GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered code assistant designed to enhance developers’ productivity by suggesting code snippets, functions, and even entire classes as they type. If you’re a beginner looking to get started with GitHub Copilot for free, follow this comprehensive guide.

Sign Up for GitHub Copilot

1. Create a GitHub Account: If you don’t have one, visit the GitHub website to sign up for a free account.
2. Accessing GitHub Copilot Free:
   • Students: If you’re a student, you can access GitHub Copilot for free through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. Ensure your student status is verified by GitHub.
   • Open Source Maintainers: Project maintainers of popular open-source projects can also use GitHub Copilot for free
3. Trial Option: You can start with a free trial of GitHub Copilot Pro if you want to explore its full features without immediate commitment

Install Visual Studio Code

1. Download VS Code: Visit the Visual Studio Code website and download the application suitable for your operating system.
2. Install VS Code: Follow the installation instructions provided on the website.

Install GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open VS Code: Launch Visual Studio Code after installation.
2. Install the Extension:
   • Go to the Extensions view by pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
   • Search for “GitHub Copilot” and click “Install” to add the extension to your editor
3. Sign In to GitHub:
   • After installation, open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P.
   • Type “GitHub Copilot: Sign in” and follow the prompts to authorize the extension with your GitHub account

Start Using GitHub Copilot

1. Writing Code: Begin typing code in a new or existing file. As you type, suggestions will appear automatically. You can select a suggestion by pressing the Tab key to insert it into your code.
2. Asking Questions: You can interact with GitHub Copilot by asking it questions directly in your code editor or through the chat feature if available:
   • For example, you can ask it to explain a piece of code or suggest improvements.
3. Explore Features:
   • Use keyboard shortcuts to accept suggestions, cycle through multiple suggestions, and more.
   • Familiarize yourself with how to prompt Copilot effectively for better responses.

Additional Resources

• Documentation: Check out the official GitHub Copilot documentation for detailed guides on using various features.
• Tutorials and Courses: Consider watching tutorials on platforms like YouTube that provide walkthroughs on using GitHub Copilot effectively.

By following these steps, you can successfully set up and start using GitHub Copilot for free, enhancing your coding experience and productivity as you learn to navigate this powerful tool.