GitHub Copilot BYOK: Bring Your Own LLM Keys – Now in Public Preview for Enterprises

Enterprise devs, rejoice: GitHub just flipped the script on AI coding assistants. Starting November 20, 2025, Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) for GitHub Copilot lets you plug in your own API keys from top LLM providers — no more being locked into GitHub’s models. Whether you’ve got custom-tuned models or enterprise deals with Anthropic or OpenAI, BYOK hooks them straight into Copilot Chat and your favorite IDEs. Billed by your provider, not GitHub — pure flexibility without quota drama.

Why BYOK? The Enterprise Flex You’ve Been Waiting For

Teams have been clamoring for this: Ditch the one-size-fits-all and bring your preferred LLMs to the party. BYOK supports keys from Anthropic, Microsoft Foundry, OpenAI, and xAI — unlocking *all* models tied to that key. Use ‘em in Copilot Chat on GitHub.com or IDEs like VS Code and JetBrains. And the best part? Usage hits your provider’s bill directly — leverage those sweet contracts or credits without touching GitHub quotas.

Centralized control keeps admins happy: Enterprise-level keys for org-wide access, org-level for fine-grained tweaks. Enable/disable models fleet-wide, adapt on the fly — it’s like giving your AI toolbox wheels.

Key Features: Plug, Play, and Govern

Feature	How It Works	Why It Rocks
Connect API Keys	Enterprise admins add at the enterprise level; org admins at the org level. Select models from your provider.	Swap in custom or preferred LLMs instantly — no vendor lock-in.
Central Model Management	Enterprise admins pick which orgs get access; org admins configure internally. One-stop enable/disable.	Consistent governance across teams — scale without chaos.
IDE Integration	Works in Agent, Plan, Ask, and Edit modes in VS Code, JetBrains, Eclipse, Xcode (latest versions).	Copilot feels native in your editor — code smarter, anywhere.
Provider Billing	Calls billed by your LLM provider; zero impact on GitHub quotas.	Max out existing deals — cost control on your terms.

How to Get Started: 3 Steps to BYOK Bliss

Public preview is live now for GitHub Enterprise and Business customers. Here’s your quick-start playbook:

Connect Your Key: Head to enterprise/org settings → Add your provider’s API key → Pick your models. (Pro tip: Enterprise keys cascade to orgs for easy rollout.)
Manage Access: Enterprise admins: Choose which orgs can tap in. Org admins: Fine-tune who gets what. Toggle models from one dashboard.
Code Away: Fire up Copilot in VS Code, JetBrains, Eclipse, or Xcode. Select your BYOK model — boom, it’s chatting in Agent/Plan/Ask/Edit modes.

Detailed how-to? Check the [official docs](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/administer-copilot/manage-for-enterprise/use-your-own-api-keys).

A Few Caveats (Because Previews)

It’s preview, so expect some rough edges:

No OpenAI Responses API: Stick to Completions API — Responses endpoints won’t play nice.
UI Changes Ahead: The interface might evolve; stay tuned.

The Big Win: Tailored AI, Zero Lock-In

BYOK isn’t just a feature — it’s freedom. Teams with bespoke models or LLM partnerships can now weave them into Copilot without starting from scratch. Centralized management keeps compliance tight, while provider billing slashes surprises. For enterprises, it’s the bridge from “good enough” AI to “exactly right.”

Ready to BYOK? It’s preview time — connect, experiment, and feedback in the [GitHub Community](https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/179954). What’s your first custom model? Drop it in the comments — let’s geek out on enterprise AI!