Agent mode is now available in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), bringing GitHub Copilot-powered multi-step AI assistance to database developers and DBAs. Unlike the previous ask mode (single prompt-response), agent mode can autonomously run queries, diagnose performance issues, identify blocking, table scans, and missing indexes, then summarize findings and suggest actions. The integration uses an MCP server under the hood. By default, agent mode runs read-only to prevent accidental data modification; switching to read-write requires editing the mcp.json file. Users can manage tool permissions per session or globally via Tools > Options > Copilot. Tips for getting started include using a test/dev environment first and applying the principle of least privilege for database users.