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Cloud Modernization in Days using GitHub Copilot

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 Working on legacy applications has always been intimidating. When I began a large migration of a .NET  project or an old Java system to Azure, it felt like going back in time to unravel years of decisions made by people who might no longer be there. Before you can write any code, you often spend days or weeks just figuring out how everything fits together. By the time you understand it all, it’s easy to feel your motivation slipping away.

That’s why Microsoft’s new AI-powered tools are such a relief. With the latest GitHub Copilot and Azure features, modernization begins with clarity instead of worry.
One major improvement is how the GitHub Copilot App Modernization Agent reviews legacy code. It highlights outdated frameworks, risky patterns, library issues, and migration risks. It’s like having a teammate who already understands the system. When I use it with Dr. Migrate, which checks the app on Azure’s side, I get a much clearer, faster view of what I’m dealing with.
The next part, rewriting and upgrading, used to be the hardest part. Now, Copilot feels like working with an experienced partner. The agent helps move from .NET Framework to modern .NET or from old Java to newer versions, suggesting code changes and updating dependencies. Clear commit steps make everything easy to follow and review. I decide what to accept, but there’s much less manual effort. On SQL, which is common, the Database Modernization Agent is valuable. It analyzes SQL code deep within the app and adapts it for Azure SQL or PostgreSQL, reducing much of the repetitive rewriting that slows down migration.


The DevOps Pipeline Automation Agent sets up GitHub Actions workflows, adds tests, security, and cloud-ready pipelines. The Containerization Assistant generates Dockerfiles, Kubernetes files, and AKS configs so I can manage most DevOps tasks myself.
Azure is changing as well. The Azure SQL Modernization Agent supports schema compatibility, migration planning, and performance tuning for cloud migration. Azure Copilot shows that future cloud operations will rely more on agents.
The biggest difference isn’t just speed, even though Microsoft says modernization can be four times faster. It’s about feeling confident, not anxious, when modernizing. AI agents don’t replace developers, but they make the work easier. They let you focus on thinking, making decisions, and building the right system for the future.

AI Agents from GitHub Copilot that I recommend:

  • GitHub Copilot App Modernization Agent
  • GitHub Copilot Containerization Assistant
  • GitHub Copilot Database Modernization Agent
  • GitHub Copilot DevOps Pipeline Automation Agent
  • GitHub Copilot Code Review Agent (helps detect deprecated APIs and modernization risks)
  • GitHub Copilot Security Agent (helps fix vulnerabilities during modernization)
  • Azure SQL Modernization Agent
  • Dr. Migrate (Azure app assessment and readiness tool)

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