Last updated 07-30-2026
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GitHub Next
GitHub Next Copilot Voice was a voice-first coding experiment that let developers talk to GitHub Copilot inside Visual Studio Code. You spoke natural language to generate or edit code, jump to methods, run programs, toggle IDE commands, and ask for line-by-line explanations. The project page describes it as a completed research prototype formerly called Hey, GitHub.
Typing-first copilot extensions assume a keyboard for every navigation step. Copilot Voice used Microsoft embedded speech with a Copilot wake word so you could control the editor hands-free, which targeted accessibility and speed for developers who struggle with typing-heavy workflows. The trade-off was experimental scope: it required Java, competed with standard Copilot completions, and stayed in a signup-only technical preview.
GitHub concluded the Copilot Voice preview on April 3, 2024 and moved learnings into the generally available VS Code Speech extension. The GitHub Next project page now points developers there for ongoing voice interaction in VS Code rather than this standalone preview.
Generate and edit code snippets from spoken natural language prompts
Navigate the codebase and run programs with voice commands
Control Visual Studio Code actions such as toggling zen mode
Summarize selected code lines on request
Uses Microsoft embedded speech with Copilot as the wake word
Formerly shipped as the Hey, GitHub voice experiment
Technical preview concluded April 3, 2024 with migration to VS Code Speech
Hands-free coding workflow for developers who prefer speech over typing.
Combined code generation, navigation, and IDE commands in one voice layer.
Learnings fed into the shipping VS Code Speech extension.
Published openly as a GitHub Next completed research project.
Technical preview ended in April 2024 and is no longer actively distributed.
Required Java runtime and conflicted with standard Copilot inline completions.
Signup-limited availability during the experiment rather than general release.
What was GitHub Next Copilot Voice?
GitHub Next Copilot Voice was a research prototype that added voice control to GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code. Copilot Voice let developers speak commands to write code, navigate files, run programs, and ask for explanations without typing.
Is Copilot Voice still available?
No. GitHub concluded the Copilot Voice technical preview on April 3, 2024. The GitHub Next project page directs developers to the generally available VS Code Speech extension for voice interaction going forward.
What wake word did Copilot Voice use?
Copilot Voice used Copilot as the wake word to start and stop speech recognition, similar to other voice assistants. The project was formerly known as Hey, GitHub before the wake word and branding changed.
What could you do with voice in Copilot Voice?
GitHub Next Copilot Voice supported writing and editing code from spoken intent, navigating to methods, running programs, executing VS Code commands, and summarizing code blocks. GitHub Next relied on Microsoft embedded speech technology inside the extension.
Did Copilot Voice require Java?
Yes. GitHub Next Copilot Voice documentation notes that Microsoft embedded speech uses the Java SDK, so a Java 11 or newer runtime was required on the developer machine to run the voice stack.
Where should developers use voice coding now?
GitHub Next recommends the VS Code Speech extension, which absorbed feedback from the Copilot Voice preview. VS Code Speech is generally available in the Visual Studio Code marketplace for ongoing voice-enabled development.