How to Use GitHub Copilot to Build a Simple App in 2 Hours
How to Use GitHub Copilot to Build a Simple App in 2026
If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that building an app can feel like a daunting task. With so many tools out there, it's easy to get lost in the noise. But what if I told you that you could leverage AI to speed up the development process? Enter GitHub Copilot, a tool that can help you write code faster and more efficiently. In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a simple app in just 2 hours using GitHub Copilot.
Time Estimate: 2 Hours
This entire process should take about 2 hours if you follow along closely and have the prerequisites set up.
Prerequisites
Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:
- A GitHub account (Free tier available)
- Visual Studio Code (Free)
- The GitHub Copilot extension for Visual Studio Code (Free tier + $10/mo for individual users)
- Basic understanding of JavaScript or Python (we'll use JavaScript for this tutorial)
Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment
-
Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code from here.
-
Install GitHub Copilot: In Visual Studio Code, go to Extensions (Ctrl + Shift + X) and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".
-
Sign in to GitHub: After installation, sign in to your GitHub account when prompted.
Expected Output: You should see a Copilot icon in the bottom right corner of your VS Code window.
Step 2: Create a New Project
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Open a New Folder: Create a new folder for your project and open it in Visual Studio Code.
-
Create an
index.jsFile: In your project folder, create a new file namedindex.js. -
Initialize a Basic HTML File: Create an
index.htmlfile with a simple HTML structure.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Simple App</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Simple App</h1>
<script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Expected Output: Open index.html in your browser, and you should see "Welcome to My Simple App".
Step 3: Use GitHub Copilot to Write Code
Now comes the fun part! Let’s start building the functionality of your app. For this example, we will create a simple to-do list.
- Start Coding: In the
index.jsfile, type a comment describing the functionality you want, like this:
// Create a function to add a to-do item
-
Let Copilot Suggest Code: GitHub Copilot will automatically suggest code. You can accept the suggestion by pressing
Tabor keep typing for more options. -
Implement the Functionality: Repeat this process for the following functions:
- Create a function to display the to-do list
- Create a function to remove a to-do item
- Add event listeners for user interaction
Expected Output: You should have a functioning to-do list that allows users to add and remove items.
Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong
-
No Suggestions from Copilot: Make sure you are connected to the internet and logged into GitHub within Visual Studio Code.
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Syntax Errors: If Copilot suggests code that doesn’t work, you can always modify it. Remember, it’s an assistant, not a replacement for your coding skills.
-
App Not Working: Double-check your HTML file to ensure the JavaScript file is linked correctly.
What's Next
Once you’ve built your simple app, consider deploying it using platforms like Vercel or Netlify. Both offer free tiers that are perfect for indie projects. You can also explore adding more features, like user authentication or a database to store your to-do items.
Conclusion: Start Here
Using GitHub Copilot can significantly reduce the time it takes to build a simple app. Get started today by setting up your environment and following the steps outlined above. With just a couple of hours, you can have a functional to-do list app and a better understanding of how to leverage AI in your coding workflow.
What We Actually Use
- Visual Studio Code: Free
- GitHub Copilot: $10/mo for individual users
- Vercel/Netlify: Free tier for deployment
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