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

If you’re a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. Writing code can be a bottleneck, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. Enter GitHub Copilot: an AI-powered coding assistant that can help you write Python code faster. In this guide, I’ll show you how to get started with GitHub Copilot in just 30 minutes.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, make sure you have the following:

• A GitHub account (free tier is sufficient)
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed
• The GitHub Copilot extension installed (requires a subscription)

Time Estimate: 30 minutes

This setup and coding session should take you about 30 minutes if you follow along step by step.

Step 1: Setting Up GitHub Copilot

1. Create a GitHub Account: If you don’t already have one, sign up at GitHub.
2. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code from here.
3. Install GitHub Copilot: Open VS Code, go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X), and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".
4. Subscribe to GitHub Copilot: As of July 2026, GitHub Copilot costs $10/month after a free trial.

Expected Output

After this step, you should have a fully functional GitHub Copilot ready to assist you in writing Python code.

Step 2: Writing Your First Python Function

Let’s create a simple Python function to calculate the factorial of a number.

1. Open a New File: In VS Code, create a new file called factorial.py.
2. Start Typing: Begin typing the function definition:

   def factorial(n):
   

3. Invoke Copilot: After typing the function signature, press Tab to see Copilot’s suggestions. It should suggest a complete implementation for calculating the factorial.

Expected Output

You’ll end up with a working function that looks something like this:

def factorial(n):
    if n == 0:
        return 1
    else:
        return n * factorial(n-1)

Step 3: Testing the Function

Now that you have your function, let’s test it.

1. Add Test Cases: Below your function, add some test cases:

   print(factorial(5))  # Should return 120
   print(factorial(0))  # Should return 1
   

2. Run the Code: Use the terminal in VS Code to run the file:

   python factorial.py
   

Expected Output

You should see:

120
1

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Copilot Doesn’t Suggest Code: Make sure you are logged into GitHub in VS Code and that the Copilot extension is enabled.
2. Function Doesn’t Work: Double-check your syntax and ensure you’re testing with valid inputs.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve written a simple Python function using GitHub Copilot, consider expanding your project. Here are a few ideas:

• Build a small CLI application that utilizes multiple functions.
• Explore more complex algorithms, like sorting or searching algorithms.
• Integrate your code with an API to fetch and manipulate data.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to speed up your coding process, GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool that can save you time and effort. In just 30 minutes, you’ve set up Copilot and written your first Python function.

Start Here

To maximize your productivity, consider subscribing to GitHub Copilot and integrating it into your daily workflow. It’s a worthwhile investment for indie hackers and solo founders looking to ship faster.