How Microsoft is Transforming Software Development with AI—One Commit at a Time

Microsoft reveals how the .NET MAUI team is leveraging GitHub Copilot as a structured collaborator, contributing real code and tests to the repo. The move signals a shift toward AI-assisted DevOps in large-scale engineering teams.

Here's a step-by-step look at how they set it up:

• Step 1: Add Copilot Instructions

  Start by including a copilot-instructions.md file to give GitHub Copilot essential context and guidance. Place it in the .github folder at the root of your repository to ensure Copilot understands your project’s structure and goals.

• Step 2: Understand Firewall Warnings

  After Copilot completes an issue, you might see a firewall warning on the pull request. This is a key security feature that helps control outbound access from the Copilot Agent.

• Step 3: Allow Trusted Domains

  To let Copilot make necessary web requests, go to Settings > Environment > Copilot in your GitHub repository. Scroll to the bottom to the Environment Variables section, and add a variable named copilot_agent_firewall_allow_list with a comma-separated list of trusted domains.

• Step 4: Run Copilot in GitHub Actions

  Copilot runs in GitHub Actions, giving you full control over how and where it operates. You can also let Copilot auto-generate a copilot-setup.yml by filing an issue.

• Step 5: (Optional) Use MCP Servers

  Set up Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to enhance Copilot’s capabilities with specialized tools and domain context. Configure this under Settings > Copilot > Coding Agent > MCP Configuration.