How to Use GitHub Copilot to Build Your First App in Under 3 Hours
How to Use GitHub Copilot to Build Your First App in Under 3 Hours
Building your first app can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to coding. The good news? With tools like GitHub Copilot, you can get up and running with a functioning app in under three hours—even if you’re a total beginner. In 2026, AI coding assistants are more capable than ever, and GitHub Copilot is at the forefront of this movement.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start
Before diving into the coding, you'll need a few things set up:
- GitHub Account: Sign up for a free account if you don’t have one already.
- Visual Studio Code: Download and install this code editor.
- GitHub Copilot Extension: Subscribe to GitHub Copilot, which costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial.
- Basic Understanding of JavaScript: While Copilot helps a lot, knowing some basics will be beneficial.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment (30 Minutes)
- Install Visual Studio Code: If you haven't already, download and install it from here.
- Add GitHub Copilot: Go to Extensions in VS Code, search for "GitHub Copilot", and install it.
- Authenticate GitHub Copilot: Follow the prompts to log in to your GitHub account and authorize Copilot.
Expected Output: After installation, you should see a Copilot icon in your editor.
Step 2: Define Your App Idea (15 Minutes)
Take a moment to think about what kind of app you want to build. For this tutorial, let’s say we’re creating a simple “To-Do List” app. This will involve basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.
Tip: Keep it simple! Your first app doesn’t need to be complex.
Step 3: Start Coding with Copilot (1 Hour)
3.1 Create Your Project Structure
- Open VS Code.
- Create a new folder for your project called
TodoApp. - Inside this folder, create three files:
index.html,style.css, andapp.js.
3.2 Use GitHub Copilot to Generate Code
In index.html, start typing:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Todo App</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
<h1>My To-Do List</h1>
<input type="text" id="taskInput" placeholder="Add a new task">
<button id="addTaskBtn">Add Task</button>
<ul id="taskList"></ul>
<script src="app.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
As you type, Copilot will suggest completions. Accept the suggestions that fit your needs.
3.3 Style Your App
In style.css, you can add basic styles. Start typing to get Copilot’s suggestions:
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
background-color: #f4f4f4;
}
3.4 Implement Functionality in app.js
In app.js, start coding the app’s logic. For example:
const addTaskBtn = document.getElementById('addTaskBtn');
const taskInput = document.getElementById('taskInput');
const taskList = document.getElementById('taskList');
addTaskBtn.onclick = function() {
const taskText = taskInput.value;
const li = document.createElement('li');
li.textContent = taskText;
taskList.appendChild(li);
taskInput.value = '';
};
Expected Output: You should now have a basic to-do app that lets you add tasks.
Step 4: Testing Your App (30 Minutes)
- Open
index.htmlin your browser. - Test adding tasks to see if everything works as expected.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Copilot doesn’t suggest anything: Make sure you’re logged in and that the extension is enabled.
- Code doesn’t work: Double-check for typos or syntax errors.
Step 5: Deploy Your App (30 Minutes)
You can deploy your app using GitHub Pages:
- Push your project to a new GitHub repository.
- Go to the repository settings and enable GitHub Pages under the "Pages" section.
- Choose the main branch and save.
Expected Output: Your app is now live at https://<your-username>.github.io/<your-repo-name>.
What's Next?
Now that you’ve built and deployed your first app, consider adding more features, such as editing and deleting tasks. Explore other tools that can enhance your app, like Firebase for data storage.
Conclusion: Start Here
To make the most of GitHub Copilot, keep building simple projects and iterating on them. This tool can significantly speed up your coding process, but it’s essential to understand the code it generates.
In our experience, GitHub Copilot is a solid choice for beginners looking to learn by doing. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great starting point that can boost your confidence as you dive into coding.
What We Actually Use
We use GitHub Copilot for quick prototyping and getting unstuck on tricky code. However, we still rely on foundational knowledge to ensure we’re building robust applications.
Follow Our Building Journey
Weekly podcast episodes on tools we're testing, products we're shipping, and lessons from building in public.