diff --git a/docs/ide/copilot-agent-mode.md b/docs/ide/copilot-agent-mode.md index ea99e9acbfc..f031e64ec98 100644 --- a/docs/ide/copilot-agent-mode.md +++ b/docs/ide/copilot-agent-mode.md @@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ ms.author: rosemalcolm ms.subservice: ai-tools ms.collection: ce-skilling-ai-copilot -ms.custom: awp-ai +ms.custom: awp-ai, doc-kit-assisted --- # Get started with GitHub Copilot agent mode @@ -151,6 +151,13 @@ Additional tools that you add by running MCP servers aren't automatically enable :::moniker range="visualstudio" +> [!NOTE] +> When you use a custom agent from `.github/agents/*.agent.md`, some tool groups might start disabled or reset between turns. For workaround steps, see [Custom agent tool groups start disabled or reset between turns](visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md#custom-agent-tool-groups-start-disabled-or-reset-between-turns). + +:::moniker-end + +:::moniker range="visualstudio" + ### find_symbol tool The **find_symbol** tool brings language-aware symbol navigation directly to agent mode. When enabled, Copilot automatically uses **find_symbol** to: diff --git a/docs/ide/copilot-specialized-agents.md b/docs/ide/copilot-specialized-agents.md index d8c81cbf1b7..1e8363a94ba 100644 --- a/docs/ide/copilot-specialized-agents.md +++ b/docs/ide/copilot-specialized-agents.md @@ -206,6 +206,13 @@ Flag violations clearly and suggest fixes inline. | `model` | No | AI model to use. If you don't specify this property, the model selected in the model picker is used. | | `tools` | No | Array of tool names the agent can use. If you don't specify this property, all available tools are enabled. | +:::moniker range="visualstudio" + +> [!NOTE] +> For some custom agents, tool groups appear disabled after you select the agent, even when you don't specify the `tools` property. In some sessions, tool selections reset after each follow-up message in the same chat thread. If this condition occurs, manually re-enable required tools in the **Tools** panel. For steps and reporting guidance, see [Custom agent tool groups start disabled or reset between turns](visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md#custom-agent-tool-groups-start-disabled-or-reset-between-turns). + +:::moniker-end + ### Specify tools Tools extend what your custom agent can do. You can specify which tools the agent should use in the `tools` array. diff --git a/docs/ide/mcp-servers.md b/docs/ide/mcp-servers.md index ee213c14183..fb271c55492 100644 --- a/docs/ide/mcp-servers.md +++ b/docs/ide/mcp-servers.md @@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ author: RoseHJM ms.author: rosemalcolm ms.subservice: ai-tools ms.collection: ce-skilling-ai-copilot -ms.custom: awp-ai +ms.custom: awp-ai, doc-kit-assisted ai-usage: ai-assisted --- @@ -202,15 +202,18 @@ As soon as Visual Studio discovers or adds a server: - If you remove a server, Visual Studio immediately stops its process and withdraws all its tools from the UI. - If you edit a server definition, Visual Studio terminates and restarts it, and then re-queries. +> [!NOTE] +> When you select some custom agents, tool group state can reset unexpectedly even when agent and MCP configuration files didn't change. If tool groups start disabled or reset between turns, see [Custom agent tool groups start disabled or reset between turns](visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md#custom-agent-tool-groups-start-disabled-or-reset-between-turns). + :::moniker range="visualstudio" ## MCP server trust dialog +Visual Studio asks you to trust an MCP server again when the server changes since the last time you used it. This prompt helps you decide whether to run the updated server. + > [!NOTE] > MCP server trust is available in Visual Studio 2026 version 18.7 and later. -Visual Studio asks you to trust an MCP server again when the server has changed since the last time you used it. This prompt helps you decide whether to run the updated server. - ### What to do when you're prompted When the trust dialog appears, review the change and choose the action that matches your intent: diff --git a/docs/ide/visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md b/docs/ide/visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md index dda23414916..2f202a4e14c 100644 --- a/docs/ide/visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md +++ b/docs/ide/visual-studio-github-copilot-troubleshoot.md @@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ ms.author: rosemalcolm ms.subservice: ai-tools ms.collection: ce-skilling-ai-copilot -ms.custom: ai-learning-hub +ms.custom: ai-learning-hub, doc-kit-assisted --- # Troubleshoot GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio @@ -63,6 +63,35 @@ Occasionally, you may need to refresh your credentials due to expected timeouts. > [!NOTE] > **Known issue:** If you don’t see the option to refresh your credentials for the GitHub account in the **All Accounts** window, you can resolve this by removing and re-adding your GitHub account. For more information, refer to the [Dev Community ticket](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/Copilot-badge-refresh-credentials-not-wo/10667230?q=refresh+credentials) related to this issue. +:::moniker range="visualstudio" + +## Custom agent tool groups start disabled or reset between turns + +Some users reported this behavior in Visual Studio 2026 version 18.6.0 and 18.6.1 when using custom agents from `.github/agents/*.agent.md`, including minimal agent files that define only `name` and `description`. + +Possible symptoms include: + +- Tool groups such as **C++ Context**, or **MCP server tools** appear disabled after selecting a custom agent. +- Tool selections reset after each follow-up message in the same chat thread. +- In severe cases, Copilot falls back to file and shell methods because built-in and MCP selections are cleared. + +If the behavior occurs, use the following workaround: + +1. Open the **Tools** panel in Copilot Chat and re-enable the required tool groups after selecting your custom agent. +1. If selections reset after each follow-up, re-enable the required groups for each message turn. +1. Confirm MCP integration is enabled in **Tools** > **Options** > **GitHub** > **Copilot**, and verify your MCP server configuration in `.vs/mcp.json` or `.mcp.json`. + +No confirmed product fix is available at this time. + +For diagnostics and escalation: + +1. Open the **Output** window and select **GitHub Copilot**. +1. Capture logs for agent selection and at least one follow-up message. +1. Include your Visual Studio version, Copilot Chat extension version, and whether logs show entries such as `MCP sources changed` or auth/session resets. +1. [Report a problem](how-to-report-a-problem-with-visual-studio.md) from Visual Studio and share the same details in [Visual Studio Developer Community](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/VisualStudio). + +:::moniker-end + ## Copilot is disabled Your administrator may have disabled GitHub Copilot for individual or any Copilot license. With Visual Studio version 17.10, your [admin can disable Copilot](visual-studio-github-copilot-admin.md#disable-copilot-skus). @@ -83,10 +112,10 @@ Your administrator may have disabled GitHub Copilot for individual or any Copilo ## Send feedback - - [Report a problem](how-to-report-a-problem-with-visual-studio.md) to us from either the Visual Studio IDE or the installer. The built-in Feedback Tool allows you to easily add diagnostic information that helps the Visual Studio teams diagnose and fix the issues. - - Suggest a feature, track product issues, and find answers in the [Visual Studio Developer Community](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/VisualStudio). +- [Report a problem](how-to-report-a-problem-with-visual-studio.md) to us from either the Visual Studio IDE or the installer. The built-in Feedback Tool makes it easy to add diagnostic information that helps the Visual Studio teams diagnose and fix the problems. +- Suggest a feature, track product issues, and find answers in the [Visual Studio Developer Community](https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/VisualStudio). - ## Related content +## Related content - - [Troubleshooting network errors for GitHub Copilot](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/troubleshooting-github-copilot/troubleshooting-network-errors-for-github-copilot) - - [Troubleshooting firewall settings for GitHub Copilot](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/troubleshooting-github-copilot/troubleshooting-firewall-settings-for-github-copilot) \ No newline at end of file +- [Troubleshooting network errors for GitHub Copilot](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/troubleshooting-github-copilot/troubleshooting-network-errors-for-github-copilot) +- [Troubleshooting firewall settings for GitHub Copilot](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/troubleshooting-github-copilot/troubleshooting-firewall-settings-for-github-copilot)