How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Code in Under 30 Minutes

As an indie hacker or side project builder, you know that time is precious. You often find yourself stuck in the coding weeds, wishing you had an extra pair of hands. Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that can help you write code faster and more efficiently. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to leverage GitHub Copilot to crank out functionality in under 30 minutes.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• GitHub Account: You need this to access GitHub Copilot.
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is the IDE where you'll be using Copilot.
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: As of September 2026, it costs $10/month after a 60-day free trial.
• Basic Understanding of Coding: Familiarity with the programming language you intend to use (e.g., JavaScript, Python).

Step-by-Step: Using GitHub Copilot

Step 1: Install GitHub Copilot in VS Code

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Go to the Extensions tab (or press Ctrl+Shift+X).
3. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click on Install.
4. Sign in with your GitHub account when prompted.

Step 2: Start a New Project

1. Create a new folder for your project and open it in VS Code.
2. Create a new file (e.g., app.js for JavaScript projects).
3. Write a comment or a function name to describe what you want to do. For example, type // Function to calculate the sum of two numbers.

Step 3: Let Copilot Do Its Thing

1. After writing your comment, hit Enter. GitHub Copilot will suggest a code snippet.
2. Review the suggestion. If it looks good, hit Tab to accept it. If not, press Ctrl+Space to see more suggestions or modify your comment for better results.

Step 4: Test Your Code

1. Run your code in the integrated terminal (Ctrl+ backtick).
2. Check if it works as expected. If there are errors, tweak your inputs or comments and let Copilot suggest again.

Expected Outputs

By the end of these steps, you should have a functioning piece of code that performs the task you described in your comments.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Inaccurate Suggestions: Copilot is not perfect. If the code doesn’t work, double-check your initial comment for clarity.
• Limited Context: Sometimes, Copilot may not understand your project’s context. Being specific in your comments helps a lot.
• Performance Issues: If VS Code seems sluggish, try disabling other extensions or restarting the IDE.

What's Next: Building on Your Code

Once you've successfully implemented a feature, consider the following:

• Refactoring: Use Copilot to suggest improvements or alternative implementations.
• Documentation: Generate comments and documentation with Copilot's help.
• Collaboration: Share your code via GitHub and get feedback from other developers.

GitHub Copilot vs. Other AI Coding Tools

To give you a clearer picture of how GitHub Copilot stacks up against other AI coding tools, here's a comparison:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Verdict | |--------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo after trial | Fast coding assistance | Sometimes irrelevant suggestions | Very useful for quick tasks | | Tabnine | $12/mo for pro version | Autocompletion | Limited to certain languages | Good for specific coding patterns | | Codeium | Free tier + $19/mo pro | Team collaboration | Less robust than Copilot | Worth trying for teams | | Sourcery | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Code reviews | Focused on Python | Great for improving code quality | | Replit | Free, $7/mo for pro | Collaborative coding | Limited offline capabilities | Best for real-time collaboration | | IntelliCode | Free | Contextual suggestions | Limited to Visual Studio | Good for Microsoft stack |

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and feature implementation. It’s especially handy for writing boilerplate code quickly. For more complex code reviews, we also rely on Sourcery.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to accelerate your coding process, GitHub Copilot is a solid choice. With just a few setup steps and a willingness to experiment, you can start writing code faster than ever. Remember, the key is to be clear in your comments and to embrace the iterative process.

Ready to give it a shot? Start with the GitHub Copilot trial today and see how much quicker you can build your next project!