30-Minute Guide to Setting Up GitHub Copilot for Your Next Project

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. You want to code faster and smarter, but the endless cycle of writing boilerplate code can feel like a drain on your creativity. Enter GitHub Copilot: an AI pair programmer that can help you write code more efficiently. In this guide, I’ll show you how to set it up in just 30 minutes, and share some honest thoughts on its limitations.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving into the setup, make sure you have the following:

• A GitHub account: You’ll need this to access GitHub Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): The most popular code editor where Copilot integrates seamlessly.
• GitHub Copilot subscription: It's $10/month or $100/year after a 60-day free trial.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

1. Go to the Visual Studio Code website.
2. Download the version suitable for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Follow the installation prompts.

Expected Output: You should have a fully functional instance of VS Code.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Navigate to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
3. Search for “GitHub Copilot” in the marketplace.
4. Click “Install” on the GitHub Copilot extension.

Expected Output: You should see a confirmation that the GitHub Copilot extension is installed.

Step 3: Sign In to GitHub

1. After installation, you’ll see a prompt to sign in to GitHub.
2. Click the “Sign In” button and follow the authentication process.

Expected Output: You should be logged in, and the Copilot feature will be activated.

Step 4: Start Coding with GitHub Copilot

1. Create a new file or open an existing project in VS Code.
2. Start typing your code. Copilot will automatically suggest completions and snippets as you type.

Expected Output: You’ll see suggestions pop up in a faded text format. You can accept a suggestion by pressing Tab.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• No suggestions appearing: Make sure you’re typing in a supported programming language (e.g., Python, JavaScript, TypeScript).
• Authentication issues: Double-check that you’re logged into the correct GitHub account with an active Copilot subscription.

Limitations: Be Aware of What Copilot Can’t Do

While GitHub Copilot can be a powerful assistant, it’s not perfect. Here are some limitations:

• Context Awareness: Copilot may not fully understand the context of your entire project, leading to irrelevant suggestions.
• Security Concerns: The AI can suggest code that may include vulnerabilities if not properly vetted.
• Learning Curve: It takes time to learn how to effectively leverage Copilot's suggestions.

What We Actually Use: Our Stack

In our experience at Built This Week, we rely on a combination of tools to maximize our productivity:

• GitHub Copilot: For coding assistance and boilerplate generation.
• Slack: For team communication.
• Notion: For project management and documentation.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to speed up your coding process, GitHub Copilot is a solid investment. Follow this guide, and you’ll have it set up in 30 minutes. Keep in mind its limitations and use it as a complement to your coding skills, not a replacement.

Ready to code faster? Dive into GitHub Copilot today!