> Markdown version of [/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1791-the-autonomous-pull](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1791-the-autonomous-pull). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

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# The Autonomous Pull Request: Let Agents Ship Without Surrendering Control


- **Event:** World Congress 2026 North America

## Description

The next productivity leap is not faster code completion; it is a pull request that can move from task to merge without constant human babysitting. This session presents a controlled autonomous workflow using GitHub Copilot app Agent Merge and a real application repository. We will demo an agent implementing a change, following repository-specific operating rules, responding to Copilot review, and waiting while GitHub independently evaluates the result. Secret push protection, code and dependency scanning, CodeQL, quality analysis, strict branch freshness, native C++ tests, and the .NET suite form a set of non-negotiable gates. Only after that evidence is green can Agent Merge complete the workflow. We will close with a clear division of responsibility: agents handle implementation and routine remediation, automated policy establishes baseline confidence, and humans focus their limited review time on intent, UX, architecture, and exceptional risk.

## Speaker

### [Sam Jarvinen](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@sam-jarvinen)

Senior Solutions Engineer, GitHub


## Related talks at this congress

- [Accelerating development and managing agents with the GitHub Copilot app](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1783-accelerating) — Christopher Harrison
- [Agentic Code Validation and Repository Automation with Agentic Workflows](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1784-agentic-code) — Jose Palafox
- [From Intent to Merge: A Hands-On Workshop on Code Review in the Agent Era](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1808-from-intent-to-merge) — Lizzie Siegle
- [Going beyond the code through the GitHub Copilot App: how to unlock you and your team’s superpower](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-north-america/sessions/1788-going-beyond-the) — Jenny Hwang

## Watch remotely

Can’t make it to San José? Watch this session live with Pro. You also get:

- All full videos, bookmarks, and playlists
- World Congress livestreams

[See pricing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/pricing)

## Links

- [Get tickets](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/world-congress-north-america/tickets)