via GitHub AI Blog
Stacked Sessions and Pull Requests in the GitHub Copilot App
In 2026, the GitHub Copilot app introduces powerful new features designed to streamline how developers manage their work: stacked sessions and pull requests. These tools enhance productivity by allowing developers to work on multiple, interdependent changes in a structured way, directly within the Copilot interface.
## Stacked Sessions for Complex Workflows
Stacked sessions enable developers to break down a large feature into smaller, logical units of work, each managed as a separate session. This approach, common in advanced version control workflows, is now integrated into Copilot. For example, you can start a session for a foundational API change, then stack a second session for the UI updates that depend on it. Copilot tracks the dependencies and ensures consistency across the stack.
In 2026, stacked sessions are especially useful for teams practicing continuous integration and delivery. They reduce merge conflicts and make code reviews more manageable, as each session can be reviewed independently. Copilot’s AI provides context-aware suggestions across sessions, ensuring that changes remain coherent.
## Pull Requests Inside Copilot
Direct pull request creation and management from within the Copilot app is another key update. You can now create a PR without leaving your coding environment. Copilot automatically generates a PR description based on your session history, summarizing changes and their rationale. It also suggests reviewers and labels, leveraging your team’s typical workflows.
This tight integration reduces context switching. For instance, after finishing a stacked session, you can trigger a PR directly. Copilot checks for potential issues, such as merge conflicts or test failures, and flags them before you submit. In 2026, this feature is further enhanced with AI-driven PR summaries that highlight the most critical changes.
## Getting Started
To use these features, ensure you have the latest GitHub Copilot app update (version 2.6 or later). Open the Copilot panel, select "New Session," and choose "Stack" to begin chaining sessions. For pull requests, use the "Create PR" button after finalizing your changes. Copilot will guide you through the process, from drafting the description to submitting the review request.
These additions make Copilot a more integral part of the development lifecycle, helping teams ship faster with fewer errors. As AI-assisted development continues to evolve, stacked sessions and in-app PRs are set to become standard tools for modern developers.