How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write a Full-Stack App in 2 Hours

If you're an indie hacker or a solo founder, you know that time is of the essence. The idea of building a full-stack app in just two hours sounds like a pipe dream, but with GitHub Copilot, it’s not just possible—it’s surprisingly efficient. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through how to leverage GitHub Copilot to get a full-stack app up and running in record time.

Time Estimate: 2 Hours

You can realistically complete this in about 2 hours if you have the right prerequisites set up. Let’s dive in.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

1. GitHub Account: Sign up for a free account if you don’t have one.
2. GitHub Copilot Subscription: $10/month for individual developers; there’s a free trial available.
3. Code Editor: Visual Studio Code is recommended, as Copilot integrates seamlessly.
4. Node.js & npm Installed: You can get both from nodejs.org.
5. Basic Understanding of JavaScript: Familiarity with JavaScript, React, and Node.js will speed things up.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Full-Stack App

Step 1: Set Up Your Project Structure

Start by creating a new directory for your app. Open your terminal and run:

mkdir my-fullstack-app && cd my-fullstack-app

Then initialize a new Node.js project:

npm init -y

Step 2: Install Dependencies

You'll need Express for the backend and React for the frontend. Install them by running:

npm install express
npx create-react-app client

Step 3: Create Your Server

In the root directory, create a file called server.js. Open it in your code editor and start writing your Express server. With GitHub Copilot, you can simply type:

// Create an Express server

Copilot will suggest the boilerplate code for you. Accept the suggestions and customize as needed.

Step 4: Build Your API Endpoints

To create your API, you can prompt Copilot with comments like:

// Create a GET endpoint for fetching items

Copilot will generate the endpoint for you. Test it by running your server:

node server.js

Step 5: Set Up Your React Frontend

Navigate to the client directory and open src/App.js. Start by prompting Copilot with:

// Create a React component to fetch and display items

Step 6: Connect Frontend to Backend

Use Axios to make requests from your React frontend to your Express backend. You can install Axios with:

npm install axios

Again, use comments to guide Copilot in writing the necessary code.

Step 7: Finalize and Test

Make sure your server is running and test your app in the browser. Look for any bugs and use Copilot to help debug by typing comments like:

// What is causing this error?

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• CORS Issues: If you run into CORS errors, you’ll need to set up your Express server to handle them. Copilot can help you generate the middleware needed.
• Dependency Errors: Make sure you have installed all required packages. If something is missing, Copilot can often suggest the right commands.

What's Next?

Once your app is live, consider deploying it using platforms like Heroku or Vercel. You can also start adding features based on user feedback.

Conclusion: Start Here

Using GitHub Copilot can drastically reduce your development time, especially for simple full-stack apps. While it won't replace your coding skills, it can accelerate the process significantly. For a full-stack app in two hours, make sure to have your prerequisites set up and follow the steps closely.

Our Take on GitHub Copilot

In our experience, GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool, but it’s not infallible. It’s great for generating boilerplate code and speeding up the initial setup, but you still need to review and understand the code it generates.

Here’s a quick comparison of tools that can complement GitHub Copilot in your coding journey:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/month | Code suggestions & completions | May generate incorrect code | Great for speeding up development | | Postman | Free tier + $12/month Pro | API testing | Complex UI for beginners | Essential for API testing | | Vercel | Free tier + $20/mo Pro | Deploying frontends | Limited backend support | Good for React apps | | Heroku | Free tier + $7/month Dyno | Backend hosting | Limited free tier resources | Easy to deploy apps | | Axios | Free | HTTP requests in React | No built-in error handling | Must-have for API interactions |

What We Actually Use

For building full-stack apps quickly, we rely on GitHub Copilot alongside Postman for API testing and Vercel for deployment. This combination has served us well in maintaining speed without sacrificing quality.