How to Build Your First Application with GitHub Copilot in 5 Hours

So, you want to build your first application but feel overwhelmed by the coding? You’re not alone. Many aspiring developers struggle with where to start, and that’s where GitHub Copilot comes in. This AI coding assistant can help you write code faster and with fewer errors. But how do you actually leverage it to build something functional in about 5 hours? Let’s break it down.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before diving in, ensure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up for a free account if you don’t have one.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Install this free code editor.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial.
4. Basic Understanding of JavaScript or Python: Familiarity with at least one programming language will make things easier.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment (30 Minutes)

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install it from the official site.
2. Add GitHub Copilot Extension:
   • Open VS Code.
   • Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X).
   • Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."
3. Sign In: Once installed, sign in with your GitHub account to activate Copilot.

Expected Output:

You should now see a Copilot icon in your VS Code sidebar.

Step 2: Choosing Your Project (30 Minutes)

Decide on a simple project to build. Here are some beginner-friendly ideas:

• To-Do List App: Manage tasks with add, edit, and delete functionalities.
• Weather App: Fetch and display weather data using an API.
• Simple Calculator: Perform basic arithmetic operations.

For this tutorial, let’s go with the To-Do List App.

Step 3: Structuring Your Application (1 Hour)

1. Create Project Folder: Name it todo-app.
2. Create Files: Inside the folder, create:
   • index.html
   • style.css
   • app.js

Using GitHub Copilot:

Start typing comments in app.js to guide Copilot in generating code. For example:

// Create a function to add a new task

Copilot will suggest code snippets to accomplish this.

Expected Output:

You should have a basic structure where tasks can be added to an array.

Step 4: Implementing Features (2 Hours)

Break down the implementation into features, and use Copilot to assist:

1. Add Task Functionality:

   • Use Copilot to generate the function to add tasks.
   • Handle input from the user.

2. Display Tasks:

   • Use Copilot to create a function that appends tasks to the HTML.

3. Delete Task Functionality:

   • Prompt Copilot to generate a function that removes a task from the list.

Troubleshooting:

• If Copilot's suggestions aren’t helpful, refine your comments to be more specific.
• Check the console for errors if the app doesn’t work as expected.

Expected Output:

You should have a fully functioning To-Do List App where you can add and delete tasks.

Step 5: Styling Your Application (1 Hour)

1. Link CSS File: In index.html, link your style.css file.
2. Use Copilot: Start typing CSS styles for your app, like:

   /* Style the task list */
   

   Copilot will suggest some styles to enhance the look of your application.

Expected Output:

Your To-Do List App should now have a clean and user-friendly interface.

What's Next?

Congratulations! You’ve built your first application using GitHub Copilot in about 5 hours. Now, consider:

• Deploying Your App: Use platforms like Vercel or Netlify for free hosting.
• Adding More Features: Integrate local storage to save tasks between sessions.
• Learning More: Explore more advanced topics like APIs or frameworks.

Conclusion: Start Here

Building your first application doesn’t have to be daunting. GitHub Copilot can significantly speed up the process, allowing you to focus on learning rather than getting stuck in syntax. Start with a simple project, follow the steps above, and you’ll be building applications in no time.

If you’re looking for more hands-on experience, check out our weekly podcast, Built This Week, where we share tools we’re testing and projects we’re shipping.