How to Get Started with GitHub Copilot in 10 Minutes

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker diving into coding, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tools at your disposal. GitHub Copilot, launched in 2021, has evolved into a must-have AI coding assistant that can speed up your development process significantly. However, getting started can seem daunting. In this guide, I'll walk you through how to set up and use GitHub Copilot in just 10 minutes.

Prerequisites: What You Need

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up for free if you don't have one already.
2. Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code, as Copilot works within this IDE.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of January 2026, it's priced at $10/month after a free trial.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code (1 minute)

Download Visual Studio Code from here. Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension (2 minutes)

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot."
4. Click on "Install."

Expected output: You should see a confirmation that the extension has been successfully installed.

Step 3: Sign In to GitHub (2 minutes)

1. After installation, you’ll see a prompt to sign in to GitHub.
2. Click on the sign-in button and follow the authentication process.
3. Once signed in, you should see a message confirming that Copilot is ready to use.

Expected output: A small Copilot icon should appear in the bottom right corner of your VS Code window.

Step 4: Start Writing Code (3 minutes)

1. Open a new file or an existing project.
2. Begin typing a function or comment, and Copilot will automatically suggest code completions.

For example, start typing function add(a, b) and wait for the suggestion to appear.

Example Output:

function add(a, b) {
    return a + b;
}

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• No Suggestions: If you aren’t getting suggestions, ensure you're signed in and that the extension is enabled.
• Slow Response: Sometimes, network issues can slow down Copilot. Try restarting VS Code or your internet connection.

What's Next

Now that you have Copilot set up, try exploring its capabilities further. Here are some ideas:

• Experiment with different programming languages supported by Copilot.
• Check out the documentation for advanced usage tips.
• Consider integrating Copilot into your daily coding routine for improved productivity.

Conclusion: Start Here

Getting started with GitHub Copilot is quick and straightforward. In just 10 minutes, you can set it up and start enhancing your coding efficiency. If you’re serious about building your project, don’t underestimate the value of a good AI assistant.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we use GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and generating boilerplate code. It saves us time, but we still review its suggestions critically. Remember, it’s a tool, not a replacement for understanding your code.