Clarify that Copilot coding agent doesn't observe the "Suggestions ma…

…tching public code" policy (#56569)
github · docs-bot · Jul 14, 2025 · Jul 14, 2025 · Jul 14, 2025 · Jul 14, 2025
commit 16c84668a0dab2b4e530f53195be0cc37d4a5fea
diff --git a/content/copilot/concepts/about-copilot-coding-agent.md b/content/copilot/concepts/about-copilot-coding-agent.md
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ redirect_from:
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > * {% data reusables.copilot.coding-agent.preview-note-text %}
-> * The setting that blocks suggestions matching public code may not work as intended when using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-copilot-plan/managing-copilot-policies-as-an-individual-subscriber#enabling-or-disabling-suggestions-matching-public-code).
 
 ## Overview of {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}
 
@@ -109,6 +108,7 @@ Users can include hidden messages in issues assigned to {% data variables.produc
 * **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} does not work with self-hosted {% data variables.product.prodname_actions %} runners**. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} has access to its own development environment, running in {% data variables.product.prodname_actions %}, and must use {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}-hosted runners. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/customizing-copilot/customizing-the-development-environment-for-copilot-coding-agent#upgrading-to-larger-github-hosted-github-actions-runners).
 * **{% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} does not work in personal repositories owned by {% data variables.enterprise.prodname_managed_users %}**. This is because {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} requires {% data variables.product.company_short %}-hosted runners, which are not available to repositories owned by {% data variables.enterprise.prodname_managed_users %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/actions/using-github-hosted-runners/using-github-hosted-runners/about-github-hosted-runners).
 * **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} doesn't account for content exclusions**. Content exclusions allow administrators to configure {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to ignore certain files. When using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will not ignore these files, and will be able to see and update them. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configuring-and-auditing-content-exclusion/excluding-content-from-github-copilot).
+* **{% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} does not apply the "Suggestions matching public code" policy**. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} may still produce suggestions matching public code, even if the "Suggestions matching public code" policy is set to "Block." If this happens, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will not provide code references pointing to the original source of the code. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-copilot-plan/managing-copilot-policies-as-an-individual-subscriber#enabling-or-disabling-suggestions-matching-public-code).
 * **{% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} is not available in {% data variables.enterprise.data_residency %}**. The agent is only available in {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}.
 
 ## Hands-on practice

diff --git a/...github-copilot-features/responsible-use-of-copilot-coding-agent-on-githubcom.md b/...github-copilot-features/responsible-use-of-copilot-coding-agent-on-githubcom.md
@@ -145,7 +145,11 @@ The language model used by {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}’s
 
 To mitigate the risk of inaccurate code, you should carefully review and test the generated code, particularly when dealing with critical or sensitive applications. You should also ensure that the generated code adheres to best practices and design patterns and fits within the overall architecture and style of the codebase.
 
-> [!NOTE] The setting that blocks suggestions matching public code may not work as intended when using {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-copilot-plan/managing-copilot-policies-as-an-individual-subscriber#enabling-or-disabling-suggestions-matching-public-code).
+### Public code
+
+{% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} may generate code that is a match or near match of publicly available code, even if the "Suggestions matching public code" policy is set to "Block." See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-your-copilot-plan/managing-copilot-policies-as-an-individual-subscriber#enabling-or-disabling-suggestions-matching-public-code).
+
+If this happens, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} will not provide code references pointing to the original source of the code. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/finding-public-code-that-matches-github-copilot-suggestions).
 
 ### Legal and regulatory considerations