GitHub Copilot, developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI, is an AI-powered coding assistant designed to streamline software development workflows. It suggests lines of code, entire functions, and even helps with documentation, tests, and boilerplate code. In this first part of the guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code (VS Code), one of the most popular code editors in the world.
“GitHub Copilot is like pair programming with a tireless, well-informed, and extraordinarily fast coding partner.”
Why Use GitHub Copilot?
Before diving into setup instructions, let’s look at what makes GitHub Copilot worth integrating into your workflow:
- Generates code suggestions in real time based on your context.
- Reduces repetitive coding tasks.
- Improves productivity and focus.
- Assists with unfamiliar languages and libraries.
- Useful for rapid prototyping and brainstorming solutions.
Copilot supports a wide range of programming languages including JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Go, Ruby, C#, C++, and more.
System Requirements for Using GitHub Copilot
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| VS Code Version | 1.60 or higher |
| GitHub Account | GitHub account with Copilot subscription (individual or business) |
| Internet Connection | Stable connection required for AI suggestions |
| OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up GitHub Copilot in VS Code
1. Install Visual Studio Code
If you haven’t installed VS Code yet, download it from the official website. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. After installation, launch the application.
2. Install the GitHub Copilot Extension
- Open VS Code.
- Click on the Extensions icon on the Activity Bar (or press
Ctrl+Shift+X). - Search for “GitHub Copilot”.
- Select the extension published by GitHub.
- Click Install.
“The GitHub Copilot extension for VS Code is lightweight and integrates seamlessly into the IDE’s existing UX.”
3. Authenticate with GitHub
Once the extension is installed, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your GitHub account:
- Click on “Sign in to GitHub”.
- A browser window will open where you authorize GitHub Copilot.
- After authorization, return to VS Code. You’ll see a confirmation message when login is successful.
Make sure your GitHub account is subscribed to Copilot, otherwise you won’t be able to access its features.
4. Start Using Copilot
Once authentication is complete, you’re all set! GitHub Copilot will now start suggesting code as you type. Try creating a simple file such as hello.py or main.js and begin typing a function like:
def get_weather():
Copilot will automatically suggest a completion based on common patterns. Accept suggestions by pressing Tab.
5. Customizing Copilot Settings
Copilot can be personalized through its settings menu in VS Code:
- Go to Settings (File > Preferences > Settings or
Ctrl+,). - Search for
Copilot. - You can enable/disable Copilot on specific file types, toggle inline suggestions, and more.
Additionally, you can use the Ctrl+Enter shortcut to bring up Copilot’s panel for alternate suggestions.
Best Practices When Using GitHub Copilot
- Always review generated code carefully to ensure correctness and security.
- Use Copilot to assist—not replace—your problem-solving and debugging skills.
- Combine Copilot with proper documentation and testing.
“Copilot can dramatically speed up the development process, but it’s not a substitute for engineering judgment.” — Software Engineering Today
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Despite its usefulness, GitHub Copilot isn’t perfect:
- May produce incorrect or insecure code.
- Occasionally suggests deprecated or inefficient approaches.
- Does not understand complex project-level context very well.
- Relies heavily on patterns found in public repositories (may reflect biases or legacy practices).
💡 Tip: Treat Copilot as a coding partner. Validate and test everything it suggests.
Security and Privacy Considerations
When using Copilot, your code snippets may be transmitted to GitHub’s servers for processing. While GitHub claims to avoid storing sensitive data, you should avoid feeding it proprietary or confidential code unless you are comfortable with the terms of service.
“Using GitHub Copilot in a secure development environment requires clear guidelines and awareness about data handling.” — DevSecOps Weekly
Using Copilot Effectively with VS Code Features
To make the most of GitHub Copilot, leverage it alongside these powerful VS Code features:
| VS Code Feature | Benefit with Copilot |
|---|---|
| IntelliSense | Enhances suggestions by offering context-aware completions. |
| Code Snippets | Works alongside Copilot to reduce typing for boilerplate structures. |
| Live Share | Allows remote pair programming even with Copilot involved. |
| Debugging Tools | Let you test and refine code Copilot generates. |
🧠 Remember: The synergy between Copilot and built-in VS Code tools is where the real productivity boost happens.
Disabling or Pausing Copilot
If Copilot becomes intrusive or you wish to disable it temporarily, here’s how:
- Open Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P). - Type “Copilot”.
- Select “Disable Copilot” or “Pause Suggestions”.
You can always re-enable it from the same menu.
Conclusion
Setting up GitHub Copilot in VS Code is a straightforward process that opens the door to a more dynamic, responsive, and creative coding experience. Whether you’re writing Python scripts, building web apps, or working on C++ projects, Copilot can be a powerful partner in your IDE.
“JetBrains IDEs are widely regarded for their intelligent features. With GitHub Copilot, that intelligence reaches a whole new level.”
Supported JetBrains IDEs
GitHub Copilot works with several JetBrains IDEs, including:
- IntelliJ IDEA (Ultimate & Community)
- PyCharm
- WebStorm
- PhpStorm
- GoLand
- Rider
- RubyMine
As long as your JetBrains IDE is version 2021.2 or later, you should be able to install and use the GitHub Copilot plugin.
🧩 Copilot in JetBrains products behaves similarly to VS Code, offering suggestions as you type, within the context of your current file and language.
System Requirements
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| JetBrains IDE Version | 2021.2 or newer |
| GitHub Account | Active Copilot subscription (Individual or Business) |
| Internet Access | Required to fetch AI suggestions |
| Plugin Repository Access | IDE should be able to connect to JetBrains Plugin Marketplace |
Installing GitHub Copilot in JetBrains IDEs
Follow these steps to integrate GitHub Copilot into your JetBrains environment:
- Open your JetBrains IDE (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA).
- Go to File > Settings > Plugins (or Preferences on macOS).
- Click on the Marketplace tab.
- Search for GitHub Copilot.
- Click Install on the GitHub Copilot plugin.
- Restart your IDE to complete the installation.
“Installation is seamless and requires just a couple of clicks. The plugin integrates natively into the editor’s UI.” — JetBrains Plugin Review
Authentication Process
Once installed, GitHub Copilot needs to authenticate with your GitHub account. Here’s how:
- Upon IDE restart, a login prompt will appear.
- Click on Sign in with GitHub.
- Your browser will open, allowing you to authorize the plugin.
- Once complete, return to the IDE. A success message will confirm activation.
🔐 Note: You must have an active subscription to Copilot; otherwise, you’ll be limited to a trial or see disabled features.
How Copilot Works in JetBrains IDEs
Just like in VS Code, Copilot begins suggesting code as soon as you start typing. The AI is trained on billions of lines of public code and tries to understand what you’re writing based on:
- File name
- Current context in the file
- Comments and docstrings
- Language-specific conventions
For example, in PyCharm, if you type:
def calculate_tax(income):Copilot might suggest:
if income <= 10000:
return 0
elif income <= 50000:
return income * 0.1
else:
return income * 0.2Keyboard Shortcuts & Usage Tips
Here are the main ways to interact with GitHub Copilot in JetBrains IDEs:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Accept suggestion | Tab |
| Cycle to next suggestion | Alt + ] |
| Cycle to previous suggestion | Alt + [ |
| Open Copilot panel | Alt + \ |
✨ Pro Tip: Combine Copilot with JetBrains’ refactoring tools for maximum efficiency.
Managing Copilot Settings
To customize Copilot behavior in your IDE:
- Go to Settings > Tools > GitHub Copilot.
- Enable or disable suggestions for specific file types.
- Choose when Copilot should activate (on keystroke, on demand, etc.).
- Adjust logging or feedback features.
Best Practices for Copilot in Professional Projects
- Always review AI-generated code, especially for edge cases.
- Make sure the suggestions follow your team’s coding standards.
- Don’t expose API keys or proprietary data in Copilot inputs.
- Use Copilot in combination with code reviews and testing.
“Think of Copilot as an accelerant, not an autopilot. It gets you there faster, but you still need to steer.” — Engineering Manager, Fintech Startup
Security and Team Use
For organizations using Copilot, GitHub has introduced Copilot for Business. This allows centralized control, analytics, and policy management.
| Feature | Copilot Individual | Copilot for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Controls | No | Yes |
| SSO Support | No | Yes |
| Analytics Dashboard | No | Yes |
| License Management | Manual | Centralized |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If GitHub Copilot isn’t working correctly in your JetBrains IDE, try the following:
- Ensure your IDE is updated to the latest version.
- Check your GitHub login and subscription status.
- Restart the IDE after plugin installation or update.
- Check for proxy or firewall rules blocking GitHub’s services.
😕 Still stuck? Use the Help > Show Log feature in JetBrains to check for error messages.
Conclusion
Whether you’re writing enterprise-level Java applications in IntelliJ IDEA or scripting in Python with PyCharm, GitHub Copilot brings a powerful layer of AI support to your development process. Its integration with JetBrains IDEs is smooth, highly customizable, and capable of fitting into both individual and team workflows.
In combination with the first part of this guide for VS Code, you now have a complete understanding of how to set up and use GitHub Copilot across two of the most widely-used development environments in the world.
💻 From idea to implementation, GitHub Copilot is helping developers focus on what matters most—building great software.