Visual Studio Update: GitHub Copilot Tracks Token Usage

Visual Studio's June 2026 update changes how GitHub Copilot usage is tracked. Instead of counting requests, it now measures token consumption. This aligns with GitHub's new usage-based billing model. Here's the thing: Microsoft says this update provides a clearer view of your Copilot usage with real-time updates as you work. You can access this through a new usage window in Visual Studio. What's interesting is that GitHub Copilot switched to usage-based billing on June 1. The June update also adds trust validation for Model Context Protocol servers. This means Visual Studio will check if an MCP server's configuration and fingerprint match a trusted baseline. If there are changes, a dialog will ask the user to review them before the server runs. The update also brings general availability for C++ modernization agent scenarios in GitHub Copilot. This helps upgrade C++ projects to the latest Microsoft C++ Build Tools. Another new feature, "long-distance next edit suggestions," extends Copilot's suggestions across the entire active file, not just near the cursor. Plus, emojis now render in color throughout Visual Studio. The bottom line: These changes impact how developers use and monitor GitHub Copilot within Visual Studio.