How to Use GitHub Copilot to Improve Your Code in 60 Minutes

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that coding can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating task. Enter GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant that promises to help you write code faster and with fewer errors. But does it really deliver? In just 60 minutes, I’ll show you how to effectively use GitHub Copilot to enhance your coding workflow, backed by real experiences and honest trade-offs.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• GitHub Account: You’ll need an account to access GitHub Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is the IDE where you'll use Copilot. Download it if you haven't already.
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of April 2026, GitHub Copilot costs $10 per month after a free trial period.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install it from the official website.
2. Add GitHub Copilot Extension: Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X), and search for "GitHub Copilot". Install it.
3. Sign In: Once installed, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your GitHub account. Follow the instructions to authenticate.

Expected Output: You should see a Copilot icon in the bottom right corner of VS Code once you're signed in.

Step 2: Writing Your First Code with Copilot

Now that you have everything set up, let’s write some code.

1. Create a New File: Open a new JavaScript or Python file in VS Code.
2. Start Typing a Function: For example, type function calculateSum(a, b) and hit enter. Copilot will automatically suggest a function body.
3. Accept Suggestions: If you like the suggestion, hit Tab to accept it. If not, you can cycle through alternatives by pressing Ctrl+Alt+\ (or Cmd+Alt+\ on Mac).

Expected Output: You should have a complete function generated by Copilot.

Step 3: Improving Existing Code

Copilot is also great for improving existing code. Here’s how:

1. Open a Project: Load an existing project in VS Code.
2. Select Code to Refactor: Highlight a block of code that you think could be improved.
3. Ask for Suggestions: Type a comment above the code like // Refactor this code and let Copilot suggest improvements.

Expected Output: Copilot will provide alternative implementations that may be more efficient or cleaner.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Inaccurate Suggestions: Sometimes Copilot gets it wrong. Always double-check the generated code.
• Integration Issues: If Copilot isn’t responding, ensure your internet connection is stable and that you're logged into GitHub.

What's Next: Leveraging Copilot for Advanced Use Cases

Once you’ve grasped the basics, consider using Copilot for more complex tasks:

• Documentation: Try using Copilot to generate comments and documentation for your code.
• Testing: Write unit tests by prompting Copilot with comments like // Write tests for this function.

Conclusion: Start Here

GitHub Copilot can significantly improve your coding efficiency in just 60 minutes. While it's not perfect and may require some oversight, the benefits of faster coding and improved quality are hard to ignore. If you’re looking to streamline your coding process, start by setting up GitHub Copilot today.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, GitHub Copilot has become an essential part of our coding toolkit. We rely on it for generating boilerplate code and quick fixes, saving us countless hours on our side projects.