GitHub Copilot Code Review Adds REST and GraphQL API Support, Balanced Default

GitHub Copilot code review can now be requested through the REST and GraphQL APIs, and each request can carry its own review effort level. The change is generally available to Copilot Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise plans, according to GitHub’s changelog.

The API support is aimed at teams that want reviews to start from the systems they already use. GitHub says it lets you bring Copilot code review into your own scripts, workflows, and internal tools.

Balanced becomes the default effort level

Alongside the API work, Balanced is now the default review effort level for new and existing repositories and organizations using Copilot code review. GitHub had announced the change on August 28, 2026, and it took effect September 28, 2026.

If you had explicitly selected Lite in your settings, that selection was respected, so your reviews keep running at Lite unless you change it.

Where to switch back to Lite

You can move the review effort level from Default to Lite at whichever level you manage:

• Enterprise: enterprise settings, then AI controls → Agents → Copilot code review.
• Organization: organization settings, then Copilot → Code review.
• Repository: repository settings, then Copilot → Code review.
• Personal: your profile picture, then Copilot settings → Copilot → Code review.

Each level can override the one above it, so a repository setting can take precedence over an organization or enterprise choice. GitHub points to its “Configuring code review by GitHub Copilot” documentation for step-by-step instructions.

Both changes are available now to Copilot Pro, Pro+, Max, Business, and Enterprise users; there is nothing to install, and the effort level is adjusted from the settings path for the level you manage.

Sources

• Copilot code review: API support and new default effort level — GitHub Changelog