How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write 50% More Code in Less Time (2026)

As a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. Writing code can be time-consuming, and the last thing you want is to be bogged down by repetitive tasks. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to boost your productivity. But does it really help you write 50% more code in less time? I’ve been using it for several months now, and here’s what I’ve learned.

What GitHub Copilot Actually Does

GitHub Copilot is essentially an AI pair programmer that suggests code snippets as you type. It’s trained on a massive dataset of public code repositories, which means it can generate contextually relevant code suggestions based on what you’re currently working on.

• Pricing: $10/month for individuals, $19/month for businesses.
• Best for: Developers looking to speed up their coding process.
• Limitations: It can sometimes generate incorrect code or suggest less optimal solutions.

In our experience, GitHub Copilot is a solid tool that can genuinely improve your coding efficiency, but it’s not infallible. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Setting Up GitHub Copilot

Prerequisites

• A GitHub account (free or paid)
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed
• GitHub Copilot extension for VS Code

Time Estimate

You can finish the setup in about 30 minutes.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code from the official site.
2. Sign in to GitHub: Open VS Code and sign in to your GitHub account.
3. Install GitHub Copilot: Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X) and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".
4. Enable Copilot: After installation, you will need to enable GitHub Copilot by clicking on the Copilot icon in the sidebar.

Expected Output

Once set up, you can start typing code, and Copilot will offer suggestions inline, which you can accept, reject, or modify.

Tips for Maximizing GitHub Copilot's Potential

1. Use Descriptive Comments

When you write a comment describing what you want to achieve, Copilot can generate better code suggestions. For example, typing // function to calculate the sum of an array will prompt Copilot to suggest a relevant function.

2. Leverage Shortcuts

Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts to accept suggestions quickly. For instance, pressing Tab accepts the suggestion, while Esc dismisses it.

3. Iterate on Suggestions

Don’t settle for the first suggestion. Often, Copilot will provide multiple options, so take a moment to evaluate them and choose the best one.

4. Combine with Other Tools

Consider using GitHub Copilot alongside other coding tools like ESLint for code quality checks. This will help you catch any issues that Copilot might miss.

Limitations of GitHub Copilot

While GitHub Copilot can significantly enhance your coding speed, it’s not a silver bullet. Here are some limitations to be aware of:

• Context Awareness: Copilot may struggle with larger codebases or complex logic, leading to irrelevant suggestions.
• Learning Curve: You need to spend some time getting used to how it suggests code and how to interact with it effectively.
• Cost: At $10/month, it adds to your expenses, especially if you’re bootstrapping.

What We Actually Use

In our stack, we heavily rely on GitHub Copilot for routine coding tasks. However, we still manually review and test the code it generates. For more complex features, we prefer writing the logic ourselves, using Copilot as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to increase your coding output, I recommend giving GitHub Copilot a try. It’s an excellent tool for speeding up repetitive tasks and can genuinely help you write code faster, but it’s not a substitute for deep understanding. Start by setting it up in your environment, and experiment with it to see how it fits into your workflow.