How to Use GitHub Copilot to Increase Your Productivity by 50% in 2 Weeks

As an indie hacker or solo founder, you know how precious your time is. Every minute spent coding is a minute you could be using to validate ideas, talk to customers, or build your next big feature. Enter GitHub Copilot—an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to boost your productivity significantly. But does it actually work? In this article, I’ll share how to leverage GitHub Copilot effectively over a two-week period to potentially increase your coding productivity by 50%.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, here are the essentials you'll need:

1. GitHub Account: You can sign up for free if you don’t have one.
2. Visual Studio Code: GitHub Copilot integrates seamlessly with this code editor.
3. GitHub Copilot Subscription: Currently priced at $10/month for individuals.
4. Basic Coding Knowledge: Familiarity with the programming language you'll be using.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

Installation

1. Download Visual Studio Code: If you haven't already, grab it from here.
2. Install GitHub Copilot: Go to the Extensions panel (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for "GitHub Copilot," and click Install.
3. Sign In: After installation, you'll be prompted to log in to your GitHub account to activate Copilot.

Expected Output: You should see a small Copilot icon in your editor, indicating it's ready to assist.

Step 2: Learning the Commands

GitHub Copilot works best when you understand how to communicate with it. Here are some commands you can use:

• Inline Suggestions: Start typing a function, and Copilot will suggest completions. Accept suggestions by hitting the Tab key.
• Comment-Based Prompts: Write a comment describing what you want to achieve, and Copilot will generate code. For example, // Create a user registration form will trigger a relevant suggestion.

Tip: The more context you provide, the better the suggestions.

Step 3: Daily Coding Practice

Time Commitment: 1 Hour Daily

For two weeks, spend at least one hour a day coding while using GitHub Copilot. Focus on:

• Feature Development: Implement new features in your project using Copilot’s suggestions.
• Bug Fixes: Use it to help debug and refactor existing code.

Expected Output: By the end of two weeks, you should see a noticeable reduction in the time it takes to complete coding tasks.

Step 4: Measure Your Productivity

Metrics to Track

1. Lines of Code Written: Count how many lines of code you generate with Copilot's help.
2. Time Spent: Keep track of how long it takes to complete tasks compared to previous sprints.
3. Code Quality: Review the suggestions for efficiency and correctness.

Expected Output: You should be able to quantify your productivity increase—aim for a 50% boost.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Inaccurate Suggestions: Sometimes Copilot's suggestions may not fit your needs. Don't hesitate to tweak the generated code.
• Overreliance: While Copilot is a powerful tool, it’s not perfect. Make sure to review and understand the code it generates.

What’s Next: Leveling Up Your Skills

After two weeks, consider diving deeper into GitHub Copilot's advanced features, such as:

• Pair Programming: Use it as a virtual coding partner to brainstorm solutions.
• Learning New Languages: Challenge yourself by using Copilot to write in a language you’re less familiar with.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to boost your productivity and make coding less of a chore, start using GitHub Copilot today. Set aside an hour each day for two weeks, and focus on understanding how to leverage its suggestions effectively. Track your progress, and you might just find yourself coding faster and more efficiently than ever before.

What We Actually Use

In our experience at Built This Week, GitHub Copilot has been a game-changer in speeding up our development process. We pay the $10/month subscription and find it worth every penny for the time savings and code quality improvements.