How to Build a Simple App Using GitHub Copilot in 1 Hour

Building an app can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a solo founder or indie hacker juggling multiple responsibilities. But what if I told you that you could leverage AI to create a simple app in just one hour? That's where GitHub Copilot comes in. It’s not just a fancy tool; it’s a game-changer for speeding up development. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of building a simple app using GitHub Copilot in just one hour, including the necessary prerequisites, step-by-step instructions, and some honest insight into what works and what doesn’t.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, here’s what you need to have set up:

1. GitHub Account: Create a GitHub account if you don’t already have one.
2. Visual Studio Code (VSCode): Download and install Visual Studio Code.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: This costs $10/month for individual developers. Sign up for GitHub Copilot if you haven't already.
4. Basic Knowledge of JavaScript: Familiarity with JavaScript will help, but don’t worry if you’re not an expert.

Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment

1. Open VSCode: Launch Visual Studio Code.
2. Create a New Project: Open a new folder where you want to create your app.
3. Initialize a Git Repository: Open the terminal in VSCode and run:

   git init
   

4. Create an HTML File: Create a new file named index.html.

Step 2: Ask GitHub Copilot to Generate Code

1. Start Writing HTML: Inside index.html, type <!DOCTYPE html> and let Copilot suggest the rest. You’ll see it auto-completing the HTML structure.
2. Create a Simple Form: Type <!-- Create a form for user input --> and then start a form tag. Copilot should suggest a basic form structure.
3. Add Input Fields: As you type, ask Copilot to create input fields by typing <!-- Add an input field for name -->.

Expected Output

By now, your index.html should look something like this:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Simple App</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Simple App</h1>
    <form>
        <label for="name">Name:</label>
        <input type="text" id="name" name="name">
        <input type="submit" value="Submit">
    </form>
</body>
</html>

Step 3: Add JavaScript Functionality

1. Create a JavaScript File: Create a new file named script.js.
2. Link JavaScript to HTML: At the bottom of index.html, add <script src="script.js"></script>.
3. Write a Simple Function: In script.js, type // Function to alert user input and let Copilot suggest the function to handle form submission.

Expected Output

Your script.js could look something like this:

document.querySelector('form').addEventListener('submit', function(event) {
    event.preventDefault();
    const name = document.getElementById('name').value;
    alert(`Hello, ${name}!`);
});

Step 4: Run Your App

1. Open Live Server: If you have the Live Server extension installed in VSCode, right-click on index.html and select "Open with Live Server."
2. Test Your App: Fill out the form and submit it to see your JavaScript in action!

What Could Go Wrong

• Copilot Doesn't Understand: Sometimes, Copilot might not suggest the code you expect. In that case, try rephrasing your comment or starting to type the function name.
• Browser Issues: Ensure your browser is up to date; otherwise, the JavaScript might not run as expected.

What's Next

Now that you have a simple app running, think about what features you want to add next. Consider integrating a backend service or expanding the functionality with more complex JavaScript. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss tools and projects we’re working on in real-time.

Conclusion: Start Here

Building a simple app using GitHub Copilot can be a quick and efficient process, especially if you’re pressed for time. In under an hour, you can create a functional app that serves as a great starting point for further development.

To recap, make sure you have the prerequisites ready, follow the steps outlined, and don’t hesitate to experiment with Copilot’s suggestions.

Remember, building is about iteration, so don’t get discouraged if things don’t work out perfectly the first time.