How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Code Faster in 2026

If you're a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is money. Every minute spent writing boilerplate code or figuring out syntax is a minute you could be using to build your product. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that promises to help you code faster. But does it actually live up to the hype? In this guide, I’ll show you how to leverage GitHub Copilot to boost your productivity in about 2 hours.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Getting Started

Before diving in, here’s what you need:

• GitHub Account: You’ll need a GitHub account to access Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code: This is the editor where Copilot works best. Download it if you haven’t already.
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: Pricing is $10/month for individuals after a 60-day free trial.
• Basic Understanding of Coding: You should be familiar with the basics of programming in your chosen language.

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click "Install."
4. Once installed, sign in with your GitHub account to activate your subscription.

Expected output: You should see a Copilot icon in your editor, indicating it's ready to assist you.

Step 2: Start Coding with Copilot

Now that you have Copilot set up, let’s put it to work:

1. Create a New File: Start a new JavaScript or Python file.
2. Write a Comment: Describe what you want to do, like // Create a function to calculate the factorial of a number.
3. Watch Copilot Suggest: Copilot will automatically suggest code based on your comment. You can accept it with Tab or modify it as needed.

Expected output: You should see a complete function generated based on your comment.

Step 3: Use Inline Suggestions

While coding, you don’t have to rely solely on comments. Copilot can also provide inline suggestions:

1. Start typing a function or variable name.
2. Wait for Copilot to suggest completions.
3. Press Tab to accept a suggestion or continue typing for more specific suggestions.

Expected output: You’ll notice that you can write complex functions with significantly less keystrokes.

Step 4: Customize Your Settings

To get the most out of Copilot, customize your settings:

1. Go to the settings in Visual Studio Code (File > Preferences > Settings).
2. Search for "Copilot" and explore options like enabling/disabling inline suggestions or adjusting the suggestion delay.

Expected output: Tailored suggestions that fit your coding style and speed.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• No Suggestions: If Copilot isn't suggesting anything, make sure you're connected to the internet and logged into your GitHub account.
• Irrelevant Suggestions: Sometimes Copilot may provide suggestions that don’t make sense. Don’t hesitate to ignore them and write your own code.

What’s Next: Leveraging Copilot for Larger Projects

Once you’re comfortable using Copilot, consider these advanced uses:

• Refactoring Code: Use Copilot to help you refactor existing code for better efficiency.
• Learning New Languages: Try coding in a new language with Copilot’s help. Its suggestions can guide you through unfamiliar syntax.
• Building APIs: Start a new project and use Copilot to scaffold RESTful APIs, saving you a lot of setup time.

Pricing Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at GitHub Copilot's pricing along with some alternatives:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|---------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo after 60-day free trial | General coding tasks | May not understand complex logic | We use it for quick prototyping | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | AI code completions | Limited language support | We don’t use it because it can't handle large codebases well. | | Codeium | Free + $19/mo for pro | Collaborative coding | Less mature than Copilot | We haven't tried it yet. | | Replit | Free + $20/mo for pro | Online collaborative coding | Limited offline capabilities | We use it for quick demos. | | Sourcery | Free + $12/mo for pro | Python code optimization | Focuses only on Python | We don’t use it because we work in multiple languages. |

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to speed up your coding process, GitHub Copilot is a practical tool that can help you write code faster. The setup takes about 2 hours, but the productivity gains are worth it. Start by installing Copilot, then experiment with its features on small projects. Don’t forget to tweak your settings for the best experience.