Implements comprehensive metered connection detection and handling to reduce data usage on limited connections (mobile data, tethering, capped plans).

Architecture

Detection & State Flow

Network Information API (Browser)
  ├─ navigator.connection.saveData
  ├─ navigator.connection.metered
  └─ navigator.connection.effectiveType (2g, slow-2g, 3g)
         │
         ▼ onChange event
MeteredConnectionService (Renderer)
  ├─ Monitors network changes
  ├─ Reads update.respectMeteredConnections setting
  └─ isConnectionMetered = network_metered && setting_enabled
         │
         ▼ IPC (METERED_CONNECTION_CHANGED_CHANNEL)
MeteredConnectionMainService (Main Process)
  └─ Used by Update Service (downloads in main process)

When Connection Becomes Metered

All automatic operations pause while retaining explicit user actions:

• Updates: Auto-checks/downloads skipped, manual "Check for Updates" works
• Extension Updates: Auto-checks skipped (when reason provided), manual checks work
• Settings Sync: Auto-sync skipped, manual sync works, resumes when non-metered
• Telemetry: Events buffered (max 1000), flushed when non-metered
• Git: Autofetch disabled, post-commit commands skipped, manual operations work

Implementation

Platform Service

• IMeteredConnectionService: Platform service with isConnectionMetered property
• Returns true only when network metered AND update.respectMeteredConnections enabled
• Implementations: browser (navigator.connection), electron-browser (+ IPC to main), electron-main

Integration Points

• Update Service: checkForUpdates(explicit), downloadUpdate(explicit)
• Extensions Service: checkForUpdates(reason?) - skips if reason provided
• UserDataSync: doSync() returns early, resumes via onDidChangeIsConnectionMetered
• Telemetry: publicLog2() buffers to _meteredBufferedEvents, flushes on recovery
• Git Extension: AutoFetcher disabled, post-commit commands skipped

Proposed API

env.isConnectionMetered: boolean
env.onDidChangeIsConnectionMetered: Event<boolean>

Status Bar

• Icon $(radio-tower) shown when metered
• Tooltip explains paused features
• Clicking opens update.respectMeteredConnections setting

Setting

• update.respectMeteredConnections (default: true)
• When disabled: isConnectionMetered returns false regardless of network state
• Fires state change event, all systems resume immediately

💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.