Add upgrade-agentic-workflows custom agent to init command by Copilot · Pull Request #9032 · github/gh-aw

Copilot · 2026-01-05T20:52:49Z

Adds a custom agent that provides direct instructions for upgrading workflows to the latest gh-aw version, handling breaking changes, compilation errors, and automated output generation. The agent supports both CLI and GitHub Copilot Cloud environments.

Changes

New agent template (pkg/cli/templates/upgrade-agentic-workflows.md)
- Provides direct instructions for automated workflow upgrades (non-conversational)
- Fetches and reviews gh-aw changelog for breaking changes
- Applies automatic codemods with the fix tool to fix deprecated fields
- Recompiles workflows and handles error fixing
- Creates PRs on success or issues on failure with diagnostic context
- Migrated from maintainer.md workflow in githubnext/agentics
- Supports GitHub Copilot Cloud with MCP tool references for environments without CLI access
- Simplified workflow using only fix and compile commands (no status or validation flags)
Integration into init command
- Agent created by default when running gh aw init
- Added ensureUpgradeAgenticWorkflowAgent() function
- Updated help text to document the new agent
Test coverage
- Validates agent creation, updates, and skipInstructions flag
- Follows existing test patterns from other agents

Usage

gh aw init  # Creates .github/agents/upgrade-agentic-workflows.md

Then in GitHub Copilot Chat:

/agent upgrade-agentic-workflows

The agent provides direct instructions for changelog review, automatic codemod fixes, recompilation, and error resolution. It can be executed automatically without user interaction.

Environment Support

GitHub Copilot Cloud: Uses the agentic-workflows MCP tool for commands (fix, compile)
CLI Environments: Uses gh aw commands directly (gh aw fix, gh aw compile)

The agent automatically adapts its instructions based on the execution environment, ensuring it works seamlessly in both contexts. The workflow is streamlined to use only essential commands without optional features like status checks or validation flags.

Files Modified

pkg/cli/commands.go - Added embedded template
pkg/cli/copilot-agents.go - Added ensure function
pkg/cli/init.go - Integrated into init flow
pkg/cli/init_command.go - Updated documentation
pkg/cli/compile_campaign.go - Fixed unrelated staticcheck warning

Original prompt

Add a custom agent "upgrade-agentic-workflow.agent.md" that helps upgrade agentic workflows. The agent should be written by the "init" command

Migrate content from https://github.com/githubnext/agentics/blob/main/.github/workflows/maintainer.md?plain=1

💬 We'd love your input! Share your thoughts on Copilot coding agent in our 2 minute survey.

pelikhan · 2026-01-05T21:00:48Z

@copilot update with latest version of maintainer.md

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

…ds step Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot · 2026-01-05T21:23:00Z

@copilot update with latest version of maintainer.md

Updated the upgrade agent template with the latest version of maintainer.md. Added the automatic codemods step using gh aw fix --write to apply fixes for deprecated fields before recompiling workflows. Changes in commit 31d6fae.

pelikhan · 2026-01-05T22:29:41Z

@copilot when the custom agent runs in github copilot cloud, it does not have access "gh aw" but it has access to the github-agentic-workflows mcp server. In general, refer to command like "fix" , "compile" and explain that it might have to use the mcp tools

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot · 2026-01-05T22:36:49Z

@copilot when the custom agent runs in github copilot cloud, it does not have access "gh aw" but it has access to the github-agentic-workflows mcp server. In general, refer to command like "fix" , "co...

Updated the agent to support GitHub Copilot Cloud environments. Commands are now referenced generically (version, fix, compile, status) with a note explaining that in Copilot Cloud, the agentic-workflows MCP tool should be used instead of gh aw CLI commands. Added clear documentation for both execution contexts. Changes in commit 171577b.

pelikhan · 2026-01-05T22:57:37Z

@copilot there is no "version" tool in the mcp so just ignore that

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot · 2026-01-05T23:02:42Z

@copilot there is no "version" tool in the mcp so just ignore that

Removed all references to the version tool from the MCP tool list. Version checking is now documented as a CLI-only feature (using gh aw version) and is optional in the upgrade flow. Changes in commit 174b52a.

pelikhan · 2026-01-05T23:21:06Z

@copilot this is not meant as conversation with user

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot · 2026-01-05T23:26:48Z

@copilot this is not meant as conversation with user

Removed all conversational elements. The agent now provides direct instructions for automated execution, matching the maintainer.md workflow style. Removed "Starting the Conversation" section, "Writing Style" guidance, example interactions, and user-facing prompts. Changes in commit c56c9a0.

pkg/cli/upgrade_agentic_workflow_agent_test.go

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

pkg/cli/templates/upgrade-agentic-workflows.md

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Initial plan

5743c7f

Copilot AI assigned Copilot and pelikhan Jan 5, 2026

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 20:53 View session

Copilot AI and others added 2 commits January 5, 2026 21:04

Add upgrade-agentic-workflow.agent.md custom agent with tests

858a309

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Fix lint issue in compile_campaign.go

878d34f

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot AI changed the title ~~[WIP] Add custom agent to upgrade agentic workflows~~ Add upgrade-agentic-workflow custom agent to init command Jan 5, 2026

Copilot AI requested a review from pelikhan January 5, 2026 21:18

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 21:18

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 21:19 View session

Update upgrade agent with latest maintainer.md - add gh aw fix codemo…

31d6fae

…ds step Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 21:24

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 22:30 View session

Update upgrade agent to support MCP tools for GitHub Copilot Cloud

171577b

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 22:38

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 22:58 View session

Remove version tool references - not available in MCP server

174b52a

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:03

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:21 View session

Remove conversational elements - make agent direct instructions

c56c9a0

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:28

pelikhan reviewed Jan 5, 2026

View reviewed changes

pkg/cli/upgrade_agentic_workflow_agent_test.go Show resolved Hide resolved

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:31 View session

Rename agent file to upgrade-agentic-workflows.md (plural)

b5caf6b

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot AI changed the title ~~Add upgrade-agentic-workflow custom agent to init command~~ Add upgrade-agentic-workflows custom agent to init command Jan 5, 2026

Copilot AI requested a review from pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:37

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:38

pelikhan reviewed Jan 5, 2026

View reviewed changes

Copilot started work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:51 View session

Simplify upgrade agent - remove status, --validate flags, version check

511fca5

Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>

Copilot AI requested a review from pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:58

Copilot finished work on behalf of pelikhan January 5, 2026 23:58

pelikhan approved these changes Jan 6, 2026

View reviewed changes

pelikhan marked this pull request as ready for review January 6, 2026 00:02

pelikhan merged commit 1efc99e into main Jan 6, 2026
130 checks passed

pelikhan deleted the copilot/add-custom-upgrade-agent branch January 6, 2026 00:02

github-actions bot mentioned this pull request Jan 6, 2026

Update AWF to v0.8.1 #9038

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Add upgrade-agentic-workflows custom agent to init command#9032

Add upgrade-agentic-workflows custom agent to init command#9032
pelikhan merged 9 commits intomainfrom
copilot/add-custom-upgrade-agent

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Changes

Usage

Environment Support

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