How to Use GitHub Copilot to Write Your First Python App in 2026

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of building your first app? As indie hackers and solo founders, we often find ourselves stuck in analysis paralysis, especially when it comes to coding. What if I told you that you could leverage AI to speed up the process? In this guide, I’ll show you how to use GitHub Copilot to write your first Python app in just 2 hours. Yes, you read that right—2 hours.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before diving in, you’ll need a few things:

• GitHub Account: Free to sign up.
• Visual Studio Code: A popular code editor (free).
• GitHub Copilot Subscription: $10/month or $100/year for individual use.
• Basic Python Knowledge: Familiarity with Python syntax and concepts will help, but Copilot can assist you along the way.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install it from the official site.
2. Install GitHub Copilot:
   • Open Visual Studio Code.
   • Go to Extensions and search for "GitHub Copilot".
   • Click Install and follow the prompts to log in to your GitHub account.
3. Create a New Python File: Open a new file and save it as app.py.

Step 2: Define Your App Idea

Before we start coding, let’s outline what our app will do. For this tutorial, we’ll create a simple to-do list app that allows users to add and view tasks.

What to Expect

• Input: User inputs a task.
• Output: Display the list of tasks.

Step 3: Start Coding with GitHub Copilot

3.1: Generate Basic Structure

Start by typing a comment in your app.py:

# Create a function to add a task

You’ll see Copilot suggest a function. Accept the suggestion (hit Tab), and it will generate a function for you. Repeat this for the function to display tasks.

3.2: Implement User Input

Add the following comment to prompt Copilot:

# Get user input for a new task

Copilot will suggest code to capture user input. Accept it and modify if necessary.

3.3: Complete the App Logic

Continue to build your app by adding comments for each functionality you want, such as:

# Initialize an empty list to store tasks
# Function to display tasks
# Main loop to keep the app running

Step 4: Testing Your App

Once you’ve written your code, it’s time to run it. Open the terminal in Visual Studio Code and run:

python app.py

Expected Output

• The app should prompt you to enter tasks and display them as you add them.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

1. Import Errors: Ensure you have Python installed and set up correctly.
2. Syntax Errors: Copilot may not always get it right. Double-check the code it generates.
3. Functionality Issues: If the app doesn't work as expected, review the logic and ensure all functions are called correctly.

What’s Next: Building on Your Foundation

Once you have your basic to-do app running, consider adding features like:

• Saving tasks to a file.
• Adding deadlines for tasks.
• Implementing a simple GUI with libraries like Tkinter.

Conclusion: Start Here

Using GitHub Copilot can significantly speed up your development process, especially for beginners. You can build a functional Python app in just 2 hours with the right setup and guidance.

If you’re ready to dive into coding with AI assistance, follow these steps and get started today.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for rapid prototyping and to overcome coding hurdles. While it’s not perfect, it has saved us countless hours when building MVPs.