How to Use GitHub Copilot to Save 20 Hours a Month

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker juggling multiple projects, you might feel like there are never enough hours in the day. Between coding, debugging, and testing, it’s easy to lose track of time. What if I told you that you could reclaim up to 20 hours a month just by using GitHub Copilot? In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to leverage this AI coding assistant effectively, saving you time and mental energy.

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code completion tool that suggests whole lines or blocks of code as you type, based on the context of your project. It integrates seamlessly with popular code editors like Visual Studio Code, helping you write code faster and with fewer errors.

Pricing Breakdown

• Free Tier: Limited features for individual use.
• Individual Plan: $10/month, includes full access to Copilot's features.
• Business Plan: $19/month per user, ideal for teams, with additional administrative controls.

Prerequisites to Get Started

Before you dive in, here’s what you need:

1. GitHub Account: Create a free account if you don’t already have one.
2. Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code.
3. GitHub Copilot Extension: Install the extension from the VS Code marketplace.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install GitHub Copilot: Open Visual Studio Code, go to Extensions, search for "GitHub Copilot," and click "Install."
2. Authorize Copilot: Sign in with your GitHub account to authorize the extension.
3. Start Coding: Open a project and start typing. Watch as Copilot suggests code snippets based on your context.

Example Output

Suppose you start typing a function to fetch data from an API:

async function fetchData(url) {
    // Copilot suggests:
    const response = await fetch(url);
    const data = await response.json();
    return data;
}

Tips to Maximize Time Savings

1. Use Comments Effectively

When you comment your code, Copilot can better understand your intent. For example, writing // Function to calculate the sum of two numbers before your function declaration can lead to more accurate suggestions.

2. Fine-Tune Your Settings

In VS Code, go to the settings for Copilot and customize how suggestions appear. You can adjust the frequency of suggestions and whether to show inline suggestions or only in a separate window.

3. Review Suggestions Carefully

While Copilot can speed up your coding, it’s not infallible. Always review the suggested code. In our experience, sometimes it generates code that is syntactically correct but not optimal for your specific case.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Slow Suggestions: If suggestions are lagging, check your internet connection or restart VS Code.
• Inaccurate Suggestions: If the suggestions don’t align with your expectations, try using more specific comments or adjust your project’s context.

What’s Next?

After you’ve gotten used to Copilot, consider exploring its integration with other tools. For example, combining it with testing frameworks can automate parts of your testing process, further saving you time.

Conclusion: Start Here

To get started with GitHub Copilot and save up to 20 hours a month, install the tool, set it up with your coding environment, and experiment with its features. Remember to use comments effectively and review suggestions carefully to maximize your coding efficiency.

What We Actually Use

In our stack, we rely heavily on GitHub Copilot for quick prototyping and writing boilerplate code. We also use it alongside tools like Postman for API testing and Figma for design collaboration.