to change.
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> * This feature is currently in {% data variables.release-phases.public_preview %} and is subject to change.
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> * User-level preferences are currently only available for users on a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %} plan.
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## Introduction
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As a developer, when you start working on an existing codebase—perhaps as a new member of the development team—you can read the README for the repository, the coding conventions documentation, and other information to help you understand the repository and how you should work when updating or adding code. This will help you submit good quality pull requests. However, the quality of work you're able to deliver will steadily improve as you work on the codebase and learn more about it. In the same way, by allowing {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to build its own understanding of your repository, you can enable it to become increasingly effective over time.
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As a developer joining an existing codebase, you typically read the repository's README, coding conventions, and other documentation to understand how the project works and how to contribute. This helps you submit good quality pull requests from the start. Even so, the quality of your work steadily improves as you spend more time in the codebase and learn its nuances. In the same way, allowing {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to build its own understanding of your repository enables it to become increasingly effective over time.
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Copilot can develop a persistent understanding of a repository by storing "memories."
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Copilot can use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} to store important facts about a repository. For users on a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %} plan, it can also persist personal preferences.
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Memories are tightly scoped pieces of information about a repository, that are deduced by Copilot as it works on the repository. Memories are:
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{% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} stores:
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* Repository-specific.
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* Only created in response to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} activity initiated by users who have had {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} enabled.
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***Repository-level facts**
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* Facts about a repository, such as coding conventions, architectural decisions, build commands, and project-specific rules.
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* Available to all users with access to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} for that repository.
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***User-level preferences**
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* Implied or stated personal preferences about how a user wants to interact with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}.
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* Available only to that user across {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} interactions in all repositories.
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* Currently only available for users on a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %} plan.
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Memories created by one part of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can be used by another part of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. So, for example, if {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} discovers how your repository handles database connections, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} can later apply that knowledge to spot inconsistent patterns in a pull request it is reviewing. Similarly, if {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} learns about settings that must stay synchronized in two separate files, then {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} will know that if it alters the settings in one of those files it must update the other file accordingly.
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We typically refer to these repository-level facts and user-level preferences as "memories," and they are only created in response to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} activity initiated by users who have {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} enabled.
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Facts and preferences captured by one {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} feature can be used by another. For example, if {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} discovers how your repository handles database connections, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} can later apply that knowledge to spot inconsistent patterns in a pull request. Similarly, if {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} learns that certain settings must stay synchronized across two files, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} will know to update both files when changing one.
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## Benefits of using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %}
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AI that is stateless and doesn't retain an understanding of a codebase between separate human/AI interactions, requires you either to repeatedly explain coding conventions and important details about specific code in your prompts, or to create detailed custom instructions files, which you must then maintain.
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Stateless AI doesn't retain an understanding of a codebase between interactions. This forces you to either repeatedly explain coding conventions and code-specific details in your prompts, or maintain detailed custom instructions files.
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{% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %}:
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* Reduces the burden of repeatedly providing the same details in your prompts.
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* Reduces the need for regular, manual maintenance of custom instruction files.
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By building and maintaining a persistent, repository-level memory, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} develops its own knowledge of your codebase, adapts to your coding requirements, and increases the value it can deliver over time.
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By capturing and applying repository-level facts and user-level preferences, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} builds its own knowledge of your codebases and personal workflow, adapts to your coding requirements, and delivers more value over time.
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## Where is {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} used?
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Currently {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is used by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} when these features are working on pull requests on the {% data variables.product.github %} website, and by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}. Memories are only created and used by {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} when {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} has been enabled for the user initiating the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} operation.
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{% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is currently used by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %}, and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}. A few feature-specific limits apply:
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Agentic memory will be extended to other parts of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, and for personal and organizational scopes, in future releases.
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* {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} only applies stored facts and preferences for the user who initiated the operation.
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* {% data variables.copilot.copilot_code-review_short %} uses repository-level facts only. User-level preferences are not applied during code review.
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## How memories are stored, retained and used
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## How {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} stores, retains, and uses information
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Each memory that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} generates is stored with citations. These are references to specific code locations that support the memory. When {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} finds a memory that relates to the work it is doing, it checks the citations against the current codebase to validate that the information is still accurate and is relevant to the current branch. The memory is only used if it is successfully validated.
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**Repository-level facts** are stored with citations pointing to the code that supports them. When {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} finds a fact relevant to its current work, it checks those citations against the current branch to confirm the information is still accurate. Only validated facts are used.
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To avoid stale memories being retained, resulting in outdated information adversely affecting {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s decision making, memories are automatically deleted after 28 days.
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{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} only creates repository-level facts in response to actions by users with write access to the repository who have {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} enabled. Once stored, those facts are available to any user who has access to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} in that repository, but those facts can only be used in operations on the same repository. This keeps what {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} learns about a repository scoped to that repository, preserving privacy and security.
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If a memory is validated and used by {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, then a new memory with the same details may be stored, which increases the longevity of that memory.
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**User-level preferences** are stored with citations that may include direct user quotes. When {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} finds a preference relevant to its current work, it uses its best judgment to confirm the preference still applies.
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Memories can be created from code in pull requests that were closed without being merged. However, the validation mechanism ensures that such memories will not affect {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s behavior if there is no substantiating evidence in the current codebase.
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{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} only creates user-level preferences in response to interactions initiated by a specific user, and those preferences are only available in that same user's later interactions. They capture an individual's coding style and workflow patterns, and stay tied to the user who created them.
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{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} only creates memories in a repository in response to actions taken within that repository by people who have write permission for the repository, and for whom {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} has been enabled. Memories are repository scoped, not user scoped, so all memories stored for a repository are available for use in {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} operations initiated by any user who has access to {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} for that repository. The memories stored for a repository can only be used in {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} operations on that same repository. In this way, what {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} learns about a repository stays within that repository, ensuring privacy and security.
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To prevent stale information from lingering, any stored fact or preference that goes unused is automatically deleted after 28 days. The 28-day timer may reset whenever {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} successfully validates and uses an entry.
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Facts can also be captured from pull requests that were closed without merging. In those cases, the validation step ensures that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}'s behavior is unaffected unless the current codebase still substantiates the information.
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If you are the owner of a repository where {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is being used, you can review and manually delete the memories for that repository. See[AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/copilot-memory).
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Repository owners can review and manually delete the repository-level facts stored for their repository. Users with access to user-level {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} can do the same for their own preferences. For more information, see[AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/copilot-memory).
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## About enabling {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %}
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The ability to use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is granted to users, rather than being enabled for repositories. After {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} has been enabled for a user, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will be able to use agentic memory in any repository in which that person uses {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}.
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{% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is enabled per user, not per repository. Once a user has it enabled, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} can use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} in any repository where that user works with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}.
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For users who have an individual {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscription to a {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %} plan, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is enabled by default. These users can disable {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} in their personal {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} settings on {% data variables.product.github %}.
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For individual {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} and {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %} subscribers, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is on by default and can be disabled in personal {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} settings on {% data variables.product.github %}.
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For enterprise and organization-managed {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscriptions, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is turned off by default and can be enabled in the enterprise or organization settings. When enabled at the enterprise or organization level, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} will be available to all organization members who receive a {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscription from that organization.
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For enterprise and organization-managed subscriptions, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_memory %} is off by default. An enterprise or organization admin can enable it in their settings, which makes it available to all members who receive a {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscription through that organization.
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For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/copilot-memory).
Copy file name to clipboardExpand all lines: content/copilot/how-tos/manage-and-track-spending/prepare-for-your-move-to-usage-based-billing.md
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feature: copilot
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product: '{% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_short %} or {% data variables.copilot.copilot_pro_plus_short %}'
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contentType: how-tos
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category:
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category:
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- Configure Copilot
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---
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***Understand what consumes credits**. {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %}, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cloud_agent %}, {% data variables.copilot.copilot_spaces %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_spark_short %}, and third-party coding agents consume {% data variables.product.prodname_ai_credits_short %}. Code completions and {% data variables.copilot.next_edit_suggestions %} remain unlimited for all paid plans.
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***Consider your model usage**. Frontier models consume more credits per interaction than lightweight models. Switching to a lighter model for routine tasks can stretch your included usage further.
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<!-- expires 2026-09-01 -->
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## Update your IDE, client, and extension
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For the best experience with usage-based billing, update your IDE, client, and {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extension to at least the versions listed below.
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> [!NOTE]
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> Older versions will continue to work, but may display incorrect model pricing, inaccurate usage information, or outdated billing terminology. Usage alert notifications may also not appear as expected.
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| IDE, client, or extension | Minimum version |
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| --- | --- |
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| {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} | 1.120 |
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| {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2022 (17.x) | 17.14.33 |
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| {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2025 (18.x) | 18.6.0 |
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| SQL Server Management Studio | 22.6 |
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| JetBrains IDEs (plugin) | 1.9.1 |
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| Eclipse (plugin) | 0.18.0 |
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| Xcode (extension) | 0.50.0 |
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| {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %} | 1.0.48 |
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We recommend keeping your IDE, client, and {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extensions on the latest available stable version. For information on configuring automatic updates, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/configure-personal-settings/configure-in-ide). To update {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli_short %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/how-tos/copilot-cli/set-up-copilot-cli/install-copilot-cli).
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