How to Get Started with GitHub Copilot in 15 Minutes

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you're probably juggling multiple tasks and looking for ways to boost your productivity. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that promises to help you write code faster by providing AI-powered code suggestions. But how do you get started? In this guide, I'll walk you through setting up GitHub Copilot in just 15 minutes.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving in, ensure you have the following:

• GitHub Account: If you don't have one, sign up for free at GitHub.
• Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code if you haven’t already. GitHub Copilot is designed to work seamlessly with this code editor.
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of July 2026, Copilot is priced at $10/month or $100/year. There’s no free tier, but they offer a trial period for new users.

Step 1: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Navigate to Extensions: Click on the Extensions icon in the sidebar or use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+X.
3. Search for GitHub Copilot: Type "GitHub Copilot" in the search bar.
4. Install the Extension: Click on the Install button next to the GitHub Copilot extension.

Expected Output: After installation, you should see a Copilot icon in the sidebar.

Step 2: Sign In to Your GitHub Account

1. Open the Command Palette: Press Ctrl+Shift+P.
2. Type and Select "GitHub: Sign In": Follow the prompts to authenticate via your GitHub account.

Expected Output: A confirmation message indicating you’re successfully signed in.

Step 3: Start Coding with Copilot

1. Create a New File: Open a new file in VS Code and set the language (e.g., JavaScript, Python).
2. Begin Typing Code: Start typing a function or code snippet. For example, type function add(a, b).
3. Accept Suggestions: Copilot will suggest completions. You can accept a suggestion by pressing Tab.

Expected Output: Copilot should automatically fill in the rest of your function based on your input.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• No Suggestions Appearing: Ensure that you are signed into GitHub and that the extension is enabled.
• Slow Performance: This could be due to your internet connection. Copilot requires an active internet connection to provide suggestions.

What's Next? Progressing with GitHub Copilot

• Explore Advanced Features: Once you're comfortable with basic suggestions, try using Copilot for more complex tasks, like generating tests or refactoring code.
• Integrate with Other Tools: Consider using Copilot alongside version control tools like Git or project management tools to streamline your workflow.

Conclusion: Start Here

Getting started with GitHub Copilot is straightforward and can significantly speed up your coding process. In just 15 minutes, you can install the extension and start receiving AI-powered code suggestions.

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker looking to save time and enhance productivity, I recommend giving GitHub Copilot a try. Just keep in mind that it’s not perfect—sometimes the suggestions can be off or require adjustments. However, in our experience, it’s a powerful tool that can help you write code more efficiently.

Tool Comparison Table

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo, $100/yr | Code suggestions in VS Code | Requires internet, may suggest incorrect code | We use this for faster coding | | TabNine | $12/mo, $120/yr | Multi-language support | Limited free tier, less context-aware | We don’t use this because it’s less integrated | | Codeium | Free, Pro $19/mo | Collaborative coding | Pro version needed for advanced features | We haven't tried this yet | | Replit | Free, Pro $20/mo | Online coding environment | Limited to browser-based coding | We use this for quick prototypes | | DeepCode | Free, $10/mo for teams | Code quality analysis | Less focus on code suggestions | We don’t use this because it’s more for reviews |

What We Actually Use

In our tech stack, we primarily rely on GitHub Copilot for coding assistance, alongside Replit for quick experiments and TabNine for multi-language support. We find this combination helps us maintain productivity without overwhelming costs.