How to Use GitHub Copilot to Improve Your Coding Skills in Just 30 Days

If you’re like most indie hackers or solo founders, you probably wish you could code faster and more efficiently. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that promises to make coding less daunting. However, using it effectively can feel overwhelming. In this guide, I’ll show you how to leverage GitHub Copilot over a 30-day period to genuinely improve your coding skills.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that suggests entire lines or blocks of code as you type. It's like having a pair of extra hands that can help you write code faster.

• Pricing: $10/month for individuals, $19/month for businesses. Free trial available.
• Best for: Developers looking for coding assistance, especially in unfamiliar languages or frameworks.
• Limitations: While it suggests code, it doesn’t guarantee correctness. You still need to know enough to spot errors.

Prerequisites for Using GitHub Copilot

Before diving into the 30-day improvement plan, make sure you have:

1. A GitHub account (free).
2. Visual Studio Code installed (free).
3. GitHub Copilot extension installed (free trial available).

Your 30-Day Plan to Improve Coding Skills with GitHub Copilot

Week 1: Familiarization and Basic Usage

Goal: Get comfortable with GitHub Copilot and understand its basic functionalities.

• Day 1-3: Install GitHub Copilot and explore the interface. Write simple functions and see how Copilot suggests code.
• Day 4-7: Start a small project, like a to-do list app. Use Copilot to generate boilerplate code and functions.

Expected Output: A basic functional to-do list app.

Week 2: Learning Through Exploration

Goal: Learn new coding patterns and libraries using Copilot.

• Day 8-10: Choose a new language or framework (like Python or React). Use Copilot to generate code snippets and comments.
• Day 11-14: Build a simple feature in your app using Copilot suggestions.

Expected Output: Incorporate new features into your app using unfamiliar libraries.

Week 3: Code Review and Refactoring

Goal: Understand the code that Copilot generates and learn to refactor.

• Day 15-17: Review the code suggested by Copilot. Understand why it suggests certain patterns.
• Day 18-21: Refactor some of the code. Use Copilot to help you improve the efficiency of your functions.

Expected Output: Cleaner, more efficient code in your app.

Week 4: Real-World Application and Advanced Features

Goal: Integrate Copilot into your daily coding workflow.

• Day 22-24: Work on a more complex feature or a new project, fully utilizing Copilot's suggestions.
• Day 25-30: Focus on testing and debugging. Use Copilot to write tests for your code.

Expected Output: A fully functional, well-tested application.

What Could Go Wrong

• Over-Reliance: Don’t let Copilot do all the thinking. Always validate its suggestions.
• Learning Curve: It may take some time to adjust to using Copilot effectively. Be patient and keep experimenting.

What's Next?

After this 30-day journey, you should feel more confident in your coding abilities. Consider:

• Exploring more advanced features of GitHub Copilot, like using it for documentation.
• Joining developer communities to share your experiences and learn from others.
• Continuing to build projects, using Copilot as a coding assistant rather than a crutch.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're ready to take your coding skills to the next level, start by signing up for GitHub Copilot and committing to this 30-day plan. You'll not only become more proficient but also gain insights into coding practices you may not have considered before.