How to Use GitHub Copilot for Faster Code Reviews (2026)

As indie hackers and solo founders, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles, and code reviews can feel like a time sink. You want to ensure code quality, but the repetitive nature of reviewing can lead to burnout. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered tool that promises to make code reviews faster and more efficient. In this guide, I’ll share how to use GitHub Copilot effectively in your code review process, including practical tips, limitations, and what has worked for us.

Time Estimate and Prerequisites

You can set up GitHub Copilot for code reviews in about 30 minutes. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A GitHub account
• A subscription to GitHub Copilot (pricing details below)
• Basic familiarity with Git and pull requests

Setting Up GitHub Copilot for Code Reviews

1. Install GitHub Copilot

To get started, you'll need to install GitHub Copilot in your development environment. This typically involves:

• VS Code Extension: Go to the Extensions view in VS Code, search for "GitHub Copilot," and click "Install."
• Authentication: Follow the prompts to authenticate your GitHub account.

2. Create a Pull Request

Before you can use Copilot for code reviews, you’ll need a pull request (PR) to review. Here’s how to create one:

• Push your changes to a branch in your repository.
• Navigate to your repository on GitHub and click on "Pull requests."
• Click on "New pull request," select your branch, and create the PR.

3. Enable GitHub Copilot Suggestions

Once your PR is created, you can start using GitHub Copilot to assist with your code review:

• Open the files in the PR, and as you scroll through the code, Copilot will offer suggestions.
• Pay attention to inline comments and suggestions that Copilot generates. These can provide insights into potential improvements or highlight issues.

4. Review Suggestions

Evaluate the suggestions provided by Copilot. Here’s what to look for:

• Code Quality: Does the suggestion improve readability or performance?
• Best Practices: Is Copilot suggesting idiomatic code for your language?
• Security: Are there any potential vulnerabilities highlighted?

5. Provide Feedback

As a best practice, provide feedback on Copilot’s suggestions. This can be done by:

• Accepting or rejecting suggestions directly in the IDE.
• Adding comments on the PR to document your thoughts on the suggestions.

6. Finalize the Review

Once you’ve gone through the suggestions and made any necessary changes, finalize your code review. Merge the PR if everything looks good.

Limitations of GitHub Copilot

While GitHub Copilot can significantly speed up code reviews, it’s not without limitations:

• Context Awareness: Copilot can sometimes miss the broader context of your codebase, leading to irrelevant suggestions.
• Accuracy: The suggestions may not always follow the best practices or might introduce bugs, so always double-check.
• Cost: GitHub Copilot is priced at $10/month for individuals and $19/month for businesses, which might be a consideration for solo founders.

Pricing Breakdown for GitHub Copilot

| Feature | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo (individual) | Code reviews, coding help| Context awareness issues, potential inaccuracies| We use it to speed up reviews but verify outputs. |

What We Actually Use

In our experience, GitHub Copilot has become a staple in our code review process. However, we also complement it with manual reviews and tools like CodeClimate for deeper insights into code quality.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to streamline your code review process, I recommend starting with GitHub Copilot. Install it, set it up with your GitHub account, and integrate it into your workflow. Just remember to review its suggestions critically; it’s a tool to enhance your reviews, not replace them.

For more insights into building in public and using tools like GitHub Copilot effectively, check out our weekly podcast at Built This Week.