GitHub is evolving how it bills for AI. Starting June 1, 2026, GitHub Copilot is transitioning from a “Premium Request” model to Usage-Based Billing (UBB). This shift replaces flat-rate requests with a more flexible GitHub AI Credits system.
Whether you are a solo developer or managing an enterprise, understanding these changes is essential for controlling your AI spend.
What is GitHub Copilot Usage-Based Billing (UBB)?
Usage-Based Billing is a “pay-as-you-go” model where costs align directly with your actual token consumption. Instead of being limited by a fixed number of requests, your account or organization is allocated a monthly pool of GitHub AI Credits.
Key Changes to Know:
- AI Credits replace PRUs: Premium Request Units (PRUs) are being retired in favor of token-based credits.
- Pooled Usage: For Business and Enterprise plans, credits are now pooled across the entire organization rather than being tied to individual seats.
- Token Consumption: Costs are calculated based on input tokens (your prompts), output tokens (AI responses), and cached tokens (reused context).
How Pricing Works Under the New UBB Model
GitHub has maintained the base subscription prices while integrating AI Credits into each plan:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Included AI Credits |
| Copilot Pro | $10/month | $10 in credits |
| Copilot Business | $19/user/month | $19 in pooled credits |
| Copilot Enterprise | $39/user/month | $39 in pooled credits |
Standard code completions and “Next Edit Suggestions” remain free and do not consume your AI Credits. Only “agentic” workflows—like complex chat, autonomous code reviews, and multi-step reasoning—draw from your credit pool.
Benefits of Moving to Usage-Based Billing
The transition to UBB offers several advantages for modern development teams:
- Access to Powerful Models: You can now use high-reasoning models (like Claude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-5) without being blocked by “premium request” caps.
- Eliminate Stranded Capacity: With pooled credits, your “power users” can use the extra credits left over by teammates who use AI less frequently.
- Scalability: If your team needs more AI power for a specific sprint, you can purchase additional credits without upgrading your entire plan.
- Cost Transparency: Admins can now set hard spending limits and view real-time consumption dashboards.
3 Steps to Prepare for the UBB Transition
To ensure your transition is seamless before the June 1st deadline, follow these steps:
1. Preview Your Billing Impact
Log in to your GitHub account and navigate to Settings > Billing and Licensing. Use the Billing Preview tool to see a preview of how your current usage habits will translate into the new credit system.
2. Set Your Spending Limits
Prevent “bill shock” by setting a monthly budget. Admins can configure thresholds at the enterprise, cost-center, or individual user levels. Once your credits are exhausted, you can choose to either halt advanced features or enable metered overages.
3. Optimize Developer Workflows
Encourage your team to be mindful of token usage. For example, using “Auto Mode” for model selection can offer a 10% discount on credit consumption, as GitHub selects the most efficient model for the task.
Need Help Optimizing Your GitHub Enterprise Setup?
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