How to Use GitHub Copilot to Increase Your Coding Speed in 30 Minutes

As a solo founder or indie hacker, time is a precious commodity. We all know the struggle of staring at a blank screen, trying to figure out how to implement a feature or debug an issue, and it can feel like you're stuck in quicksand. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that promises to help you code faster by suggesting whole lines or blocks of code based on what you're currently working on. But does it actually deliver? In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to effectively use GitHub Copilot in just 30 minutes to boost your coding speed.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, here’s what you’ll need:

1. GitHub Account: You need a GitHub account to access Copilot.
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is the IDE where Copilot works best.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription:
   • Pricing: $10/month, with a free trial for the first 30 days.
4. Basic Coding Knowledge: Familiarity with at least one programming language (like JavaScript, Python, etc.).

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install Visual Studio Code: If you haven’t already, download and install VS Code from here.
2. Install GitHub Copilot Extension:
   • Open VS Code.
   • Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X).
   • Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click install.
3. Sign In: Once installed, you'll be prompted to sign into your GitHub account. Follow the prompts to authorize Copilot.

Expected output: You should see a "Copilot" icon in the bottom right corner of VS Code indicating it's active.

Step 2: Using GitHub Copilot

1. Start Coding: Open a new file or an existing project where you want to implement features.
2. Write a Comment: Type a comment that describes what you want to do. For example, // function to calculate factorial.
3. Trigger Suggestions:
   • As you start typing the function, Copilot will automatically suggest code. You can accept suggestions by pressing Tab.
4. Iterate and Refine: If the first suggestion isn’t quite right, you can cycle through alternatives using Ctrl + ] or Ctrl + [.

Expected Output

You’ll see Copilot generating code snippets that align with your comments and typing.

Step 3: Troubleshooting Common Issues

What Could Go Wrong

• Irrelevant Suggestions: Sometimes, Copilot may provide irrelevant suggestions. This often happens if your comment is vague.

  • Solution: Be specific in your comments. Instead of // function to sort array, try // function to sort an array of integers in ascending order.

• Functionality Gaps: Copilot may not understand complex libraries or frameworks.

  • Solution: Supplement Copilot's suggestions with your knowledge of the library.

What's Next

After you’ve spent 30 minutes getting familiar with Copilot, consider the following:

• Test it on Real Projects: Use Copilot on your actual projects to see how it performs under pressure.
• Explore Advanced Features: Check out Copilot Labs for experimental features that could further enhance your coding experience.

Additional Tools to Consider

While GitHub Copilot is fantastic, it’s not the only tool in the game. Here’s a breakdown of some alternatives:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Autocompletion | Limited language support | We use this for quick suggestions. | | Codeium | Free | Open-source projects | Less context-aware | We don’t use this because suggestions are weak.| | Sourcery | $12/mo | Python code improvements | Works only for Python | We don’t use this because it’s too niche. | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Limited features on free tier | We use this for pair programming. | | IntelliCode | Free | C# and Java developers | Limited language support | We don’t use this because our team is polyglot.| | Kite | Free tier + $19.90/mo pro | Python and JavaScript | No longer actively updated | We used to use this but switched to Copilot. |

Conclusion

Using GitHub Copilot can significantly enhance your coding speed if you know how to leverage it effectively. Start by setting it up in your environment, get familiar with its suggestions, and refine your comments for better accuracy.

In our experience, it’s best to use Copilot as a co-pilot, not a replacement for your coding skills. Embrace it as a tool to boost your productivity, but don’t rely on it entirely.

Start here: Sign up for GitHub Copilot today and take advantage of the 30-day free trial to see if it fits into your workflow.