How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Code in 10 Minutes

If you've ever stared at a blank screen, wondering how to start coding a feature, you're not alone. As indie hackers and solo founders, we often juggle multiple roles, and the last thing we need is to spend hours writing boilerplate code. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that can help you generate code snippets in a fraction of the time. In this guide, I'll walk you through how to use GitHub Copilot effectively in just 10 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have:

• A GitHub account: Sign up for free if you don't have one.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Download and install if you haven't already.
• GitHub Copilot subscription: Costs $10/month as of May 2026. You can also access a free trial for 30 days.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using GitHub Copilot

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot

1. Open VS Code.
2. Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side.
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click on "Install."
4. Sign in with your GitHub account when prompted.

Step 2: Open a New File

Create a new file in your preferred programming language (e.g., JavaScript, Python). This is where you'll start coding.

Step 3: Start Typing a Comment

Begin by typing a comment that describes what you want to do. For example:

// Create a function to fetch user data from an API

Step 4: Accept or Modify Suggestions

Once you start typing your comment, GitHub Copilot will automatically suggest code snippets. You can press Tab to accept the suggestion or continue typing to refine it.

Step 5: Test the Code

After accepting the generated code, run your program to see if it works as intended. You might need to tweak the code based on your specific use case.

Expected Output

If everything goes well, you should see your function fetching user data successfully. Here's a simple example of what the generated code might look like:

async function fetchUserData(userId) {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/users/${userId}`);
  return await response.json();
}

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Suggestion Not Appearing: Make sure you are within a code context and that GitHub Copilot is enabled in your VS Code settings.
• Code Doesn't Work as Expected: Remember that Copilot’s suggestions are based on patterns. You might need to tweak the generated code to fit your specific needs.

What's Next?

Now that you've integrated GitHub Copilot into your workflow, consider exploring other AI coding tools that can enhance your coding experience. Here's a quick comparison of popular AI coding assistants to help you decide what might work for you.

| Tool | Pricing | Best for | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo, free trial | General coding assistance | Limited context understanding | We use it for quick prototypes | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Team collaboration | Less effective with complex code | We don’t use it because Copilot is better for us | | Codeium | Free | Beginners | Limited language support | We haven't tried it yet | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Online coding environments | Slower performance on large projects | We use it for quick tests | | Sourcery | $15/mo | Python developers | Not as versatile for other languages | We don’t use it | | Amazon CodeWhisperer| $19/mo | AWS service integration | AWS-centric, not general-purpose | We haven't used it |

Conclusion

If you're looking to speed up your coding process, GitHub Copilot is a fantastic tool. It can save you time by generating boilerplate code and providing intelligent suggestions. Start by integrating it into your daily coding routine, and you'll find that what once took hours can now be accomplished in minutes.

Get started with GitHub Copilot today and see how it transforms your coding experience.