Introduction
GitHub Copilot is shifting from premium request units (PRUs) to a usage-based billing model based on GitHub AI Credits. Starting June 1, 2026, all Copilot plans will include a monthly allotment of credits, and paid plans can purchase additional usage. This change aligns costs with actual compute and inference demands—especially important as Copilot evolves into an agentic platform. This guide walks you through what you need to know, the steps to take, and tips to manage the transition smoothly.
What You Need
- A GitHub Copilot subscription (Free, Pro, Pro+, Business, or Enterprise)
- Admin access to your organization’s billing and usage settings (for Business/Enterprise plans)
- Familiarity with your team’s current Copilot usage patterns
- Access to the preview bill experience (available early May 2026)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understand the New Credit System
GitHub AI Credits replace premium request units. Credits are consumed based on token usage—input, output, and cached tokens—calculated using the published API rates for each model. Key facts:
- Code completions and Next Edit suggestions remain included and do NOT consume credits.
- Base plan pricing stays the same (Pro $10/month, Pro+ $39/month, Business $19/user/month, Enterprise $39/user/month).
- Fallback to lower-cost models will no longer exist; usage stops when credits are exhausted (unless budget controls allow overage).
- Copilot code review will also consume GitHub Actions minutes (billed separately).
This change is designed to better reflect the cost of agentic, multi-step sessions versus quick queries.
Step 2: Review Your Current Usage
Before the transition, analyze how your team uses Copilot today. Look at:
- Number of premium requests per month (if you have a Business/Enterprise plan)
- Average session length and complexity (quick chats vs. long autonomous sessions)
- Models most commonly used (GPT-4, Claude, etc.)
This baseline will help you estimate credit consumption. For individual users (Free/Pro/Pro+), check your Copilot usage in your GitHub settings.
Step 3: Use the Preview Bill Feature
In early May 2026, GitHub will release a preview bill experience. Access it from your Billing Overview page on github.com. This shows projected costs based on recent usage patterns. Use it to:
- Estimate monthly credit consumption
- Identify heavy users or cost outliers
- Adjust budgets before the June 1 switch
Step 4: Set Budget Controls for Organizations
For Business and Enterprise plans, admins can set spending limits. In your organization settings, navigate to Billing & plans > Spending limits. Configure:
- A monthly credit cap for Copilot
- Notifications when usage approaches the limit
- Whether to allow overage (with corresponding billing)
This prevents surprise costs while letting heavy users continue important work where needed.
Step 5: Plan for Agentic Usage Growth
Copilot now supports long, multi-step coding sessions that consume more tokens. If your team relies heavily on agentic features, anticipate higher credit usage. Consider:
- Encouraging efficient prompts to reduce token count
- Using models with lower per-token rates for routine tasks
- Monitoring the impact of new agentic workflows as they roll out
Step 6: Educate Your Team
Communicate the changes to all Copilot users in your organization. Explain:
- How credits are consumed (token-based)
- What remains free (completions, suggestions)
- Best practices to avoid wasteful token usage
Provide a simple guide or link to this page. For large teams, schedule a brief workshop before June 1.
Step 7: Understand Code Review Impact
Copilot code review will consume both AI Credits and GitHub Actions minutes. Review your Actions billing as well. To prepare:
- Check your current Actions minute usage
- Consider adjusting review frequency or scope
- Set separate budgets for Actions if needed
Step 8: Monitor and Adjust After Transition
After June 1, 2026, regularly check your billing dashboard. Look for unexpected spikes. Use the Usage Reports to see per-user and per-model breakdowns. Adjust budgets and team guidance based on real data.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
- Optimize token usage: Use clear, concise prompts. Avoid redundant context. Leverage cached tokens by repeating frequently used code snippets in the same session.
- Leverage the free tier: Code completions and Next Edit suggestions remain unlimited and free—use them for quick edits where possible.
- Choose models wisely: If your task doesn’t require the latest model, stick with a lower-cost option (check GitHub’s published API rates).
- Test before the deadline: Use the preview bill to simulate different usage scenarios and set budgets accordingly.
- Keep an eye on Enterprise agreements: If you have a custom contract, confirm how credits are calculated and whether overage rates apply.
- Stay informed: GitHub may adjust credit allotments or rates. Check official documentation regularly.
By following these steps, you’ll be ready for the transition and can continue using GitHub Copilot efficiently and cost-effectively.