GitHub Copilot

AI coding assistant inside VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs and GitHub: code completion, chat and agent mode.

Freemium AI for Programming Updated 21 Oct 2026

What it is

GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant from GitHub. It suggests code as you type, answers questions about your code in a chat panel, and can make multi-file changes in agent mode. It works in popular editors such as Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio and JetBrains IDEs, as well as on GitHub itself.

Best for

  • Boilerplate: DTOs, mappings, guard clauses and repetitive tests
  • Explaining unfamiliar code in the file you have open
  • Writing unit tests and small functions from a clear comment or prompt
  • Multi-file changes that follow existing patterns (agent mode), on a branch
  • Pull request summaries and review help on GitHub (depending on plan)

How to start

  1. Sign in to GitHub and enable Copilot from your account settings, or ask your organisation's admin for access.
  2. Install the GitHub Copilot extension in your editor and sign in.
  3. Check your organisation's policy on AI tools and on suggestions matching public code.

Example prompts (in the Copilot chat)

Explain what this method does and list edge cases it does not handle.

Write xUnit tests for OrderService.CreateAsync covering the happy path,
an empty cart and a missing customer. Use our existing test style.

Pricing

There is a free tier with monthly limits, and paid plans for individuals, teams and enterprises with more usage and features. Students and some open-source maintainers may get access through GitHub programs. Check GitHub's official pricing page for details.

Watch out for

  • Read every suggestion before accepting it. Completions are fast guesses and can be wrong in business logic.
  • Never commit secrets that appear in suggestions, and never paste secrets into chat.
  • Review agent-mode changes as a pull request: on a branch, with tests.

Our tip

Commit before every AI change so git diff shows you exactly what Copilot did. Our course AI for Developers covers safe workflows for tests, refactoring and security.

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