How to Integrate GitHub Copilot for Faster Coding in 40 Minutes

As indie hackers and solo founders, we’re always looking for ways to maximize our productivity, especially when it comes to writing code. GitHub Copilot has become a popular tool in our toolkit, but integrating it effectively can feel daunting. The good news? You can get it set up in about 40 minutes. Let’s walk through how to integrate GitHub Copilot into your workflow so you can start coding faster.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before diving into the integration, make sure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up if you haven’t already.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Download and install it from here.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of 2026, Copilot costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial.
4. Basic Understanding of JavaScript or Python: This guide assumes you’re familiar with one of these languages.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

First, download and install VS Code from the official site. This IDE is popular among developers for its flexibility and extensibility.

• Time: 5 minutes
• Expected Output: A working installation of VS Code.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

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.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."

• Time: 5 minutes
• Expected Output: GitHub Copilot extension installed and ready to use.

Step 3: Sign In to GitHub

Once the extension is installed, you need to sign in to your GitHub account:

1. Click on the GitHub Copilot icon in the sidebar.
2. Follow the prompts to authorize VS Code with your GitHub account.

• Time: 5 minutes
• Expected Output: Successfully signed in and authorized.

Step 4: Configure GitHub Copilot Settings

To tailor GitHub Copilot to your coding style:

1. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P).
2. Type and select “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON).”
3. Add or modify the following settings:

{
  "github.copilot.enable": true,
  "github.copilot.suggestionDelay": 250
}

• Time: 5 minutes
• Expected Output: Copilot settings configured to your preference.

Step 5: Start Coding with GitHub Copilot

Now that everything is set up, let's test it out:

1. Create a new JavaScript or Python file.
2. Begin typing a function or comment. For example, type // Function to add two numbers.
3. Wait for Copilot to suggest code, and hit Tab to accept a suggestion.

• Time: 10 minutes
• Expected Output: Copilot should generate code based on your comments.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into issues:

• Copilot Not Suggesting Code: Ensure you’re signed in and the extension is enabled in your settings.
• Slow Suggestions: Adjust the suggestionDelay setting to a lower value.
• Limited Suggestions: Try typing more context in your comments for better results.

What's Next: Maximizing Your Use of Copilot

Once you’re comfortable with the integration, consider exploring other tools that complement GitHub Copilot:

Other AI Coding Tools to Consider

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Tabnine | Free + $12/mo Pro | AI code suggestions | Less integration with VS Code | We prefer Copilot for integration. | | Codeium | Free | Open-source projects | Limited language support | Worth trying for specific cases. | | Replit | Free + $20/mo Pro | Collaborative coding environments| Slower performance for large projects | We don’t use it for solo work. | | Sourcery | Free + $12/mo Pro | Python code improvement | Limited to Python | Good for Python, but we prefer Copilot. | | DeepCode | Free | Code review and suggestions | Limited to specific languages | Not as intuitive as Copilot. | | Kite | Free + $19.99/mo Pro | Python & JavaScript coding | Less effective than Copilot | We don’t use it anymore. |

What We Actually Use

In our day-to-day coding, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for its seamless integration with VS Code and its ability to understand context. For specific Python projects, we occasionally check Sourcery for code suggestions, but Copilot remains our go-to tool.

Conclusion: Start Here

To get started with GitHub Copilot, follow the steps above, which should take you about 40 minutes in total. By integrating Copilot, you can significantly speed up your coding process and focus more on building your projects.

For further insights into tools and strategies, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we share what we’re testing and building in public.