Ai Coding Tools

How to Build Your First Project with GitHub Copilot in 2 Hours

By BTW Team3 min read

How to Build Your First Project with GitHub Copilot in 2026

If you’re a beginner looking to build your first project, you might feel overwhelmed by the complexities of coding. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that promises to help you write code faster and more efficiently. But does it really deliver? In this guide, I’ll walk you through using GitHub Copilot to build a simple project in just 2 hours.

Time Estimate and Prerequisites

You can finish this project in 2 hours if you have the right setup. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A GitHub account (Free)
  • Visual Studio Code (Free)
  • GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/mo after a 60-day free trial)
  • Basic understanding of JavaScript (helpful but not mandatory)

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

  1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code from here.
  2. Sign Up for GitHub Copilot: Go to your GitHub account settings and subscribe to GitHub Copilot. You’ll have a 60-day free trial to test it out.
  3. Install the GitHub Copilot Extension: Open Visual Studio Code, go to the Extensions tab, and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".

Expected Output:

You should see a Copilot icon in your VS Code sidebar, indicating it’s ready to assist you.

Step 2: Create Your Project

  1. Start a New Project: Open a new folder in VS Code and create a file named app.js.
  2. Define Your Project: Let’s build a simple to-do list application. Start by typing // To-Do List App in the app.js file and hit Enter. Copilot will suggest code for you.

Expected Output:

You should see suggested code for a basic structure of a to-do list app. Accept the suggestions by pressing Tab.

Step 3: Building the Core Features

  1. Add Functionality: Add a function to add tasks. Write function addTask(task) { and watch Copilot suggest the rest of the function.
  2. Create a List: Next, type let tasks = []; and let Copilot suggest how to display tasks.
  3. User Input: For accepting user input, start typing prompt('Enter a task:') and let Copilot fill in the logic.

Expected Output:

By the end of this step, you should have a fully functional to-do list app with add and display features.

Troubleshooting

  • What Could Go Wrong: If Copilot doesn’t suggest anything, ensure you’re connected to the internet and that your subscription is active.
  • Common Errors: If you encounter syntax errors, double-check the code suggestions Copilot made. Sometimes, they may not fit your specific needs.

What's Next?

Now that you have a working to-do list app, consider adding more features like deleting tasks or marking them as complete. You can also look into deploying your app using platforms like Vercel or Netlify (both have free tiers).

Conclusion: Start with GitHub Copilot

If you're just starting out, GitHub Copilot is a valuable tool that can significantly reduce the learning curve. Just remember, while it can help you write code, understanding that code is crucial for troubleshooting and further development.

In our experience, GitHub Copilot works best for simple projects and can be a bit hit-or-miss with complex logic. It’s a great way to get started, but you’ll still need to invest time in learning the fundamentals.

Follow Our Building Journey

Weekly podcast episodes on tools we're testing, products we're shipping, and lessons from building in public.

Subscribe

Never miss an episode

Subscribe to Built This Week for weekly insights on AI tools, product building, and startup lessons from Ryz Labs.

Subscribe
Ai Coding Tools

AI Coding Tools: Codeium vs GitHub Copilot - Which is Best for Solo Developers?

AI Coding Tools: Codeium vs GitHub Copilot Which is Best for Solo Developers? As a solo developer, you often wear multiple hats—coder, designer, marketer, and sometimes even proje

Apr 16, 20263 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Build an AI-Powered Chatbot in 2 Hours with Replit Agent

How to Build an AIPowered Chatbot in 2 Hours with Replit Agent Building an AIpowered chatbot in just two hours sounds ambitious, right? But with tools like Replit Agent, it’s not o

Apr 16, 20263 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Build a Simple App with AI Tools in 30 Minutes

How to Build a Simple App with AI Tools in 30 Minutes As indie hackers and solo founders, we often face the daunting task of building apps quickly and efficiently. In 2026, with th

Apr 16, 20264 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Build a Simple Chatbot with AI Tools in Just 2 Hours

How to Build a Simple Chatbot with AI Tools in Just 2 Hours Building a chatbot might sound daunting, especially if you’re a solo founder or indie hacker with limited coding experie

Apr 16, 20264 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Build Your First Full-Stack App Using AI Tools in 2 Hours

How to Build Your First FullStack App Using AI Tools in 2026 If you’ve ever wanted to build a fullstack app but felt overwhelmed by the complexity, you're not alone. Many aspiring

Apr 16, 20265 min read
Ai Coding Tools

Why GitHub Copilot is Overrated for Medium-Level Coders

Why GitHub Copilot is Overrated for MediumLevel Coders As a mediumlevel coder, you might have heard the hype surrounding GitHub Copilot. It’s often portrayed as a magical assistant

Apr 16, 20263 min read