How to Use GitHub Copilot for Faster Code Reviews in 30 Minutes

As a solo founder or indie hacker, time is your most precious resource. Code reviews can often feel like a black hole, sucking up hours that could be spent building or shipping. What if I told you that you could leverage GitHub Copilot to make this process not only faster but also more efficient? In this guide, I'll walk you through how you can use GitHub Copilot to streamline your code reviews in just 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: You'll need an active GitHub account to access repositories.
2. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial.
3. Visual Studio Code: The preferred IDE for using GitHub Copilot effectively.
4. A Codebase to Review: Ideally, a small project or a feature branch with some code changes.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code

1. Install Visual Studio Code: If you haven’t already, download and install VS Code from here.
2. Install the GitHub Copilot Extension: Go to the Extensions view in VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for GitHub Copilot, and click install.
3. Sign in to GitHub: After installing, you’ll need to authenticate with your GitHub account.

Expected Output: You should see a Copilot icon in your editor once it's set up.

Step 2: Navigating the Codebase

1. Open the Repository: Clone the repository you want to review and open it in VS Code.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Changes: Use the GitHub interface to see what files have changed and what the main features of the new code are.

Expected Output: A clear understanding of what to focus on during your review.

Step 3: Using Copilot for Code Suggestions

1. Start Reviewing: Go through the code line by line. When you hit a complex section, simply start typing a comment like // Review this function and let Copilot suggest improvements.
2. Accept or Modify Suggestions: Copilot will offer suggestions based on the context. You can accept them with Tab or modify them as needed.

Expected Output: Enhanced code quality and quicker identification of potential issues.

Step 4: Leveraging Copilot for Documentation

1. Generate Documentation: If you find a function that lacks documentation, you can type a comment like // Document this function and let Copilot generate a docstring for you.
2. Review and Edit: Make sure to review the auto-generated comments for accuracy.

Expected Output: Improved code documentation that’s ready for your team.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Misleading Suggestions: Sometimes Copilot can suggest code that isn’t relevant. Always verify suggestions against your project’s requirements.
• Over-reliance: Don’t let Copilot do all the work. Use it as a tool to enhance your review process, not replace your judgment.

What’s Next: Implementing a Continuous Review Process

1. Integrate Copilot into Your Workflow: Start using Copilot regularly for both code reviews and writing new features.
2. Gather Feedback from Your Team: Share your experiences and gather insights on how to improve the review process further.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to save time during code reviews, GitHub Copilot can be a game-changer. By following this guide, you should be able to incorporate Copilot into your workflow in just 30 minutes. Remember, the goal is to enhance your review process, not to replace your critical thinking.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for documentation and code review suggestions. While it’s not perfect, it significantly speeds up our workflow, allowing us to focus on building more.