GitHub Copilot: Claude Sonnet 4 Deprecation Scheduled for May 1, 2026
GitHub CopilotGitHub has announced that Claude Sonnet 4 will be removed from all GitHub Copilot experiences on May 1, 2026, affecting Copilot Chat, inline edits, ask and agent modes, and code completions. The recommended replacement is Claude Sonnet 4.6, which became generally available in GitHub Copilot in February 2026. Enterprise administrators should update model policies before the deadline to ensure continuity for their teams. No manual removal of the deprecated model is required after the cutoff date.
Sources & Mentions
4 external resources covering this update
GitHub removes some models from free Copilot student plan
The Register
GitHub is scrapping some Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini models in Copilot
IT Pro
Claude Opus 4.6 and Sonnet no longer available in Copilot Pro? — GitHub Community Discussion
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Important Updates to GitHub Copilot for Students — GitHub Community Discussion
GitHub
Overview
GitHub has announced the upcoming deprecation of Claude Sonnet 4 across all GitHub Copilot experiences, effective May 1, 2026. This change affects every surface where the model is used — including Copilot Chat, inline edits, ask mode, agent mode, and code completions — across all Copilot tiers.
What Is Being Deprecated
Claude Sonnet 4, Anthropic's earlier Sonnet-generation model, will no longer be available in GitHub Copilot after May 1, 2026. The deprecation covers the full range of Copilot features:
- Copilot Chat (VS Code, github.com, JetBrains, and other supported editors)
- Inline edits and code suggestions
- Ask mode and agent mode
- Code completions
After the deprecation date, the model will be automatically removed — no manual action is required from users to complete the removal.
Recommended Replacement: Claude Sonnet 4.6
GitHub recommends migrating to Claude Sonnet 4.6, which became generally available for Copilot Pro, Pro+, Business, and Enterprise users in February 2026. Claude Sonnet 4.6 offers improved performance and capabilities compared to its predecessor and is accessible through the Copilot Chat model selector in VS Code and on github.com.
What Users and Admins Should Do Before May 1
For individual users, the primary action is to switch to a supported model in their Copilot Chat settings before the deprecation date. Once an alternative model is enabled, it will appear automatically in the model selector.
For Copilot Enterprise administrators, additional steps are required:
- Review and update model policies in Copilot organization settings to enable access to supported models such as Claude Sonnet 4.6.
- Verify that the new model is visible in individual Copilot settings and that policy enablement has propagated.
- Update any internal workflows, scripts, or integrations that explicitly reference Claude Sonnet 4.
GitHub Enterprise customers with specific questions about the transition are encouraged to contact their account manager.
Context: Broader Model Changes in Copilot
This deprecation is part of a broader pattern of model lifecycle management in GitHub Copilot. In March 2026, GitHub also removed several flagship Claude models from the Copilot Student Plan, citing cost sustainability concerns. The announcement of Claude Sonnet 4 deprecation follows shortly after, signaling a deliberate consolidation around newer model versions across the platform.