VS Code version 1.142 released

Visual Studio Code version 1.142 has been released, introducing shared canvases for agent workflows, allowing users to move conversations without losing context. This update also enhances the Markdown editor and provides administrators with more control over agent permissions.

Canvas feature for collaboration

The Canvas feature (preview) enables collaboration with agents beyond chat through visual and interactive canvases. This version allows moving discussions to continue a conversation in another folder or a new Git tree without losing the conversation history.

Markdown editor improvements

Improvements to the Markdown editor enable more efficient work on Markdown files through features such as image pasting, renaming links to files, or breadcrumb navigation. These changes make editing Markdown documents more intuitive and user-friendly.

VS Code overview

Visual Studio Code (commonly called VS Code) is an integrated development environment developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux, macOS, and web browsers. It offers features such as debugging, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, code snippets, code refactoring, and integrated version control with Git.

Canvas feature details

The Canvas feature (preview) allows collaboration with agents beyond chat through visual and interactive canvases. This version allows moving discussions to continue a conversation in another folder or a new Git tree without losing the conversation history.

Enterprise management enhancements

For enterprise management, this version allows applying sandboxing and permission policies for agents while controlling the permission modes that developers can use. This ensures greater security and control over agent interactions within an organization.

Template selector redesign

The template selector has been redesigned, allowing quick switching between Copilot-provided models and BYOK-contributed models, and managing effort levels and context windows more intuitively. This helps users tailor their interactions with the AI agent more effectively.

Canvas creation and installation

To get started with canvases, users can either create a canvas extension by typing /create-canvas in the chat input area or install a chat plugin that includes a canvas extension via the GitHub Copilot application. Once installed, canvases can be accessed through the Agents window.

Moving discussions between folders

Previously, if you started exploring a task in a folder and then wanted to implement it in a Git worktree or continue in another repository, you had to start a new discussion and recreate the context. Now, the "Agents" window allows moving ongoing discussions to another folder or a new Git worktree while keeping the conversation history intact.

Markdown editor enhancements

In read-only mode, the rendering of Markdown code remains unchanged. Paste images directly into the Markdown editor to add screenshots easily. Rename file links using the "Rename symbol" function (F2) and see changes reflected throughout the document.

Outline and breadcrumb navigation

The Markdown editor integrates with the "Outline" view and breadcrumb, making it easier to inspect the structure of titles and access sections quickly. This improves navigation and document management in Markdown files.

Copy code blocks

Code blocks in the Markdown editor display a "Copy" button when hovered over, allowing users to easily copy multi-line code fragments without altering the content. This feature is similar to the Markdown preview functionality.

Enterprise-level managed settings

Enterprise-level managed settings allow administrators to control agent permissions and sandboxing. When an organization configures a non-empty permission object or sets sandbox.enabled to true, VS Code now requires the Copilot harness in Agent Host for full discussion sessions.

Managed discussion migration

Opening an existing, non-archived local chat automatically transfers it to Copilot, preserving the history and unsent drafts, including attachments. Nothing is sent automatically. The new chat uses its usual model and default permission settings in accordance with the organization's current policy.

Archiving original chats

VS Code archives the original chat only after the new chat has successfully opened. If you exit the application while the transfer is in progress, the original remains unchanged and the destination that is not opened is deleted.

Limitations on certain features

As long as these policies apply, Claude, Codex, and terminal chat are not available. The editor-integrated chat remains available for limited reading and editing tasks. An empty permission object or inherited policy is not sufficient on its own to trigger this migration.

Temporary local harness retention

Administrators who need more time to transition to Copilot Agent Host can set specific configurations to temporarily retain the local harness. This provides a smoother transition for organizations adapting to new policies.