How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Your First Application in 1 Hour

Building your first application can feel like climbing a mountain—overwhelming and intimidating. But what if I told you that with the right tools, you could scale that mountain in just one hour? Enter GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered coding assistant that can help you write code faster and more efficiently. In this guide, I’ll show you how to leverage GitHub Copilot to create a simple application without getting bogged down in the details.

Time Estimate: 1 Hour

You can finish the entire process in about one hour, including setup, coding, and testing.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

1. A GitHub account (free)
2. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) installed on your machine
3. GitHub Copilot subscription ($10/month after a 60-day free trial)
4. Basic understanding of JavaScript (though Copilot can help with code suggestions)

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

1. Install VS Code: Download and install Visual Studio Code from here.
2. Install GitHub Copilot: Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X), and search for "GitHub Copilot". Click "Install".
3. Sign In: After installation, sign in with your GitHub account to activate Copilot.

Step 2: Create Your First Application

1. Create a New Project: Open a terminal in VS Code and run:

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

   This initializes a new Node.js project.

2. Install Express: To create a simple web application, install Express by running:

   npm install express
   

3. Create Your Main File: Create a file called app.js in your project folder.

4. Use Copilot to Generate Code: Start typing the following in app.js:

   const express = require('express');
   const app = express();
   const PORT = 3000;
   
   app.get('/', (req, res) => {
       res.send('Hello World!');
   });
   
   app.listen(PORT, () => {
       console.log(`Server is running on http://localhost:${PORT}`);
   });
   

   As you type, GitHub Copilot will suggest completions. Accept the suggestions by pressing "Tab."

Step 3: Run and Test Your Application

1. Start the Server: In the terminal, run:

   node app.js
   

2. Test It: Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000. You should see "Hello World!" displayed on the page.

Troubleshooting

• If Copilot is not suggesting code: Ensure you are connected to the internet and that your subscription is active.
• If you encounter errors: Double-check your code for typos and ensure all necessary packages are installed.

What's Next?

Once you've built your first application, consider expanding its functionality. You could add routes, integrate a database, or even deploy it to a platform like Heroku. Explore more about Express and its middleware to enhance your app.

Conclusion: Start Here

Using GitHub Copilot can significantly reduce the time it takes to build your first application. With just an hour and some basic setup, you can go from zero to a functional web app. If you're looking to get started, follow the steps above, and don't hesitate to experiment with Copilot's suggestions.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we rely heavily on GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and when we’re stuck on syntax. It's a great tool for beginners and seasoned developers alike. However, remember that it’s not perfect and sometimes requires manual corrections.