GitHub just made project management significantly smarter.
Copilot can now create GitHub issues with code snippets in public preview, automatically including relevant code context when generating bug reports, feature requests, and project tasks.
This isn’t just about saving time — it’s about AI that understands the connection between code and project management.
What this feature does#
Instead of creating empty issues that require manual context-gathering, Copilot now:
📝 Generates complete issue descriptions#
Creates detailed issue descriptions based on your request, with proper formatting, clear objectives, and actionable tasks.
🔗 Includes relevant code snippets#
Automatically identifies and includes the specific code sections related to the issue, providing immediate context for anyone reviewing the task.
🎯 Contextual awareness#
Understands which parts of your codebase are relevant to the issue being created, eliminating the manual work of finding and copying code references.
🏷️ Smart categorization#
Suggests appropriate labels, assignees, and project associations based on the code context and issue content.
How it works in practice#
The workflow is intuitive:
1. Identify the need#
Whether you’re looking at code and spot a bug, need a feature improvement, or want to document technical debt.
2. Ask Copilot to create an issue#
“Create an issue for refactoring the authentication module with better error handling” — Copilot understands both the request and the relevant code.
3. AI generates comprehensive issues#
Get complete issues with:
- Clear descriptions
- Relevant code snippets
- Proper formatting
- Actionable tasks
4. Review and publish#
Fine-tune the generated content if needed, then create the issue with full context intact.
Why this matters#
Before: Creating detailed issues meant switching between code editor and GitHub, manually copying code snippets, and writing context from scratch.
After: AI handles the grunt work of issue creation while preserving all the contextual information that makes issues actually useful.
For developers#
- Capture technical debt immediately without losing momentum
- Create bug reports with exact code references
- Document feature requests with implementation context
For project managers#
- Issues arrive with complete technical context
- Better understanding of scope and complexity
- Reduced back-and-forth asking for clarification
For teams#
- Consistent issue quality across all team members
- Better knowledge sharing through code-aware documentation
- Faster issue triage with immediate context
The bigger workflow impact#
This feature connects code understanding with project management:
Issue quality improvement#
No more vague “fix the login bug” issues. Get specific code references, clear reproduction steps, and actionable tasks.
Knowledge preservation#
Important context gets captured automatically instead of living only in developer heads or getting lost in Slack threads.
Reduced context switching#
Stay in your coding flow while still maintaining proper project documentation and task tracking.
What this signals#
Copilot creating issues with code snippets represents AI understanding the full development lifecycle:
- Not just helping with code, but with project organization
- Connecting implementation details with project planning
- Automating the administrative overhead of development
We’re moving toward AI project teammates that handle the coordination work developers often neglect.
Getting started#
The feature is currently in public preview for GitHub Copilot users. Look for issue creation options in your Copilot interface when you’re working with specific code sections.
Start with simple use cases: documenting bugs you encounter, capturing refactoring opportunities, or creating feature requests based on code you’re currently viewing.
The future of AI project management#
This is just the beginning. If AI can create issues with code context, what’s next?
- Automatic pull request creation for identified technical debt
- AI-generated project roadmaps based on codebase analysis
- Smart issue prioritization using code complexity metrics
- Automated sprint planning with AI understanding of development capacity
Your AI assistant just became your project coordinator. Get ready for automated project management that actually understands your code.
Try it now: The feature is available in public preview for GitHub Copilot users. Check your Copilot interface for issue creation options when working with code.