GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer right in your editor, context-aware suggestions.
Description
GitHub Copilot suggests and autocompletes code directly in your IDE, plus a chat and agent mode for multi-file tasks, supporting most popular programming languages.
Pros
- Deep integration with VS Code, JetBrains
- Suggestions match your project's context well
- Saves time on repetitive code
Cons
- Chat, Agent mode, and code review draw from a paid AI Credits pool
- Suggestions sometimes need logic double-checking
What it does & solves
Copilot solves the blank-editor and boilerplate problem for developers. Instead of typing every test, CRUD handler, or config file by hand, you get inline completions as you type, a chat panel for debugging and explaining unfamiliar code, and an Agent mode that can plan and apply changes across several files from a plain-English description. It's fastest at repetitive, well-understood code and slower to trust on business-critical logic, where a human review still matters.
Use cases
- Autocompleting functions, tests, and boilerplate as you type
- Chatting with Copilot Chat to debug an error or a stack trace
- Using Agent mode to implement a multi-file feature from a plain-English description
- Generating commit messages and pull request descriptions
- Getting an automated first-pass code review on a pull request
- Running and explaining shell commands through Copilot CLI
- Asking Copilot to explain an unfamiliar file or function in a new codebase
Who it's for
Built for developers at any level working inside a supported IDE — from students learning to code to professional teams shipping production software. You should be comfortable reading and testing generated code, since Copilot suggestions still need a human to catch logic errors. Verified students, teachers, and maintainers of popular open-source repos get Pro at no cost instead of the capped Free tier.
Getting started
- 1Install the GitHub Copilot extension in VS Code, JetBrains, or another supported IDE and sign in with your GitHub account.
- 2Check your Copilot plan under GitHub billing settings — the Free tier activates automatically for eligible accounts.
- 3Start typing and accept inline suggestions with Tab, or open Copilot Chat for questions and multi-step tasks.
- 4Try Agent mode for a bigger task — describe the feature in plain English and let Copilot propose and apply changes across files.
- 5Review every suggested diff before committing, the same way you'd review a draft from a junior teammate.
Tips for using it well
- Write a specific comment describing exactly what the next function should do before you start typing — vague comments produce vague completions.
- Inline completions and next-edit suggestions don't draw from your AI Credits on paid plans — only Chat, Agent mode, code review, and Copilot CLI do, so lean on plain autocomplete for routine work.
- Use Agent mode for changes that span multiple files (e.g. 'add this API endpoint and its test') instead of stitching together single-file completions by hand.
- Switch to a lighter chat model for quick questions and save a heavier one for complex refactors — it stretches your credit pool further.
- Add a `.github/copilot-instructions.md` file to your repo so Copilot follows your team's coding conventions automatically.
Plans & pricing
Free plan: The Free plan includes roughly 2,000 code completions a month plus limited Chat and Agent mode access on entry-level models like Haiku 4.5 and GPT-5 mini. Verified students and maintainers of qualifying open-source projects get Pro free instead.
Pro
$10/month
Higher completion and chat limits, full Agent mode access, and a GitHub AI Credits pool for usage beyond the free allowances.
Pro+
$39/month
A larger AI Credits pool and access to more capable frontier models for heavier daily use.
Business
$19/user/month
Adds org-wide policy controls, IP indemnification, and centralized billing for teams.