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

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that coding can be a bottleneck. You want to ship products, but sometimes it feels like you're stuck in the weeds of syntax and structure. Enter GitHub Copilot—a tool that claims to help you code faster by suggesting lines of code and entire functions based on context. But does it really deliver? In this guide, I'll show you how to set it up and use it effectively in just 2 hours.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• A GitHub account (Free)
• Visual Studio Code installed (Free)
• Basic understanding of coding concepts and syntax
• A project to work on (could be a side project or a new idea)

Setting Up GitHub Copilot (30 Minutes)

1. Install Visual Studio Code: If you haven't already, download and install Visual Studio Code.
2. Add GitHub Copilot Extension: Open VS Code, go to the Extensions Marketplace, and search for "GitHub Copilot." Click "Install."
3. Authenticate: Once installed, you'll need to authenticate using your GitHub account. Follow the prompts to log in.
4. Configure Settings: Go to Settings in VS Code and search for "Copilot." Here, you can customize how suggestions are shown (inline, in a separate window, etc.).

Expected Output

After setting up, you should see Copilot actively suggesting code as you type, which can include anything from basic syntax to complex functions.

How to Use GitHub Copilot in Your Coding Workflow (1 Hour)

1. Start Typing Your Code

As you begin coding, GitHub Copilot will provide suggestions based on your input. It works best when you write comments describing what you want to do.

• Example: Type // Function to calculate the sum of an array and see how Copilot suggests the function.

2. Accepting and Modifying Suggestions

When a suggestion pops up, you can either accept it by pressing Tab or modify it.

• Tip: Don't just accept suggestions blindly; make sure they fit your logic and requirements. This is about speeding up your workflow, not replacing your thinking.

3. Use Comments Effectively

Be descriptive in your comments. The more context you provide, the better Copilot's suggestions will be.

• Example: Instead of just saying // Create a user, try // Create a user object with name, email, and password fields.

4. Explore Various Languages and Frameworks

Copilot supports multiple languages. Whether you're coding in JavaScript, Python, or Go, it can help speed things up.

• Caveat: Some languages or frameworks may have more robust support than others. For example, it works exceptionally well with JavaScript and TypeScript but may struggle with niche languages.

5. Troubleshooting Suggestions

If you find Copilot isn't suggesting relevant code, here’s what you can do:

• Rephrase Your Comment: Sometimes, a simple rewording can yield better results.
• Check Your Internet Connection: Copilot requires a stable connection to fetch suggestions.

6. Review and Test Your Code

After accepting suggestions, always review and test your code. While Copilot can be incredibly helpful, it's not infallible.

• Our Take: In our experience, we've found that Copilot often provides a great starting point, but you should always validate its output.

Pricing Breakdown

• GitHub Copilot: $10/month or $100/year, with a free trial available for new users.
• Visual Studio Code: Free

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Verdict | |-----------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo or $100/yr | Speeding up coding in various languages | May not understand niche frameworks well | Great for quick suggestions | | Visual Studio Code | Free | General coding | Lacks built-in GitHub features | Essential for coding |

What We Actually Use

In our development workflow, we use GitHub Copilot alongside Visual Studio Code. It helps us iterate quickly on features, especially when we're in the early stages of product development. However, we always review the code it suggests to ensure it meets our standards.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to speed up your coding and reduce the time spent on boilerplate code, GitHub Copilot is worth trying out. Set up your environment as outlined above, and dedicate 2 hours to get familiar with its features. It won't replace your coding skills, but it can certainly enhance your productivity.