How to Use GitHub Copilot to Boost Your Coding Speed by 50% in 2 Weeks

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. Every minute spent coding is a minute not spent on validating your idea, reaching out to users, or marketing your project. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to boost your coding speed. But does it really deliver? In this guide, I’ll share how to effectively use GitHub Copilot to improve your coding efficiency by 50% in just two weeks—based on our firsthand experience.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, here’s what you’ll need to set everything up:

1. GitHub Account: You’ll need an active GitHub account to access Copilot.
2. Visual Studio Code: Install the latest version of VS Code.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Pricing is $10/month or $100/year, which is reasonable for the value it provides.
4. Basic Coding Knowledge: Familiarity with JavaScript, Python, or your preferred language will help you get the most out of Copilot.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

You can finish this setup in about 30 minutes. Here’s how:

1. Install the GitHub Copilot Extension: Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view, and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".
2. Sign In: Once installed, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your GitHub account. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Enable Copilot: After signing in, enable Copilot in the settings. You can adjust preferences like inline suggestions and whole line completions.

Expected output: You should see Copilot suggesting code as you type.

Step 2: Practice Daily for Two Weeks

To really see a boost in your coding speed, commit to using Copilot daily for at least two hours. Here’s what to focus on:

• Focus on Repetitive Tasks: Use Copilot for boilerplate code, function definitions, and common algorithms. You’ll notice it can generate code snippets quickly without you needing to type everything out.
• Experiment with Prompts: The more context you provide, the better Copilot’s suggestions will be. If you're building a feature, write comments to describe what you want, and let Copilot do the heavy lifting.

Expected output: By the end of the first week, you should feel more comfortable with Copilot's suggestions.

Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Issues

While Copilot is powerful, it’s not perfect. Here’s what you could run into and how to solve it:

• Inaccurate Suggestions: Sometimes, Copilot may suggest irrelevant code. If this happens, try rephrasing your comments or providing more context.
• Over-reliance: Don’t become dependent on Copilot. It’s a tool to assist, not replace, your coding skills. Always review and understand the generated code.

What Could Go Wrong

• Integration Issues: If you’re using Copilot with complex frameworks or libraries, it might struggle to suggest relevant code. In these cases, rely on official documentation or community forums.
• Learning Curve: Initially, it might feel like you’re spending more time correcting Copilot’s suggestions. Stick with it; you’ll get faster at interpreting its outputs.

What's Next: Leveling Up Your Workflow

After two weeks, if you’ve seen improvements, consider these next steps:

• Explore Advanced Features: Look into Copilot Labs, which offers experimental features and improved suggestions.
• Integrate with Other Tools: Combine Copilot with tools like GitHub Actions for CI/CD or CodeQL for security checks to streamline your entire development process.

Conclusion: Start Here to Boost Your Coding Speed

In our experience, GitHub Copilot can genuinely increase your coding speed by 50% if you commit to using it effectively. Start by setting it up, practicing daily, and troubleshooting common issues. The initial investment in time and money pays off quickly in productivity gains.

What We Actually Use

While GitHub Copilot is our go-to for coding assistance, we also rely on tools like Notion for project management and Figma for design. Each tool has its strengths, but Copilot stands out for its coding capabilities.