How to Use GitHub Copilot to Boost Your Coding Speed in Just 2 Weeks

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker, you know how precious your time is. Coding takes time, and when you’re juggling multiple tasks, every minute counts. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to significantly boost your coding speed. But does it really deliver? I spent two weeks diving deep into Copilot to see if it lives up to the hype. Here’s what I learned.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that suggests code snippets and functions as you type. It’s like having a pair of extra hands (or a super-smart intern) that can help you write code faster.

• Pricing: $10/month or $100/year after a free trial.
• Best for: Developers looking to speed up repetitive coding tasks.
• Limitations: It can struggle with complex logic and may not always provide the most efficient solutions.
• Our take: We use this for boilerplate code and repetitive tasks, but we still verify its suggestions.

Prerequisites to Get Started

Before diving in, here’s what you need:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up for a free account if you don’t have one.
2. Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code, as Copilot integrates seamlessly with it.
3. Copilot Extension: Install the GitHub Copilot extension from the VS Code marketplace.

Step-by-Step Guide to Boosting Your Coding Speed

Week 1: Familiarizing Yourself with Copilot

Day 1-3: Basic Usage

• Start coding simple functions and see what Copilot suggests.
• Use it for common tasks like creating classes, functions, or even documentation.

Expected Output: You should notice that Copilot can fill in boilerplate code, allowing you to focus on the unique parts of your project.

Day 4-5: Testing Limitations

• Push Copilot’s boundaries by asking it to generate more complex functions.
• Analyze its suggestions and note where it falls short.

Expected Output: Identify areas where Copilot's suggestions are not usable or require significant tweaking.

Week 2: Integrating Copilot into Your Workflow

Day 6-7: Advanced Features

• Experiment with Copilot’s ability to suggest entire file structures or multiple functions at once.
• Utilize comments to guide Copilot on what you want it to do.

Day 8-10: Real Project Implementation

• Start a small real project (like a personal tool or side project) using Copilot heavily.
• Track your coding speed compared to previous projects without Copilot.

Expected Output: You should be able to complete tasks faster, with a noticeable drop in time spent on repetitive coding.

Troubleshooting Section

• What could go wrong: Copilot may suggest outdated libraries or inefficient code.
• Solutions: Always validate suggestions, especially for critical logic.

What’s Next?

After two weeks, if you’ve seen improvements in your coding speed, consider integrating Copilot into your regular workflow. Use it for routine tasks, and don’t hesitate to combine it with other tools for maximum efficiency.

Comparison of AI Coding Tools

While GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool, it’s not the only option out there. Here’s a quick comparison of AI coding tools.

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Speeding up repetitive tasks| May suggest inefficient code | Great for boilerplate code. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo | Autocompletion based on context| Limited language support | Good for JavaScript projects. | | Replit Ghostwriter | $20/mo | Collaborative coding | Less robust than Copilot | Useful for pair programming. | | Sourcery | Free tier + $19/mo | Code review and suggestions | Limited to Python | Excellent for Python devs. | | Codeium | Free | General code suggestions | Fewer integrations | Great entry point for beginners.| | AI21 Studio | $0-49/mo | Natural language tasks | Not focused on coding | Interesting for non-coders. |

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to boost your coding speed, GitHub Copilot is worth the investment. Start with the free trial and spend two weeks integrating it into your workflow. Focus on repetitive tasks and test its limits. You’ll likely find that it saves you time, allowing you to focus on building your projects instead of getting bogged down in the code.