How to Use GitHub Copilot to Boost Your Coding Speed in 2 Hours

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker juggling multiple projects, you know how precious your time is. Coding can often feel like a bottleneck, especially when you're up against tight deadlines. That's where GitHub Copilot comes in. This AI-powered code assistant can help you write code faster, but only if you know how to use it effectively. In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up GitHub Copilot in about 2 hours and start boosting your coding speed right away.

Prerequisites: What You Need

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

• A GitHub account (Free tier is sufficient)
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed on your computer
• GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/month as of 2026)
• Basic understanding of coding in JavaScript, Python, or another supported language

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install Visual Studio Code: If you haven’t already, download and install VS Code from the official site.
2. Install the GitHub Copilot Extension:
   • Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the sidebar, or pressing 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 on-screen instructions to authorize the extension.

Expected output: Once installed, you should see a Copilot icon in your VS Code status bar.

Step 2: Using GitHub Copilot Effectively

Coding with Copilot

1. Start Typing: As you write code, Copilot will suggest completions. These appear as ghost text.
2. Accept Suggestions: Press Tab to accept a suggestion or Esc to dismiss it.
3. Request More Suggestions: If you don’t like the first suggestion, you can press Ctrl + Enter to see alternative suggestions.

Real-World Use Cases

• Function Completion: Type the function name and parameters; Copilot will often fill in the body.
• Comment-Driven Development: Write a comment about the function you want, and Copilot can generate the code for you.

Step 3: Customize Your Workflow

Adjusting Copilot Settings

1. Open Settings: Go to File > Preferences > Settings (or Ctrl + ,).
2. Search for Copilot: You can customize how often suggestions appear and their behavior. For example, you can enable or disable inline suggestions.

Best Practices

• Keep Your Code Clean: Copilot can generate messy code. Always review suggestions before accepting them.
• Use Comments: The more descriptive your comments, the better Copilot can understand what you're trying to achieve.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• No Suggestions Appearing: Ensure you’re logged into GitHub and that your subscription is active.
• Inaccurate Suggestions: Sometimes, Copilot may suggest code that doesn’t fit your context. Be ready to tweak or rewrite parts of the code.

What’s Next: Leveling Up Your Skills

Now that you’re set up with GitHub Copilot, consider exploring other AI tools that can further enhance your coding experience. Here are a few to check out:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo Pro | Autocomplete for multiple languages | Lacks deep context understanding | We use this for additional context. | | Replit | Free + $7/mo Pro | Collaborative coding | Limited features in free tier | Great for quick prototyping. | | Codeium | Free | AI-powered code suggestions | May not support all languages | We haven’t tried this yet. | | Sourcery | $0-19/mo | Python code improvement | Python only | We use it to refactor code. | | Kite | Free + $16.60/mo Pro | JavaScript and Python | Fewer integrations than Copilot | We don’t use it because of limited language support. |

Conclusion: Start Here

To kick off your journey with GitHub Copilot and significantly boost your coding speed, follow the steps outlined above. In just 2 hours, you can have a powerful tool integrated into your workflow that helps you write code faster and smarter. Remember, the key is to actively engage with the tool—don’t just accept suggestions blindly.

If you’re looking to go deeper into AI coding tools or need more practical insights, check out our weekly podcast, Built This Week, where we share our experiences and what’s working for us in real-time.