How to Use GitHub Copilot to Generate Code in 30 Minutes

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. Writing code can often feel like a black hole for productivity. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI pair programmer designed to help you generate code faster. But can it really save you time, or is it just hype? In this guide, I’ll show you how to effectively use GitHub Copilot to generate code in just 30 minutes, based on our real experiences.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving into Copilot, make sure you have the following:

1. GitHub Account: Sign up at github.com.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Download and install it from code.visualstudio.com.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Pricing is $10/month after a 60-day free trial, which is a solid deal for indie builders.
4. Basic Programming Knowledge: Familiarity with the programming language you intend to use is helpful.

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot

1. Open VS Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."
4. Log in to your GitHub account when prompted.

Expected Output: You should see Copilot suggestions as you start typing code.

Step 2: Start Coding with Copilot

1. Create a new file in your preferred programming language (e.g., JavaScript, Python).
2. Begin typing a comment describing what you want to achieve. For example, “// Function to calculate the factorial of a number.”
3. Wait for Copilot to suggest code. You can accept the suggestion by pressing the Tab key.

Expected Output: Copilot will generate a function based on your comment.

Step 3: Iteratively Refine Your Code

1. If the initial suggestion isn’t quite right, modify your comment or add more details. For instance, “// Function to calculate the factorial of a number using recursion.”
2. Accept the new suggestion or tweak it further as needed.

Expected Output: A more refined version of the code that fits your requirements.

Step 4: Testing Your Code

1. Run your code in the terminal to see if it works as expected.
2. If there are errors, review the suggestions and adjust accordingly.

Expected Output: A working function that you can integrate into your project.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Incorrect Suggestions: Sometimes, Copilot may generate code that doesn't fit your needs perfectly. Always double-check the logic.
• Language Limitations: Copilot works better with popular languages. If you’re using something obscure, the suggestions may not be as useful.
• Subscription Costs: If you decide to stick with it after the free trial, remember that it’s $10/month. Make sure it fits into your budget.

What's Next: Leveling Up Your Coding Efficiency

Once you’ve mastered the basics of using Copilot, consider exploring these advanced features:

• Code Review: Use Copilot to suggest improvements on existing code.
• Documentation: Generate comments and documentation for your code automatically.
• Integrations: Look into how Copilot can work with other tools in your stack for enhanced productivity.

Conclusion: Start Here

In our experience, GitHub Copilot can genuinely save you time in generating code, but it's essential to understand its limitations. It’s a fantastic tool for speeding up repetitive tasks and brainstorming code snippets. If you have a budget for it, I recommend giving it a try after the free trial.

What We Actually Use

For our projects at Built This Week, we heavily rely on GitHub Copilot for quick prototyping and code generation. It’s particularly useful for generating boilerplate code, though we always validate its output to ensure it meets our standards.