Announcing Public Preview of the GitHub Copilot app modernization for Java

Senior Program Manager

Modernizing Java applications and migrating to the cloud is often a complex, time-consuming, and fragmented process.GitHub Copilot app modernization for Javais a powerful solution designed to simplify and accelerate your journey to the cloud.

Available now inPublic Preview as a single extension packin the Visual Studio Code Marketplace,GitHub Copilot app modernization for Java provides an intelligent, guided approach to Java upgrades and modernization—automating repetitive tasks, improving consistency, and reducing risk.

Six Core Value Pillars

1.Intelligent Issue Analysis & Recommendation

Modernization starts with insight. Whether you’re upgrading Java runtime or migrating to Azure, modernization starts with understanding your code. Our tool analyzes your project’s current state and generates a plan, offeringcontext-aware fixes and actionable recommendations fromAzure Migrate Application Code Assessment Tool (AppCAT), so you spend less time diagnosing and more time modernizing. AppCAT is also available as a stand-alone CLI tool. SeeAppCAT for Java to learn more.

2.Expert-led Code Transformation

Once plan is generated, GitHub Copilot App Modernization for Java is a powerful code transformation engine that combinesexpert-led migration strategies andautomated Java upgrade.Whether you’re moving from Java 8 to Java 21 or re-platforming for Azure services, Copilot applies structured changes with precision.

For cloud modernization scenarios, it offerspredefined AI-powered formulas that encode proven migration strategies. These formulas apply expert knowledge to common Java-to-Azure scenarios with high accuracy. Currently supported formulas include secret management, message queue integration, identity, and more. See thepredefined formulas page for a full list.

For Java upgrades, the extension execute tools likeOpenRewrite to apply code transformations, dynamically resolve build issues, and run test validations — ensuring a smooth, error-free upgrade process.

3.Automation Through Learning

Beyond predefined strategies, developers can capture their own migration logic intocustom reusable formulas. This is done by converting Git commits into structured migration patterns—allowing teams to scale andreuse learned remediations across multiple codebases with accuracy and consistency.

Custom formulas can be created from one or more commits, provided they accurately reflect the intended coding behaviors.The example belowcombinespreviouscode changesfrom local file to Azure Blob and RabbitMQ to Azure Service Bus into onepowerful,all-encompassingformula, and executes it against my current project.

4.Automatic Error Fixing

Modernizationisn’t complete until your application successfully builds.GitHub Copilot App Modernization for Javahelps resolve issues automatically and performs test validations, ensuring error-free transformations and keeping your production pipelines running smoothly.

5.Post-upgrade CVE and Code Inconsistency Validation

The GitHub Copilot App Modernization for Java scans for CVE vulnerabilities and code inconsistencies after the upgrade process is completed. When such issues are detected, the tool automatically fixes the issues within the Agent Mode, allowing the user to review the fixes. This improves the application’s security posture and ensures compliance with organizational guidelines.

6.Automated Deployment to Azure

Whenyou’re ready,GitHub Copilot for Azurehelpsfacilitate automated deployment to Azure, completing the app modernization process.When the Copilot agent is requested to deploy your application, it creates the required Infrastructure as Code files, deploys the application, addresses any deployment errorsencountered, and sets up CI/CD pipelines.GitHub Copilot for Azure is a separate extension today andefforts are underway to integrate it with GitHub Copilot App Modernization for Java.