How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write a Full-Stack App in 3 Days

Building a full-stack app can feel like an insurmountable task, especially if you're juggling it alongside a day job or other commitments. But what if I told you that with the help of GitHub Copilot, you could build a functional app in just three days? This might sound overly ambitious, but I’ve done it, and I’m here to share how you can do the same.

Day 1: Setting Up Your Environment

Prerequisites

Before diving in, ensure you have the following:

• GitHub Copilot: $10/month per user. Free tier available for students and open-source maintainers.
• Node.js: Download from nodejs.org (Free).
• MongoDB: Use the free tier on MongoDB Atlas.
• Code Editor: Visual Studio Code (Free).

Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install it.
2. Install GitHub Copilot: Open VS Code, go to Extensions, and search for GitHub Copilot. Click Install.
3. Connect to GitHub: Sign in with your GitHub account to activate Copilot.

What You’ll Build

Decide on a simple app idea, such as a task manager or a personal blog. This helps keep your scope manageable.

Day 2: Writing Your Backend

Step 1: Initialize Your Project

• Open a terminal and run:

  mkdir my-fullstack-app
  cd my-fullstack-app
  npm init -y
  

Step 2: Set Up Express.js

• Install Express:

  npm install express
  

• Use GitHub Copilot to generate a basic server setup. Start a new file called server.js and type // Express server setup. Copilot will help you fill in the rest.

Expected Output

Your server should respond with a simple "Hello World" on visiting localhost:3000.

Step 3: Connect to MongoDB

• Install Mongoose:

  npm install mongoose
  

• Again, prompt Copilot to generate the connection code by typing // MongoDB connection.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues connecting to MongoDB, double-check your connection string in the .env file.

Day 3: Writing Your Frontend

Step 1: Set Up React

• Inside your project folder, run:

  npx create-react-app client
  

• Navigate to the client folder: cd client.

Step 2: Fetch Data from Your API

• Use Copilot to create a function that fetches tasks from your Express API. Start typing // Fetch tasks from API in a component file.

Expected Output

You should see a list of tasks rendered on your frontend.

What Could Go Wrong

• If your frontend doesn’t display data, check the network tab in your browser’s developer tools for any failed requests.

Conclusion: Start Here

You can build a full-stack app in just three days using GitHub Copilot if you keep your scope manageable and leverage the AI's capabilities. Start with a simple project and gradually expand as you become more comfortable with the tools.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we rely heavily on GitHub Copilot for generating boilerplate code and getting unstuck with syntax issues. We pair it with MongoDB for our database needs and Express for the API layer.

With just a few tools and a clear plan, you can turn an idea into a working app in under a week.