How to Use GitHub Copilot to Boost Your Coding Efficiency in Just 30 Minutes

As a solo founder or indie hacker, time is often your most valuable resource. You’re juggling multiple roles, and every minute spent coding can feel like a minute lost from building your product or finding your next customer. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to streamline your development process. But does it actually work? In this guide, I’ll show you how to leverage GitHub Copilot to boost your coding efficiency in just 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: Getting Started

Before diving in, here’s what you’ll need:

• A GitHub account (free)
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed on your machine
• GitHub Copilot subscription: $10/month or $100/year (as of February 2026)
• Basic familiarity with programming (this isn’t for complete beginners)

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot

1. Open Visual Studio Code: If you don’t have it, download it from here.
2. Install the GitHub Copilot extension:
   • 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 to GitHub: After installation, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your GitHub account. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Expected Output: You should see a confirmation message that GitHub Copilot is enabled.

Step 2: Write Your First Code with Copilot

Now that you have GitHub Copilot set up, let’s see it in action.

1. Create a new file: Start a new JavaScript or Python file.
2. Type a comment describing what you want to code. For example:

   // Function to calculate the factorial of a number
   

3. Look for suggestions: As you type, GitHub Copilot will automatically suggest code completions. You can accept a suggestion by pressing Tab.

Expected Output: Copilot should generate a complete function for calculating the factorial.

Step 3: Experiment with Different Scenarios

To really maximize your efficiency, try the following:

• Refactoring existing code: Paste a block of code and ask Copilot to improve it. Just type a comment like:

  // Refactor this code for better performance
  

• Generating unit tests: Write a comment about what you need and see how Copilot generates tests for you.

Expected Output: You should see improved code or unit tests generated based on your comments.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

1. Suggestions that don’t fit: Sometimes Copilot’s suggestions won’t make sense. Always review and modify the generated code.
2. Limitations in understanding complex logic: If your code involves intricate algorithms, Copilot might struggle to provide accurate suggestions.

What’s Next: Integrate Copilot into Your Workflow

Once you’re comfortable with Copilot, consider integrating it into your daily coding routine. Here are some ideas:

• Use Copilot for rapid prototyping of functions and features.
• Leverage it to write boilerplate code quickly.
• Experiment with different programming languages and frameworks to see how Copilot adapts.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to enhance your coding efficiency, GitHub Copilot is a solid investment. For just $10/month, you can save hours of coding time, especially if you frequently find yourself writing repetitive code. The key is to experiment with it and integrate it into your workflow effectively.

In our experience, we’ve found that Copilot truly shines during the initial coding phases and can help with quick iterations. However, always be vigilant about code quality and review the suggestions critically.

Get started with GitHub Copilot today and see how it can transform your coding experience!