# Repository plugin defaults and enterprise plugin controls generally available

By Steven Van · 2026-10-28

Maintainers can set default plugins per repository, and GitHub Enterprise Cloud admins can require or block plugins for Copilot Business and Enterprise users.

Repository plugin defaults and enterprise-managed plugin controls are now generally available in VS Code, Copilot CLI and the GitHub Copilot app. [GitHub's plugin documentation](<https://docs.github.com/copilot/concepts/customizations/plugins>) describes how the two layers fit together in [GitHub](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/github>) Copilot.

## Repository defaults

Trusted repositories can install and enable default plugins for contributors. A maintainer defines a plugin marketplace and default plugins once, so contributors don't have to repeat setup for each project. Defaults live in .github/copilot/settings.json.

Contributors can turn off repository defaults where policy permits. Repository defaults do not make a plugin mandatory, and they cannot enable a plugin that managed policy blocks or use a marketplace that policy disallows.

## Enterprise controls

Enterprise administrators can supply approved marketplaces and, through managed settings, require or block plugins. They can also restrict installation to approved marketplaces.

- Required plugins are installed and enabled automatically, and users can't disable them.

- Managed settings take precedence over repository and personal choices.

- Managed settings can only require or block plugins. They cannot enable an optional plugin by default.

## Availability

Repository defaults are available to individual Copilot users and to users with **Copilot Business** or **Copilot Enterprise**. Managed controls are available on **GitHub Enterprise Cloud** for users with Copilot Business or Copilot Enterprise licences issued by the enterprise or one of its organisations.

![GitHub](<https://github.githubassets.com/assets/GitHub-Mark-ea2971cee799.png>)

GitHub

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[View GitHub →](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/github>)

Sources

[Original source](<https://github.blog/changelog/2026-10-28-repository-plugin-defaults-and-enterprise-plugin-controls-generally-available>)

[Read Repository plugin defaults and enterprise plugin controls generally available on Creators Toolbox](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/github-repository-plugin-defaults-and-enterprise-plugin-controls-generally>)

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Canonical source: https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/github-repository-plugin-defaults-and-enterprise-plugin-controls-generally
