5.4 Nano Not Visible in VSCode | Generated by AI
Question: Why can’t I see 5.4 nano in VSCode even though it’s enabled in the GitHub Copilot enterprise web page?
Answer:
This is normal. In GitHub Copilot Enterprise, “enabled in admin” ≠ “visible in VSCode model picker.” There are three separate gates:
- Org enabled model
- Feature rollout to IDE
- Agent mode supports that model
If any one is missing → you won’t see 5.4 nano.
Most common reasons
1. VSCode extension version too old (most common)
5.4 / nano models only appear in new Copilot Chat builds.
Update both:
- GitHub Copilot
- GitHub Copilot Chat
In VSCode:
Extensions → GitHub Copilot → Update
Extensions → GitHub Copilot Chat → Update
Then reload:
Developer: Reload Window
This alone fixes it in many cases.
2. Model enabled for org but not for chat
Enterprise admin panel has separate toggles:
- inline completion models
- chat models
- agent models
Sometimes admin enabled:
5.4 nano → inline only
So you won’t see it in Agent model picker.
3. Agent mode only shows “agent-supported” models
Some models are:
- chat-only
- inline-only
- agent-capable
If 5.4 nano is inline optimized, it may not appear in Agent.
Then Copilot internally uses:
Agent planner → 5.4
Executor → 5.4 nano
but UI only shows 5.4
So you are using nano, just not selectable.
4. Enterprise policy hides model picker
Some orgs lock:
- default model
- hide dropdown
- enforce allowed list
Then VSCode shows only:
Default (managed by org)
But backend still uses nano.
How to verify what’s actually used
Open VSCode:
Command palette:
Copilot: Show Debug Info
or
Copilot: Open Logs
You may see:
model: gpt-5.4
executor: gpt-5.4-nano
mode: agent
This confirms nano is used.
Another way: check status bar
Bottom-right in VSCode:
Sometimes shows:
Copilot: GPT-5.4 (Agent)
Even if nano is executor.
This is expected.
The key thing
Copilot architecture:
Agent planner → bigger model
Execution → nano
Edits → nano
UI only shows planner model.
So you won’t always see nano.
If you really want it selectable
You need:
- latest Copilot Chat
- model picker enabled
- org allows manual selection
- nano flagged as agent model
Otherwise it’s backend-only.
Short answer:
You likely already have 5.4 nano, but it’s used internally and not shown in VSCode UI.