Harshada Hole showcases how Visual Studio 2026 integrates GitHub Copilot for a more intuitive and effective debugging experience, highlighting real-world scenarios where AI-driven features add value.

Debugging, but Without the Drama: A Visual Studio 2026 Story

Author: Harshada Hole

Debugging often starts with a red build and a failing test, leaving developers wondering why code that worked yesterday now breaks. This scenario, familiar to many, sets the stage for the improvements introduced in Visual Studio 2026.

Faster, More Focused Debugging

When Sam runs into a failing test, the debugger launches faster than before, letting him jump straight into analysis without losing focus. This speed improvement offers instant feedback and helps maintain developer momentum.

Copilot-Enhanced Exception Analysis

Visual Studio 2026 integrates Exception Assistance with Copilot analysis. When an exception occurs, Copilot looks beyond just the code file—analyzing the entire repository, previous bugs, old pull requests, and past fixes. It identifies similar historical errors, flags relevant code paths, and suggests where problematic values may have originated. For complex issues, Sam can use Copilot Chat to choose alternative analysis models, providing a tailored debugging approach.

Inline Values in the Editor

Conditional statements are now easier to understand, thanks to inline values. Instead of individually checking each variable, results of condition evaluations are displayed directly in the editor. When hovering over conditions, Copilot can break down logical expressions, identify which part failed, and explain the runtime logic—all without stepping through the code or adding watches. Method parameters, loop variables, and return values appear inline at their usage points for greater clarity.

Debug With Copilot for Tests

When test failures occur, developers can use Debug with Copilot. The Debugger Agent analyzes the failed test, reviews its code and recent changes, automatically suggests and applies fixes, reruns the test, and produces a clear summary of changes. This collaborative approach allows developers to retain control, focusing on decision-making rather than repetitive debugging tasks.

Empowering Developers, Not Automating Them Away

Visual Studio 2026’s Copilot-powered features are designed to remove common sources of frustration and busywork, letting developers focus on understanding and solving the real issues. Traditional debugging tools like DataTips and visualizers remain functional, so developers can still dig deep when required.

At the end of the day, Sam finds bugs easier to understand—even if they aren’t any simpler to solve. Visual Studio 2026 aims to make debugging feel like a conversation, with tools that know your context and help you focus on what matters.

Your feedback is critical. Let the team know what works and what needs improvement to continue refining the debugging experience.

Happy Debugging!

This post appeared first on “Microsoft VisualStudio Blog”. Read the entire article here