Using DeepSeek With GitHub Copilot

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Important Links

DeepSeek API Docs
DeepSeek V4 for Copilot Chat (By: Vizards)
Integrate with GitHub Copilot
Awesome DeepSeek Integrations

*** IMPORTANT ***

Optional: Vision Support

DeepSeek V4 is text-only, but the extension handles images automatically. Drop a screenshot into chat and it proxies through another installed Copilot model (Claude, GPT-4o) to describe the image before sending to DeepSeek. Run DeepSeek: Set Vision Proxy Model to pick which model handles image descriptions.



Help From Gemini

I don't have any other model for vision proxy to use with DeepSeek in GitHub Copilot.
How can I use screenshot with DeepSeek V4 in GitHub Copilot?

Because GitHub Copilot recently integrated DeepSeek V4 (both Pro and Flash models) directly into its ecosystem via the official "DeepSeek V4 for Copilot Chat" extension, there is a built-in architectural catch: DeepSeek V4 is entirely text-only, but Copilot handles screenshots using a transparent proxy system.

If you are using this extension or an OpenAI-compatible third-party bridge, you do not need a separate, external vision proxy model like your own Claude or OpenAI API key. GitHub Copilot uses its own built-in models (like GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 Sonnet) to act as that proxy entirely for free behind the scenes.

If it isn't working or you are getting an error (like unknown variant image_url or the screenshot is simply ignored), use the following steps to properly configure and use screenshots with DeepSeek V4 in Copilot:

The Setup Method

1

Verify Extension Prerequisites

Required version

1.Verify Extension Prerequisites:Required version.

Ensure your VS Code is updated to the latest version (1.116 or later) and your GitHub Copilot extension is active. Open Copilot Chat and ensure you can see DeepSeek V4 Pro or DeepSeek V4 Flash in your model picker.

2

Configure the Built-in Copilot Vision Proxy

Command Palette

2.Configure the Built-in Copilot Vision Proxy:Command Palette.

You don't need an external API key for vision. Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac or Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows) and run:

DeepSeek: Set Vision Proxy Model

3

Select an Installed Copilot Model

Choose fallback

3.Select an Installed Copilot Model:Choose fallback.

A dropdown will appear listing the native models your GitHub Copilot subscription already provides (e.g., gpt-4o or claude-3.5-sonnet). Pick one. This does not change your main chat model; it simply tells Copilot which of its native models to use to look at your screenshot.

4

Paste and Reference the Screenshot

In the Chat Window

4.Paste and Reference the Screenshot:In the Chat Window.

Drag and drop your screenshot into the Copilot Chat panel, or copy the image and press Ctrl+V / Cmd+V. Add your text prompt (e.g., "Fix the styling issue in this screenshot") and hit enter.

How it Works Behind the Scenes

When you drop a screenshot into the chat while DeepSeek V4 is active, the workflow bypasses DeepSeek's text-only limitation seamlessly:

1. The Interception: Copilot intercepts the image file before it hits the DeepSeek API.

2. The Description: It routes the image directly to the local native Copilot model you selected in Step 3 (like GPT-4o).

3. The Text Injection: That model generates a highly detailed text description of what is happening in the screenshot (UI layout, error message, code snippet).

4. The DeepSeek Execution: Copilot invisibly appends that text description to your original prompt and forwards it to DeepSeek V4. DeepSeek processes the instructions as if it "saw" the image.

Troubleshooting Tip: If you encounter a 400 Error (unknown variant image_url) when pasting a screenshot, it means your VS Code extension is trying to pass the raw image straight to DeepSeek's text endpoint. Update the DeepSeek V4 for Copilot Chat extension to the newest patch release, which fixes the format translation layer.

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