How to Use GitHub Copilot for Efficient Code Reviews in 2026

If you've ever slogged through a long code review, you're not alone. Code reviews can be tedious, especially when you’re trying to ensure quality while racing against deadlines. Enter GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant that can help make your code review process not just faster, but smarter. In this guide, I'll show you how to leverage GitHub Copilot effectively for code reviews in just 45 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have:

• A GitHub account (free tier available)
• Visual Studio Code installed (free)
• GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/month for individuals)
• Basic familiarity with Git and GitHub

Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install GitHub Copilot:

   • Open Visual Studio Code.
   • Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) and search for "GitHub Copilot."
   • Click "Install" and follow the prompts to authenticate with your GitHub account.

2. Configure Settings:

   • Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and type "Copilot: Enable."
   • Adjust settings to your liking (e.g., inline suggestions, display style).

Using Copilot for Code Reviews

Step 1: Load the Pull Request

1. Navigate to your repository on GitHub and find the pull request (PR) you want to review.
2. Clone the branch locally using git checkout <branch-name>.

Step 2: Analyze the Changes

1. Open the files changed in the PR within Visual Studio Code.
2. As you scroll through the code, activate GitHub Copilot by typing // followed by your comment or question. For example:

   // What does this function do?
   

Step 3: Get Suggestions

1. Copilot will provide suggestions based on your comment. Review the suggestions and see if they clarify the code's purpose or highlight potential issues.
2. Accept or reject suggestions using the keyboard shortcuts (Tab to accept, Esc to reject).

Step 4: Suggest Improvements

1. If you spot areas for improvement, you can ask Copilot to suggest refactorings.

   // Can this function be optimized?
   

Step 5: Document Your Findings

1. Use Copilot to generate documentation for complex functions or modules.

   // Generate documentation for this function
   

2. Review the generated comments and adjust them as necessary.

Expected Outputs

• Improved clarity on complex code sections.
• Suggested refactorings that you can choose to implement.
• Documentation snippets that can be directly integrated into your codebase.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Copilot isn't suggesting anything: Ensure it’s enabled in your settings. Restart Visual Studio Code if necessary.
• Suggestions aren't relevant: Provide more context in your comments or try rephrasing your queries.

What’s Next?

Once you finish the code review, consider the following:

• Integrate feedback: Collaborate with the developer to implement suggestions.
• Train your team: Share your experiences using Copilot in code reviews to improve overall team productivity.
• Explore further: Look into Copilot's capabilities for writing tests or automating repetitive coding tasks.

Conclusion

Using GitHub Copilot for code reviews can significantly boost your efficiency and the quality of your feedback. By following this guide, you can streamline your review process and spend less time on mundane tasks.

What We Actually Use

In our day-to-day operations, we rely on GitHub Copilot for code reviews, especially when dealing with complex codebases. It saves us time and helps maintain high code quality, making it a staple in our workflow.