How to Correctly Set Up GitHub Copilot in 15 Minutes

As a solo founder or indie hacker, you’re always looking for ways to speed up your coding workflow. GitHub Copilot promises to be your AI coding assistant, but getting it set up correctly can be a bit tricky. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to set up GitHub Copilot in 15 minutes, so you can spend more time building and less time troubleshooting.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

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

1. GitHub Account: If you don’t have one, you can create it for free.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Download and install it if you haven’t already.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: GitHub Copilot costs $10/month for individuals after a 60-day free trial. Make sure you’re ready to subscribe.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code (5 minutes)

1. Go to the Visual Studio Code download page.
2. Download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Expected Output: You should have VS Code running on your machine.

Step 2: Install GitHub Copilot Extension (3 minutes)

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

Expected Output: The extension should now be listed under your installed extensions.

Step 3: Sign In to GitHub (3 minutes)

1. After installation, you’ll see a prompt to sign in to GitHub.
2. Click the "Sign In" button and follow the authentication process.
3. Authorize GitHub Copilot to access your account.

Expected Output: You should see a success message confirming that you are signed in.

Step 4: Enable GitHub Copilot (2 minutes)

1. Once signed in, go to the settings by clicking on the gear icon in the lower left corner.
2. Navigate to Extensions > GitHub Copilot.
3. Ensure that GitHub Copilot is enabled.

Expected Output: You should now see GitHub Copilot suggestions as you type in your code.

Step 5: Start Coding (2 minutes)

1. Open a new file in a programming language supported by GitHub Copilot (like JavaScript, Python, etc.).
2. Start typing a function or comment, and watch Copilot suggest completions.

Expected Output: You should see GitHub Copilot offering code suggestions in real-time.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Issue: Copilot suggestions are not appearing.

  • Solution: Ensure that you are in a supported file type and check that the extension is enabled in your settings.

• Issue: Authentication errors.

  • Solution: Reinstall the GitHub Copilot extension and repeat the sign-in process.

What’s Next?

Once you have GitHub Copilot set up, consider experimenting with different programming languages or frameworks to see how it can help you. Additionally, check out the GitHub Copilot documentation for advanced features and tips.

Conclusion: Start Here

Setting up GitHub Copilot doesn’t have to be a headache. With this step-by-step guide, you can have it up and running in just 15 minutes. Remember, it’s a powerful tool that can enhance your coding experience, but it’s not perfect. Use it as a guide, not a crutch.

If you want to dive deeper into AI tools and how they can help you build faster, check out our weekly podcast, Built This Week, where we share real experiences and tools we’re testing.