How to Use GitHub Copilot to Generate Code Documentation in 15 Minutes

As indie hackers and side project builders, we often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks, and writing code documentation can be one of the most tedious. Many of us want to focus on building, not documenting. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered code completion tool that can help streamline this process. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use GitHub Copilot to generate code documentation quickly, giving you back those precious minutes.

Prerequisites: What You’ll Need

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• GitHub Copilot: You’ll need an active subscription. Pricing is $10/month or $100/year for individuals.
• Codebase: A small project or code snippet that you want to document.
• IDE Support: GitHub Copilot works with Visual Studio Code, Neovim, JetBrains IDEs, and more.

Step-by-Step Guide to Generate Documentation

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot

If you haven’t done so already, install the GitHub Copilot extension in your IDE. This process takes about 5 minutes.

• For Visual Studio Code: Go to Extensions, search for “GitHub Copilot,” and click install.

Step 2: Prepare Your Code

Open the file you want to document. Make sure your code is clean and structured; Copilot works best with well-written code.

Step 3: Start Commenting

Begin by writing a short comment about the function or module you want to document. For example:

// This function calculates the sum of two numbers

Step 4: Let Copilot Do Its Magic

After your comment, press Enter and watch Copilot suggest documentation. You can accept its suggestion by pressing Tab.

Expected output might look like this:

/**
 * Calculates the sum of two numbers.
 * @param {number} a - The first number.
 * @param {number} b - The second number.
 * @returns {number} The sum of a and b.
 */
function sum(a, b) {
    return a + b;
}

Step 5: Review and Edit

Always review the generated documentation for accuracy and completeness. Copilot is smart, but it’s not infallible. Editing may take an additional 5 minutes.

Step 6: Repeat as Needed

Continue this process for all functions or modules in your codebase. In total, you should be able to complete this in about 15 minutes for a small project.

What Could Go Wrong

• Inaccurate Documentation: Sometimes, Copilot might misinterpret your code. Double-check that the generated comments accurately reflect your code's purpose.
• Limited Context: If your code is too complex or lacks clarity, Copilot might struggle to generate useful comments.

Pricing Breakdown

Here’s a quick overview of GitHub Copilot pricing:

| Plan | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | Individual | $10/mo or $100/yr| Solo developers | May not handle complex code well | We use this for quick docs | | Business | $19/user/mo | Teams and organizations | Higher cost, but offers team features| Great for collaborative work |

Limitations of GitHub Copilot

While GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool, it’s not perfect. It may struggle with:

• Highly Specialized Code: If your codebase uses niche libraries or frameworks, the suggestions might not always align with best practices.
• Contextual Understanding: Copilot doesn’t understand the broader context of your project, which can lead to inaccuracies in documentation.

What We Actually Use

For our documentation needs, we primarily rely on GitHub Copilot for its speed and efficiency. However, we still take the time to manually verify each generated comment to ensure quality.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to speed up your documentation process, GitHub Copilot is a solid choice. It can save you time and help you focus on building your product. Start by installing the extension and try generating documentation for a small code snippet. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it becomes.