How to Use GitHub Copilot to Increase Your Coding Speed in 2 Hours

As a founder or indie hacker, time is your most precious resource. You might find yourself coding late into the night, trying to bring your side project to life, only to feel like you're getting nowhere. Enter GitHub Copilot — an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to boost your coding speed and efficiency. But does it actually deliver? In this guide, I'll walk you through how to set it up and use it effectively in just two hours.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI tool developed by GitHub and OpenAI that helps you write code faster by suggesting code snippets and entire functions as you type. It learns from a vast dataset of code and can assist in various programming languages.

Pricing: As of 2026, GitHub Copilot costs $10 per month for individuals and $19 per user per month for teams.

Best for: Developers looking to speed up their coding process or learn new programming languages.

Limitations: It can sometimes suggest incorrect or insecure code, and it’s not a substitute for understanding what you’re building.

Our Take: We've been using GitHub Copilot for several months, and while it doesn’t replace the need for coding knowledge, it significantly reduces the time spent on boilerplate code.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, here’s what you need:

1. A GitHub account (free).
2. Visual Studio Code installed (free).
3. A basic understanding of the programming language you’ll be using.
4. GitHub Copilot subscription (you can start with a free trial).

Setting Up GitHub Copilot

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

If you don’t have it yet, download Visual Studio Code from the official site.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Navigate to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."

Step 3: Sign in to GitHub

Once installed, you'll need to authenticate with your GitHub account. Follow the prompts to log in and authorize Copilot.

Step 4: Start Coding

Open a new file and start typing. As you write, GitHub Copilot will suggest code. Use the Tab key to accept suggestions or Esc to dismiss them.

Step 5: Refine Suggestions

If you find that the suggestions aren’t quite right, you can cycle through multiple options by pressing Ctrl + ] or Ctrl + [ to see different variations.

Tips for Maximizing Coding Speed

Use Comments to Guide Copilot

One effective way to get better suggestions is to write comments describing what you want to achieve. For example:

// Function to calculate the factorial of a number
function factorial(n) {

This gives Copilot context, leading to more relevant suggestions.

Break Down Tasks

Instead of trying to write an entire function at once, break it down into smaller chunks. This not only helps Copilot provide better suggestions but also keeps your code organized.

Test Suggestions

Always test the code suggestions provided by Copilot. While it can be incredibly helpful, it may not always provide the best or safest solution.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Copilot Not Suggesting Code

• Check Your Subscription: Ensure that your Copilot subscription is active.
• Update Visual Studio Code: Sometimes updates can fix bugs.
• Restart VS Code: A simple restart can resolve many issues.

Suggestions Are Poor Quality

• Provide More Context: Comments and clear variable names can help Copilot understand what you need.
• Try Different Languages: If you’re not getting good suggestions, switch to a language that Copilot supports better.

What's Next?

Once you’ve set up GitHub Copilot and started using it, consider exploring other tools that can complement your coding workflow, such as:

• Prettier for code formatting.
• ESLint for code linting.
• Postman for API testing.

Conclusion: Start Here

To truly increase your coding speed with GitHub Copilot, spend the first two hours setting it up and experimenting with its features. Use the tips provided to maximize its potential. Remember, Copilot is a tool to assist you, but it’s not a replacement for your coding skills.

If you're ready to dive in and supercharge your coding efficiency, give GitHub Copilot a try today.