GitHub debuts Copilot Fusion, a new model selection & orchestration system that beats Claude Code for half the API cost

Key Points:

• GitHub has launched GitHub Copilot Fusion, a system that automates model selection and orchestration for coding tasks, allowing developers to delegate these decisions while focusing on the work's direction and outcome.
• Copilot Fusion combines Project HydraFusion's runtime orchestration with Copilot Auto Model Selection, delivering performance comparable to Claude Code with Opus 5.5 Max but at about half the API cost and 40% faster per task.
• The system intelligently routes and switches between models based on task requirements, supporting workflows like cascading quality checks and critique reviews to optimize efficiency and reduce developer mental load.
• Developers can set the effort level—Standard, High, or Max—depending on task complexity, while enterprise admins retain control over which models Copilot Fusion can select and whether it is the default for users.
• Copilot Fusion is part of GitHub’s broader vision to streamline software delivery by offloading model decisions, enabling developers to save time, reduce costs, and improve productivity, as highlighted by positive feedback from AT&T.