Understanding and Using GitHub Copilot Chat's Ask/Edit/Agent Modes at the Code Level
Published:Dec 25, 2025 15:17
•1 min read
•Zenn AI
Analysis
This article from Zenn AI delves into the nuances of GitHub Copilot Chat's three modes: Ask, Edit, and Agent. It highlights a common, simplified understanding of each mode (Ask for questions, Edit for file editing, and Agent for complex tasks). The author suggests that while this basic understanding is often sufficient, it can lead to confusion regarding the quality of Ask mode responses or the differences between Edit and Agent mode edits. The article likely aims to provide a deeper, code-level understanding to help users leverage each mode more effectively and troubleshoot issues. It promises to clarify the distinctions and improve the user experience with GitHub Copilot Chat.
Key Takeaways
- •GitHub Copilot Chat has three distinct modes: Ask, Edit, and Agent.
- •Each mode has different capabilities and permissions.
- •A deeper understanding of each mode can improve user experience and effectiveness.
Reference
“Ask: Answers questions. Read-only. Edit: Edits files. Has file operation permissions (Read/Write). Agent: A versatile tool that autonomously handles complex tasks.”