GitHub Agent HQ
Claude & Codex Join Copilot in a Multi-Agent Coding Platform
GitHub just launched Agent HQ — a unified dashboard inside GitHub, GitHub Mobile, and VS Code that lets Copilot Pro+ and Enterprise users run Claude, OpenAI Codex, and Copilot agents without leaving their repo or PR. With 20M+ Copilot users and 90% Fortune 100 adoption, the "best AI coding tool" debate just became "best AI coding workflow."
The End of Tab-Switching
Ever wonder why developers keep 14 browser tabs open just to switch between AI coding tools? On February 4, 2026, GitHub launched Agent HQ—a unified dashboard where you can assign tasks to Copilot, Claude by Anthropic, or OpenAI Codex without leaving your repository, pull request, or editor.
One Platform. Three AI Agents. Zero Context-Switching.
What Is Agent HQ?
Agent HQ is GitHub's multi-agent orchestration layer. It's available inside GitHub.com, GitHub Mobile, and VS Code, giving Copilot Pro+ and Enterprise users a single pane of glass to run, track, and review AI agent output.
GitHub COO Kyle Daigle put it simply: the goal is having “a single place where developers can use any coding agent that wants to integrate.”
This isn't just adding more models to a chat window. Agent HQ represents a fundamental shift from reactive AI assistants to autonomous AI agents that can independently execute multi-step tasks—creating branches, writing code, running tests, and submitting draft pull requests for your review.
How It Works
Pick Your Agent
When you have a task, choose Copilot, Claude, Codex, or a custom agent. Assign them issues directly from GitHub—or hand the same issue to multiple agents and compare their approaches side by side.
Asynchronous Work
Agents work in the background. They create branches, write code, and submit draft pull requests. You review the output on your own time, just like reviewing a human contributor's PR.
In-Context Collaboration
Leave review comments using @copilot, @claude, or @codex to prompt follow-up changes. Agents respond directly in pull request threads, keeping everything in your existing workflow.
Audit & Control
All agent activity is logged and reviewable. Claude and Codex must be explicitly enabled in your settings, and you control which repos agents can access. Enterprise-grade security built in.
Know Your Agents
GitHub Copilot
The Autocomplete King
Still the reigning champion for inline autocomplete and real-time code suggestions. With deep GitHub integration, it understands your repo context, file structure, and coding patterns better than any external tool.
Best for: Inline completions, quick edits, contextual suggestions
Claude by Anthropic
The Refactoring Architect
Claude excels at large-scale refactors and architectural reasoning across entire codebases. Its extended context window and multi-step planning make it the go-to for tasks that span dozens of files and require deep understanding of code relationships.
Best for: Multi-file refactors, architectural decisions, complex migrations
OpenAI Codex
The Task Runner
Codex is designed for agent-first task completion—give it a well-scoped issue and it executes autonomously. The original model that helped build Copilot is back as a standalone agent you can directly compare against its successor.
Best for: Scoped tasks, bug fixes, feature implementation, rapid prototyping
The Rise of “Vibe Coding”
Agent HQ formalizes what forward-thinking developers have been doing informally: picking specialized agents for specialized tasks instead of forcing one model to do everything. Andrej Karpathy coined the term “vibe coding” in 2025—the idea that a developer's primary role shifts from writing line-by-line code to steering intent and system architecture via AI.
In 2026, “vibe coding” goes further: it's not just about using AI to code—it's about orchestrating multiple AI agents, each with different strengths, into a unified workflow.
The developers who will ship fastest are the ones who learn which agent to deploy where—not the ones who default to a single tool for every task.
Pricing & Access
No Extra Subscription
Claude and Codex access is included with your existing Copilot Pro+ ($39/mo) or Enterprise ($39/user/mo) subscription. No separate Anthropic or OpenAI account required.
Premium Request Model
Each coding agent session consumes one premium request during public preview. This is the same credit system already used for advanced Copilot features.
Opt-In Activation
Claude and Codex must be explicitly enabled in your settings. Toggle them on per-repository for granular control over where agents can operate.
Expanding Access
GitHub plans to extend Claude and Codex to additional subscription tiers. Copilot Business ($19/user/mo) users should expect access as the preview matures.
What the Partners Are Saying
“We're bringing Claude into GitHub to meet developers where they are. With Agent HQ, Claude can commit code and comment on pull requests, enabling teams to iterate and ship faster and with more confidence.”
— Katelyn Lesse, Head of Platform, Anthropic
“Codex helps developers work faster and with greater confidence in their primary workspace.”
— Alexander Embiricos, OpenAI
The Bigger Picture
The Numbers Tell the Story
20M+
Copilot Users
90%
Fortune 100 on GitHub
85%
Devs Using AI Coding Tools
Microsoft-owned GitHub is evolving from a code hosting platform into a multi-agent orchestration platform where competing AI systems from rival vendors operate side by side. That's a bold strategic bet: by becoming the neutral ground where all agents converge, GitHub cements itself as the indispensable developer hub.
And they're not stopping here. GitHub has confirmed that Google, Cognition, and xAI are also working to bring their agents to the platform, along with support for custom user-built agents via an Agent SDK.
The Interesting Catch
There's a fascinating competitive dynamic at play here. Microsoft has been internally testing Claude Code, asking developers to compare it with Copilot. The feedback reportedly flows back into improving Copilot itself.
Still Public Preview
Claude and Codex integration is not GA yet. Expect evolving capabilities and potential changes as the preview matures.
Premium Request Consumption
Each agent session costs a premium request. Power users running multiple agents on the same issue should monitor their usage.
Agents Make Mistakes
GitHub is explicit about this: agent output is designed to be reviewed, compared, and challenged—not blindly accepted. Code review discipline matters more than ever.
Pro Tip
Don't default to a single agent for every task. Match the agent to the job:
Copilot
Inline autocomplete, quick completions, and real-time code suggestions while you type.
Claude
Large-scale refactors, architectural reasoning, and multi-file migrations that need deep codebase understanding.
Codex
Agent-first task completion, scoped bug fixes, and rapid feature implementation from issues.
Key Takeaways
Agent HQ turns GitHub into a multi-agent orchestration platform where Copilot, Claude, and Codex work side by side
Available now in public preview for Copilot Pro+ and Enterprise users at no additional cost
Assign the same issue to multiple agents and compare their draft PRs — the best approach wins
Use @copilot, @claude, or @codex in PR comments for in-context collaboration
Google, Cognition, and xAI agents are coming next, plus a custom Agent SDK
The "best AI coding tool" debate is over — the real question is "best AI coding workflow"
Weekend Geek Quiz
Can you match the agent to its superpower? Claude = multi-file refactors. Codex = agent-first task runner. Copilot = inline autocomplete. Which one do YOU reach for first on a Friday deploy?
Learn more at talk-nerdy-to-me.com/blog