GitHub Copilot code review becomes available through REST and GraphQL

The short version

GitHub announced generally available REST and GraphQL support for requesting Copilot code reviews. The October 2 announcement also explains Balanced effort as the default, which took effect September 28; explicit Lite settings are preserved.

What changed

API requests can specify an effort level, while settings inherit through enterprise, organization, repository, and personal scopes.

What it means for you

Teams can integrate review requests into automation and should check inherited settings before changing effort levels.

Use the official API documentation linked from the announcement to add a review request to an existing workflow. Confirm the plan and effective effort setting before making the request.

The announcement date and default-change date are different: October 2 reports the feature, while September 28 is the stated effective date for Balanced. No review-quality improvement is quantified here.

Fact check

VerifiedREST and GraphQL code-review requests are generally available for Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise plans.Evidence

VerifiedAn API request can optionally specify the effort level.Evidence

VerifiedBalanced became the default on September 28, 2026 for new and existing repositories and organizations; explicitly selected Lite remains honored.Evidence

VerifiedEffort settings inherit through enterprise, organization, repository, and personal scopes, with lower scopes overriding parent defaults.Evidence