How to Build a Simple App Using GitHub Copilot in Just 3 Hours

Building an app can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re a solo founder or indie hacker with limited time and resources. What if I told you that you could leverage AI to speed up the process significantly? In this guide, I'll walk you through how to build a simple app using GitHub Copilot in just 3 hours. Yes, you heard that right.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up for free if you don't have one.
2. Visual Studio Code: Download and install it.
3. GitHub Copilot: You’ll need a subscription. It costs $10/month or $100/year.
4. Basic Knowledge of JavaScript: Familiarity with JavaScript will help you understand the code better.
5. Node.js: Install Node.js to run your app.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment (30 minutes)

1. Install Visual Studio Code: After downloading, set it up.
2. Install GitHub Copilot: Go to Extensions in VS Code and search for GitHub Copilot. Click 'Install'.
3. Create a New Project: Open the terminal in VS Code and run:

   mkdir simple-app
   cd simple-app
   npm init -y
   

4. Install Express: We’ll use Express for our simple server.

   npm install express
   

Expected output: A new project folder with a package.json file and Express installed.

Step 2: Writing the Code with GitHub Copilot (1 hour)

Now comes the fun part: using GitHub Copilot to generate your app code.

1. Create an index.js file in the project folder.

2. Start writing comments for your app. For example:

   // Create a simple Express server
   

   GitHub Copilot will suggest a boilerplate code. Accept the suggestion by pressing Tab.

3. Add a simple route:

   // Add a route that returns "Hello World"
   

   Again, accept the suggestion from Copilot.

4. Set up the server to listen on a port:

   // Make the server listen on port 3000
   

   Accept the suggestion.

Expected output: A fully functional Express app that returns "Hello World" when accessed.

Step 3: Testing Your App (30 minutes)

1. Run the app by executing the following command in the terminal:

   node index.js
   

2. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000. You should see "Hello World".

If you encounter issues, check the terminal for error messages and ensure that you’ve followed the steps correctly.

What Could Go Wrong

• Dependency issues: Make sure all packages are installed. If you get a "module not found" error, re-run the installation command.
• Port conflicts: If port 3000 is already in use, change the port number in your code and re-run.

Step 4: Enhancing Your App (1 hour)

1. Add a new route that returns a JSON object:

   // Create a route that returns a JSON response
   

   Use GitHub Copilot to help write this code.

2. Implement error handling to manage unexpected inputs.

3. Add simple logging to track requests.

4. Test the new features by running the app again and accessing the new routes.

Expected output: Your app should now handle multiple routes and return JSON responses.

What's Next

• Deploy Your App: Consider deploying your app using platforms like Heroku or Vercel.
• Iterate on Features: Add user authentication or a database connection for more complexity.
• Explore Other Tools: Check out alternatives to GitHub Copilot like Tabnine or Codeium for more AI coding assistance.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker looking to build an app quickly, GitHub Copilot can be a game-changer. By following these steps, you can create a simple application in just 3 hours. Remember to leverage Copilot for repetitive coding tasks, but don’t forget to review and understand the code it generates.

What We Actually Use

For our projects, we often rely on GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping, combined with tools like Postman for API testing and Heroku for deployment.