Getting Started with GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Getting Started with GitHub Copilot in VS Code | Generated by AI

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Using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is straightforward once you set it up. Below is a step-by-step guide to get you started as of March 20, 2025:

Step 1: Install VS Code

Ensure you have Visual Studio Code installed. Download it from code.visualstudio.com if you haven’t already.
Update VS Code to the latest version for optimal compatibility (go to Help > Check for Updates).

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot Extension

Open VS Code.
Go to the Extensions Marketplace:
- Click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left (or press Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X on Mac).
Search for “GitHub Copilot”:
- Type “GitHub Copilot” in the search bar.
- Look for the official extension by GitHub (it’ll have a verified badge).
Install the Extension:
- Click the Install button next to “GitHub Copilot”.
Optional: Install Copilot Chat (Recommended):
- Search for “GitHub Copilot Chat” and install it as well. This adds conversational AI features like asking questions or generating code via chat.

Authenticate with GitHub:
- After installation, a prompt will appear asking you to sign in.
- Click Sign in to GitHub in the pop-up or go to the Copilot status icon (bottom-right corner of VS Code) and select “Sign in”.
Authorize in Browser:
- A browser window will open asking you to log into your GitHub account.
- Approve the authorization request by clicking Authorize Git hypoxia.
Copy the Code:
- GitHub will provide a one-time code. Copy it and paste it back into VS Code when prompted.
Verify Activation:
- Once signed in, the Copilot icon in the status bar should turn green, indicating it’s active. You’ll also see a notification confirming your access.

Step 4: Configure Copilot (Optional)

Enable/Disable Suggestions:
- Go to File > Preferences > Settings (or Ctrl+, / Cmd+,).
- Search for “Copilot” to tweak settings like enabling inline suggestions or disabling it for specific languages.
Check Subscription:
- Copilot requires a subscription ($10/month or $100/year) after a 30-day trial. Students, teachers, and open-source maintainers can apply for free access via GitHub Education or the Copilot settings.

Step 5: Start Using Copilot

Here’s how to leverage Copilot in your coding workflow:

1. Code Suggestions

Inline Autocomplete:
- Start typing in a file (e.g., def calculate_sum( in Python), and Copilot will suggest completions in gray text.
- Press Tab to accept the suggestion or keep typing to ignore it.
Multi-line Suggestions:
- Write a comment like // Function to sort an array and press Enter. Copilot might suggest an entire implementation (e.g., a sorting algorithm).
- Use Alt+] (or Option+] on Mac) to cycle through multiple suggestions.

2. Code Generation from Comments

Type a descriptive comment like:

// Fetch data from an API and handle errors

Press Enter, and Copilot may generate:

async function fetchData(url) {
  try {
    const response = await fetch(url);
    if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
    return await response.json();
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Fetch error:', error);
  }
}

Accept with Tab or tweak as needed.

3. Copilot Chat (If Installed)

Open Chat:
- Click the chat icon in the sidebar or use Ctrl+Alt+C (customizable).
Ask Questions:
- Type something like “Explain how Promises work in JavaScript” or “Write a Python script to read a CSV file.”
- Copilot will respond in the chat panel and can insert code directly into your editor.
Contextual Help:
- Highlight code, right-click, and select “Ask Copilot” to explain or refactor it.

4. Debugging and Testing

Write a comment like // Write unit tests for this function, and Copilot can generate test cases using frameworks like Jest or PyTest.

Tips for Effective Use

Be Specific: The more context you provide (e.g., comments, variable names), the better Copilot’s suggestions.
Review Suggestions: Copilot isn’t perfect—always check its code for accuracy and security.
Language Support: It works best with popular languages (Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.) but supports dozens more.
Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Alt+\ (or Option+\ on Mac): Show all suggestions manually.
- Ctrl+Enter: Open the suggestion panel.

Troubleshooting

Not Working?:
- Ensure you’re signed in (check the status bar).
- Verify your subscription is active in your GitHub account settings.
- Restart VS Code or reinstall the extension if issues persist.
No Suggestions?:
- Check if Copilot is enabled for the current language (editor.inlineSuggest.enabled should be true in settings).

That’s it! You’re now ready to use GitHub Copilot in VS Code. Start by opening a file, typing some code or a comment, and let Copilot assist you. Enjoy coding smarter!