Introduction
On October 22, 2026, GitHub announced an important update to its Copilot usage metrics API. This update enhances the visibility of customizations such as skills, agents, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers created by organizations, allowing administrators to better track and analyze their internal tool usage.
What's New
- Named Entries: Usage reports at the enterprise and organization levels now show the configured names of customer-defined items like skills, custom agents, MCP servers, slash commands, and plugins instead of grouping them under generic labels like "other" or "custom."
- Expanded Entries: Each category in the usage metrics can now list up to 25 entries per record, up from the previous limit of five, providing a more comprehensive view of customizations.
- Unchanged Counts: Interaction counts and distinct use counts continue to be calculated as before, ensuring consistency in metrics.
Technical Explanation
The updated metrics cover data from various Copilot interfaces including the Copilot CLI (both interactive sessions and prompt mode), the GitHub Copilot app, Agent Client Protocol (ACP) integrations such as JetBrains, and the Copilot SDK. To report names accurately, clients must be updated to Copilot CLI version 1.0.97 or later, and Copilot SDK version 1.0.21 or later.
Names are reported as configured, trimmed to 128 characters, and file path-like names remain grouped under "other" or "custom." The metrics derive from client telemetry, which may undercount usage if clients are outdated or telemetry is blocked, so these metrics are best used for trend analysis rather than exact accounting.
Why This Matters
Organizations often develop their own custom skills and agents that are critical to their workflows. This update allows administrators to:
- Identify which internal customizations are actively used by developers.
- Track adoption rates after deploying new custom tools.
- Focus enablement and support efforts where needed.
Important Notes
- Coverage: Names are reported from supported clients and integrations as mentioned above.
- Accuracy: Metrics come from client telemetry and may undercount activity.
- History: Named entries appear only for report days processed after this release; earlier data still shows generic labels.
- Access: Reports are accessible to enterprise owners, billing managers, organization owners, and roles with the "View Copilot Metrics" permission. The Copilot usage metrics policy must be enabled.
Official Documentation
For more details and to get started with the updated API, visit the GitHub Changelog announcement.
FAQs
Q: Which clients support the new named entries in usage metrics?
A: Copilot CLI version 1.0.97 or later, GitHub Copilot app, ACP integrations like JetBrains, and Copilot SDK version 1.0.21 or later support named entries.
Q: Can I see historical data with named entries?
A: No, named entries appear only for report days processed after this update. Earlier data still uses generic labels.
Q: How many custom entries can be displayed per category?
Up to 25 entries per category per record are now shown, increased from five previously.
Q: Who can access these usage reports?
Enterprise owners, billing managers, organization owners, and users with the appropriate custom roles and permissions can access these reports.
Official sources
- GitHub Changelog — Last verified: 2026-10-23 16:38:54