How to Use GitHub Copilot for Your First Python Project in 2026

Getting started with Python can feel overwhelming, especially if you're a solo founder or indie hacker trying to build something from scratch. You want to code, but you also want to avoid spending hours searching for solutions online. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that can significantly speed up your coding process. In this guide, I’ll walk you through using GitHub Copilot for your first Python project in just 2 hours. Let’s dive in!

Time Estimate and Prerequisites

You can finish this project in about 2 hours if you follow these steps closely. Before you start, make sure you have:

• A GitHub account: You’ll need this to access Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is where you’ll write your code. Download it here.
• GitHub Copilot subscription: This costs $10/month or $100/year after a 60-day free trial.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code if you haven't already.
2. Install GitHub Copilot:
   • Open VS Code and go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X).
   • Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."
3. Sign in to GitHub: After installation, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your GitHub account. Follow the instructions to authenticate.

Step 2: Starting Your Python Project

1. Create a New Project Folder:
   • Open a terminal in VS Code and create a new directory for your project:

     mkdir my-python-project
     cd my-python-project
     

2. Create a New Python File:
   • Inside your project folder, create a new file called main.py.

Step 3: Coding with GitHub Copilot

Writing Your First Function

1. Start by typing a comment that describes what you want to do. For example:

   # Function to calculate the factorial of a number
   

2. After typing the comment, press Enter. GitHub Copilot will suggest code automatically. Accept the suggestion by pressing Tab.

Example Function

Here’s what the code might look like after Copilot suggests it:

def factorial(n):
    if n == 0:
        return 1
    else:
        return n * factorial(n - 1)

Adding More Features

Continue using comments to guide Copilot as you add more features. For instance, if you want a function to calculate the Fibonacci sequence, type:

# Function to calculate the Fibonacci sequence

Copilot will generate the code for you.

Step 4: Testing Your Code

1. Run Your Code:
   • Open the terminal and run your Python script:

     python main.py
     

2. Debugging: If something doesn’t work, use the error messages as clues. Copilot can help you fix bugs by suggesting corrections.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Copilot Not Suggesting Code: Ensure you have an active internet connection and are logged in to GitHub.
2. Inaccurate Code Suggestions: Sometimes, Copilot might suggest suboptimal solutions. Don’t hesitate to adjust the code manually or ask it for alternatives.

What's Next?

Now that you've built a simple Python project with GitHub Copilot, consider expanding your project by:

• Adding more functionalities.
• Integrating external libraries (like NumPy or Pandas).
• Deploying your project using platforms like Heroku.

Conclusion: Start Here

Using GitHub Copilot can drastically reduce the time it takes to get your first Python project off the ground. With just a bit of setup, you can leverage this AI-powered tool to help you write code faster and more efficiently. If you’re building a side project or just learning Python, I highly recommend giving it a try.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we use GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and initial drafts of code. However, we often refine the suggestions to ensure quality and performance.