How to Use GitHub Copilot to Boost Your Coding Efficiency in Just 2 Hours

If you’re a solo founder or side project builder, you know the struggle of balancing coding with all the other demands on your time. There’s a constant pressure to ship faster, yet debugging and writing code can feel like an endless cycle of frustration. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that can help streamline your coding process and save you valuable time. In this guide, I’ll show you how to get started with GitHub Copilot in just two hours, and we'll explore its strengths and limitations.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that suggests entire lines or blocks of code as you write. It’s like having a pair of extra hands that can anticipate your coding needs based on the context of what you’re working on. This can significantly speed up your development process.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have the following ready:

• A GitHub account (Free)
• Visual Studio Code installed (Free)
• GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/mo or $100/yr)

Getting Started with GitHub Copilot

Step 1: Installing GitHub Copilot

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X).
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click on "Install."
4. Sign in with your GitHub account when prompted.

Expected output: You should see a new Copilot icon in the sidebar, indicating that it’s ready to assist.

Step 2: Configuring Your Settings

1. Open Settings (File > Preferences > Settings).
2. Search for "Copilot" to adjust preferences like suggestion frequency and inline suggestions.
3. Enable or disable features based on your comfort level.

Expected output: A personalized Copilot experience that aligns with your coding style.

Step 3: Writing Code with Copilot

1. Create a new file and start typing a function or a comment describing what you want to do.
2. Watch as Copilot suggests code in real-time.
3. Accept suggestions by pressing Tab or modify them as needed.

Expected output: Copilot should provide relevant code snippets that you can use or adapt.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Copilot isn’t suggesting anything: Ensure you’re connected to the internet and that your subscription is active.
• Suggestions are irrelevant: Try providing more context in your comments or function definitions. The clearer you are, the better Copilot performs.

Limitations of GitHub Copilot

While GitHub Copilot is powerful, it’s not without its flaws:

• Contextual Limitations: It may struggle with complex logic or niche programming languages.
• Code Quality: Not all suggestions will be optimal or secure, so always review what it generates.
• Dependency on Internet: You need a stable internet connection for it to function.

In our experience, we've found that Copilot excels in generating boilerplate code but can falter in unique, complex scenarios.

What We Actually Use

We incorporate GitHub Copilot into our daily coding routine, but we also rely on other tools to complement its capabilities. Here’s a quick rundown of our stack:

| Tool | What It Does | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | AI code suggestions | $10/mo | Quick code generation | Contextual limitations | Great for speeding up coding | | ESLint | Code quality and linting | Free | Ensuring code quality | May require configuration | Essential for clean code | | Prettier | Code formatting | Free | Consistent code style | Limited to formatting | A must-have for readability | | Postman | API testing | Free tier + $12/mo pro | API development | Can get complex with large APIs | Useful for backend work | | Figma | UI/UX design | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Prototyping | Not a coding tool | Excellent for design |

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to boost your coding efficiency, GitHub Copilot is a solid choice to explore. In just two hours, you can get it set up and integrated into your workflow. Start with the basics outlined in this guide, and gradually explore its features as you get comfortable.

To get the most out of your coding sessions, combine Copilot with other tools that enhance productivity and code quality.

For a deeper dive into the tools we use and the lessons we've learned along the way, check out our weekly podcast, Built This Week, where we share insights from our building journey.