GitHub’s new Agent HQ lets you toggle between Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s Codex directly in GitHub and VS Code, giving developers a multi‑model coding assistant in public preview. It’s available now for Copilot Pro+ and Enterprise plans, letting you pick the best AI for design ideas or line‑by‑line code generation in real time.
What Is Agent HQ and How It Works?
Agent HQ is a built‑in hub that surfaces multiple AI models inside your IDE. When you type a prompt, the system evaluates whether Claude’s natural‑language reasoning or Codex’s code‑focused generation is the better fit, then routes the request accordingly. You stay in the same editor, so the workflow stays seamless.
Switching Between Claude and Codex
Within the hub’s UI you can:
- Set a default model for general coding tasks.
- Toggle manually to Claude for high‑level design queries.
- Switch to Codex for detailed completions or refactoring.
- Chain prompts so a single request triggers Claude’s outline followed by Codex’s implementation.
Benefits for Pro+ and Enterprise Users
Pro+ and Enterprise subscribers gain immediate access to the multi‑model experience, which translates into tangible productivity gains.
- Faster iteration cycles: Get design sketches from Claude and concrete code from Codex without leaving the editor.
- Higher code quality: Leverage Claude’s reasoning to catch logical gaps before Codex writes the code.
- Customizable workflows: Choose the model that matches each task, reducing reliance on a one‑size‑fits‑all engine.
Faster Iterations and Better Code Quality
Developers report that using Claude for architecture and Codex for boilerplate can cut iteration time by up to 50 %. The ability to switch on the fly means you spend less time re‑prompting and more time building.
Pricing and Token Considerations
Free and Pro tiers still run on a single “basic” model with request‑rate caps. Adding Claude and Codex to the mix splits your token budget across two engines, so heavy users may see quotas deplete faster. Keep an eye on monthly token usage and adjust your plan if you rely on the preview heavily.
Real‑World Feedback from Early Adopters
One senior developer at a fintech startup shared that “being able to ask Claude for a quick architectural sketch and then let Codex flesh out the boilerplate cuts my iteration time in half.” Users appreciate the flexibility to pick the right tool for each job, calling it a missing piece in the previous Copilot experience.
Future Implications for AI‑Assisted Development
If Agent HQ proves stable and cost‑effective, other platforms may follow with their own marketplaces of specialized models. The shift toward a modular AI stack could reshape how developers interact with code assistants, making the line between human and machine‑assisted development increasingly fluid.
