How to Use GitHub Copilot to Speed Up Your Coding in 1 Hour

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. Coding can be a slow grind, especially when you're juggling multiple projects. Enter GitHub Copilot: an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to speed up your development process, but does it really deliver? In this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively use GitHub Copilot to shave hours off your coding time, all within a one-hour setup.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• GitHub Account: You’ll need a GitHub account to access Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is where Copilot integrates seamlessly.
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of 2026, Copilot costs $10/month or $100/year with a free trial available.
• Basic Coding Knowledge: Familiarity with the programming languages you intend to use (e.g., JavaScript, Python).

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install VS Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code if you haven’t already. It’s free and works on all major operating systems.
2. Add GitHub Copilot Extension: Go to the Extensions Marketplace in VS Code and search for “GitHub Copilot.” Click on “Install.”
3. Sign In to GitHub: After installation, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your GitHub account. Follow the authentication steps.
4. Enable Copilot: Once signed in, enable Copilot in your settings. You can customize its behavior to fit your workflow.

Expected Output: You should see Copilot suggestions as you type code in VS Code.

Step 2: Using GitHub Copilot Effectively

Code Suggestions

Copilot can provide code suggestions based on the context you’re working in. Start typing a function or comment, and watch as Copilot generates code for you.

• Example: Type // function to calculate the sum of two numbers and see Copilot suggest the code.

Autocomplete Features

Use the autocomplete feature to fill in long lines of code quickly. Copilot can often predict what you’re trying to accomplish.

• Tip: Use the Tab key to accept suggestions or Esc to dismiss them.

Code Documentation

Copilot can also help with writing documentation. Just start typing a comment about what your code does, and it can generate docstrings for you.

Testing and Debugging

Copilot can suggest test cases based on your code, which can save you time when writing unit tests.

What Could Go Wrong

1. Incorrect Code: Sometimes, Copilot generates code that doesn’t quite fit your needs. Always review the suggestions carefully.
2. Limited Context Understanding: Copilot is trained on existing code but may not fully grasp your project’s unique context. Be prepared to tweak its suggestions.

Pricing Breakdown for GitHub Copilot Alternatives

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |-----------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo or $100/yr | Quick code generation | Context limitations | We use this for rapid prototyping. | | Tabnine | Free + $12/mo Pro | AI-powered code completion | Less accurate than Copilot | We don’t use this because Copilot is better. | | Kite | Free + $19.90/mo Pro | Python coding | Limited language support | We tried this, but it wasn’t as helpful. | | Sourcery | Free + $12/mo Pro | Python code optimization | Python only | We don't use it as we prefer Copilot. | | Codeium | Free | General code suggestions | Lacks advanced features | We haven't used it for serious projects. | | Codex | $0.001 per token | Complex code tasks | Expensive for large projects | We haven’t used it; too costly. |

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to speed up your coding and maximize your efficiency, GitHub Copilot is a solid choice. It requires minimal setup time (about 1 hour) and can significantly reduce the time you spend on coding tasks.

Start here: Sign up for GitHub Copilot, install it on VS Code, and give it a try. You'll likely find that it helps you code faster, but remember to double-check its suggestions.

Finally, if you're curious about more tools and insights, check out our weekly podcast, Built This Week, where we share what’s working for us as we build in public.