What Is GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot is an AI coding tool by Microsoft / GitHub. It resides as an extension in existing editors (VS Code, JetBrains, Vim, etc.) and completes code as you write. It's the standard "first AI tool for beginners."
How to Start
1. Subscribe
- Subscribe at github.com/features/copilot
- Price: Individual USD 10/mo, Business USD 19, Enterprise USD 39
- 30-day free trial
- Free for students/OSS maintainers
2. Add the Extension to Your Editor
- VS Code: Extensions → "GitHub Copilot"
- JetBrains: Plugins → "GitHub Copilot"
- Vim/Neovim: copilot.vim plugin
- Xcode: official plugin (Beta)
3. Link a GitHub Account
Log into GitHub in the browser on first launch. Auth for code suggestions and subscription confirmation.
3 Basic Features
1. Completion (Inline Suggestions)
AI suggests the continuation in gray text as you write. Accept with Tab, reject with Esc, Alt+] for next candidate.
2. Copilot Chat
Chat in the right panel. Ask "explain this code," "write tests." Auto-includes the editor selection in context.
3. /commands
- /explain: code explanation
- /fix: error fix
- /tests: test generation
- /doc: add doc comments
- /optimize: performance improvement
Copilot's Strengths
- Rides on existing editors as-is: painless adoption for VS Code/JetBrains dwellers
- Lightweight/fast: instant Tab completion
- GitHub integration: generate Issues, PRs, commit messages
- Cheapest pricing: Individual USD 10/mo
Difference from Cursor
| Copilot | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Extension | Standalone editor |
| Completion speed | Fast | Faster |
| Multi-file changes | Weak | Strong (Composer) |
| Model selection | Limited | Rich |
| Price | USD 10 | USD 20 |
Custom Instructions
Place .github/copilot-instructions.md in the project and Copilot always references it:
# .github/copilot-instructions.md - Language: TypeScript strict - Tests: Vitest - Naming: camelCase - import: use absolute paths
Pull Request Reviewer
Copilot also handles GitHub PR review:
- Auto review comments when a PR is created
- "This bug possibility," "should add tests"
- Available on the Enterprise plan
Sticking Points
- Tab-completion runaway: an unintended long prediction enters → reject with Esc
- Old-library assumptions: old APIs suggested due to training cutoff
- Confidential-code sending: "exclusion setting" possible from Business up
Security Features
- Public-code duplicate detection
- "Telemetry OFF" setting
- Business: code exclusion, SSO, SAML
Next Step
Copilot is best for those wanting a light adoption start. Once used to it, consider using it with Cursor or Claude Code.
