How to Use GitHub Copilot to Cut Coding Time by 50% in 30 Days

As a solo founder or indie hacker, time is your most valuable resource. You might find yourself spending hours on repetitive coding tasks, debugging, or figuring out how to implement certain features. What if I told you that you could cut your coding time by 50% in just 30 days using GitHub Copilot? This AI-powered coding assistant can help speed up your development process significantly, but only if you know how to use it effectively. Let’s dive into the actionable steps you can take to maximize your productivity with GitHub Copilot.

Prerequisites: Getting Started with GitHub Copilot

Before you can start slashing your coding time, you'll need a few things set up:

1. GitHub Account: You need a GitHub account to access Copilot.
2. IDE Support: GitHub Copilot works with Visual Studio Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Neovim. Make sure you have one of these installed.
3. Copilot Subscription: The subscription costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial. This is a small investment for potentially huge time savings.

Step 1: Set Up GitHub Copilot

• Install the Extension: Go to your IDE's marketplace and install the GitHub Copilot extension.
• Sign In: Log into your GitHub account to enable Copilot.
• Configure Settings: Go to the extension settings and adjust the suggestions to your preference. You can choose to receive suggestions for entire functions or just snippets.

Expected Output: Within a few minutes, you should see Copilot offering code suggestions as you type.

Step 2: Start Small - Use Copilot for Repetitive Tasks

To get accustomed to Copilot, start using it for repetitive coding tasks. For example, if you often write boilerplate code, Copilot can generate it for you.

• Example: If you need to create a REST API, start typing a function definition, and Copilot will suggest the entire structure.

Expected Output: You could generate an entire function in seconds instead of manually writing out each line.

Step 3: Leverage Copilot for Learning New Libraries

Instead of spending hours reading documentation, you can ask Copilot to show you how to use a library or framework.

• Example: Type // Using Axios to fetch data and let Copilot suggest the code.

Expected Output: You’ll not only get the code but also understand how the library works through Copilot's suggestions.

Step 4: Debugging with Copilot

Debugging can be time-consuming. Use Copilot to help identify errors or suggest fixes.

• Example: If you encounter an error, describe the issue in a comment like // Error: TypeError, and see what Copilot suggests.

Expected Output: Copilot can help you quickly find the fix or alternative methods to resolve the error.

Step 5: Review and Iterate

After implementing suggestions, spend time reviewing the code to ensure it meets your standards. You’ll learn a lot from this process.

• Feedback Loop: Use what works and discard what doesn’t. This will help you fine-tune how you interact with Copilot.

Expected Output: You’ll become more adept at using Copilot and will see your coding speed improve.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Suggestions Aren’t Relevant: If Copilot isn’t providing useful suggestions, try being more descriptive in your comments.
2. Performance Lag: Occasionally, Copilot may lag. Restarting your IDE can help.

What’s Next: Advanced Techniques and Continuous Learning

Once you're comfortable using Copilot, explore advanced features like customizing your coding style and integrating it with CI/CD tools.

• Continuous Learning: Keep up with updates to Copilot, as GitHub is constantly improving the AI.

Conclusion: Start Here to Slash Your Coding Time

In our experience, GitHub Copilot can significantly reduce coding time if you approach it with a structured plan. Start by setting it up, using it for repetitive tasks, and gradually incorporating it into your workflow for debugging and learning new libraries.

Recommendation: Commit to using GitHub Copilot daily for 30 days. Monitor your productivity, and you’ll likely see a drastic reduction in the time spent coding.

What We Actually Use

While GitHub Copilot is our go-to for coding assistance, we also use tools like Postman for API testing and Trello for project management. It's all about finding the right mix that complements Copilot's capabilities.