Switch between two GitHub Copilot Pro+ accounts directly from the VS Code status bar — no manual sign-out, no browser, no hassle.
Features
One-click switching — Pick the target account from VS Code's built-in account picker, window reloads, done.
Status bar indicator — See which account is active at a glance with Copilot status (🟢 active / 🔴 inactive).
No browser needed — Once both accounts are signed in, switching never opens a browser again.
Usage tracking — Track how many switch-cycles each account has been used.
Auto-switch reminders — Optional timer to remind you to balance usage between accounts.
Copilot status checks — Verifies each account's Copilot subscription status via the GitHub API.
Force-switch fallback — If the seamless switch doesn't take effect, a full restart option is available.
Diagnostics panel — View detailed info about accounts, sessions, and configuration.
How It Works
Add two GitHub accounts via the menu (each signs in once through the browser).
Switch with Ctrl+Shift+Alt+N (or Cmd+Shift+Alt+N on Mac), or click the status bar and select an account.
VS Code shows an account picker → select the target → window reloads → Copilot uses the new account.
The extension uses VS Code's clearSessionPreference API combined with inheritAuthAccountPreference to update Copilot's account preference in-memory. A simple window reload is all that's needed.
Commands
Command
Description
Shortcut
Copilot Switcher: Open Account Menu
Show the full account management menu
Click status bar
Copilot Switcher: Switch to Next Account
Quick-switch to the other account
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+N
Copilot Switcher: Add GitHub Account
Sign in with a new GitHub account
—
Copilot Switcher: Remove Saved Account
Remove a saved account
—
Copilot Switcher: Verify Accounts
Check sign-in and Copilot status
—
Copilot Switcher: Refresh Copilot Status
Re-check Copilot subscription status
—
Copilot Switcher: Force Switch (restart)
Switch via full VS Code restart
—
Copilot Switcher: Show Diagnostics
View detailed debug information
—
Settings
Setting
Type
Default
Description
copilotSwitcher.autoSwitchEnabled
boolean
false
Show a reminder to switch after a time interval
copilotSwitcher.autoSwitchIntervalMinutes
number
60
Minutes between switch reminders (5–480)
Requirements
VS Code 1.90+
Two GitHub accounts with Copilot Pro+ subscriptions
sqlite3 on PATH (optional — only needed for the force-switch fallback)
First-Time Setup
Install the extension.
Click the $(github) Copilot Switcher status bar item.
Select Add GitHub Account and sign in with your first account.
Add the second account the same way.
Both accounts are now ready — switch anytime!
Note: On first activation, the extension patches VS Code's product.json to enable account preference inheritance. You'll be prompted to restart VS Code once. This only happens the first time or after a VS Code update.
Known Limitations
Supports exactly 2 accounts (by design, for simple toggling).
The seamless switch shows VS Code's built-in account picker — you need to click the target account.
If the seamless switch doesn't work for some reason, use "Force Switch (restart VS Code)" from the menu.
Adding an account requires one browser sign-in with full scopes (opens browser once per account).
