How to Use GitHub Copilot to Automate Your Coding in 2 Hours

If you’re a solo founder or side project builder like me, you know that time is your most precious resource. As a developer, there’s often a gap between the ideas you want to bring to life and the code you need to write to make them happen. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that promises to speed up your coding process by suggesting lines of code as you type. But does it actually work? Let’s dive in and see how you can set it up in just 2 hours and what you can realistically expect from it.

Prerequisites: What You’ll Need

Before we get started, here's what you'll need:

1. GitHub Account: If you don’t have one, sign up at github.com.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Install it from code.visualstudio.com.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Pricing is $10/month, or $100/year.
4. Basic Understanding of JavaScript or Python: This isn’t a deep dive into coding fundamentals, so some prior knowledge helps.
5. Two Hours: Set aside uninterrupted time to follow along.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install VS Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code if you haven't already.
2. Install GitHub Copilot Plugin:
   • Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side.
   • Search for “GitHub Copilot” and click “Install”.
3. Sign In: After installation, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your GitHub account. Make sure you have an active Copilot subscription.

Expected Output: You should see a welcome message indicating that Copilot is ready to assist you.

Step 2: Writing Your First Lines of Code with Copilot

1. Create a New File: Start a new JavaScript or Python file.
2. Begin Typing a Function: For example, type function calculateSum(a, b) { and hit enter. Copilot should suggest the rest of the function.
3. Accept Suggestions: Use the Tab key to accept suggestions or the arrow keys to view alternative suggestions.

Expected Output: You should see Copilot auto-generating the complete function based on your initial input.

Step 3: Automate Repetitive Tasks

1. Identify Repetitive Patterns: Think about tasks you frequently perform, such as data validation or API calls.
2. Write Comments: Write a comment describing what you want to achieve, e.g., // Validate user input.
3. Let Copilot Work: After the comment, hit enter. Copilot often generates a complete function that addresses the comment.

Expected Output: A fully functional block of code that you can use directly or modify as needed.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Unhelpful Suggestions: Sometimes Copilot misses the mark. If you find that the suggestions are off, try rephrasing your comment or providing more context in your code.
• Limited Language Support: While Copilot is great for popular languages like JavaScript and Python, its capabilities may wane with less common languages.

What’s Next: Scaling Your Coding Automation

Once you’ve got the hang of using GitHub Copilot, consider integrating it into your workflow for larger projects. Use it for:

• Code Reviews: Copilot can suggest improvements based on best practices.
• Documentation: Generate comments and documentation as you code.
• Learning: Use it to see how different coding patterns are implemented.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to enhance your coding efficiency and reduce the time spent on boilerplate code, GitHub Copilot is worth trying. In my experience, it’s not perfect, but it can significantly speed up many tasks. Just keep your expectations realistic—it’s a tool to assist, not replace your coding skills.

To get started, follow the steps outlined above. You can finish setting it up in about 2 hours and begin automating your coding tasks effectively.

What We Actually Use

For our projects at Built This Week, we actively use GitHub Copilot alongside tools like VS Code and Git for version control. It’s not a silver bullet, but it definitely helps us ship products faster.