How to Use GitHub Copilot X in VS Code: Boost Your Coding Journey

GitHub Copilot X is an advanced AI-powered coding assistant designed to help developers accelerate their coding process and improve their programming skills.

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to set up and use GitHub Copilot X in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) to maximize its potential and enhance your coding workflow.

Introduction to GitHub Copilot X

GitHub Copilot X is a powerful AI-driven coding assistant that offers advanced code suggestions based on the context of your project. This cutting-edge tool is designed to help developers speed up their coding process, reduce repetitive tasks, and learn best practices by providing context-aware code snippets and solutions.

GitHub Copilot

Installation and setup

To start using GitHub Copilot X, you’ll need to install VS Code and the GitHub Copilot extension. To install and configure the GitHub Copilot X extension in VS Code, please adhere to the following instructions:

Step 1: Install VS Code

If you haven’t already, download and install VS Code from the official website.

Step 2: Install the GitHub Copilot extension

• Launch VS Code and access the extensions view by selecting the square icon located in the sidebar.
• Search for “GitHub Copilot” in the search bar.
• Locate the GitHub Copilot extension in the search results and click on the “Install” button adjacent to it.

Configuration

Once the GitHub Copilot X extension is installed, you can configure it to fit your preferences. To access the configuration options, follow these steps:

• Open the VS Code settings by clicking on the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the window and selecting “Settings.”
• In the settings search bar, type “copilot” to display the available configuration options.

Here’s a brief overview of the available configuration options:

• Public code filter: Enable or disable the filter that detects code suggestions matching public code on GitHub. When enabled, GitHub Copilot X checks code suggestions against public code on GitHub to ensure originality.
• Chat window: Toggle the chat window feature to either enable or disable it. This feature enables you to seek assistance and ask questions regarding your code directly from the AI assistant.
• Suggestions: Choose between basic and advanced code suggestions. Advanced suggestions provide more in-depth and context-aware code snippets to enhance your coding experience.

How to use GitHub Copilot X

With GitHub Copilot X installed and configured in your VS Code environment, you’re now ready to start taking advantage of its powerful features. Here’s how to use GitHub Copilot X for your coding projects:

• Open a file in VS Code and start typing code in a supported programming language. As you type, GitHub Copilot X will provide context-aware suggestions for your code.
• To accept a suggestion, press the “Tab” key. The suggested code snippet will be automatically inserted into your code.
• If you require assistance with your code or have a question, utilize the chat window. Type your question in the chat window, and GitHub Copilot X will offer a suitable answer or solution.

Maximizing GitHub Copilot X’s potential

To make the most of GitHub Copilot X’s features, follow these tips for effective usage:

• Learn the keyboard shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with the various keyboard shortcuts provided by GitHub Copilot X, as they can significantly speed up your coding process.
• Use GitHub Copilot X for repetitive tasks: The AI-powered coding assistant excels at automating repetitive tasks such as generating boilerplate code or filling out forms. Utilize its capabilities for these tasks to save time and focus on more complex coding challenges.
• Use GitHub Copilot X to learn: As you work with GitHub Copilot X, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of code patterns and best practices. This exposure can help improve your coding skills and make you a better developer overall.

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Getting started with GitHub Copilot X in VS Code

Supported languages and frameworks

GitHub Copilot X provides support for a broad spectrum of programming languages and frameworks, including, but not limited to:

• JavaScript
• TypeScript
• Python
• Ruby
• Java
• C#
• PHP
• HTML
• CSS
• React
• Angular
• Vue.js
• Node.js
• Express
• Django
• Ruby on Rails

This extensive language and framework support ensures that GitHub Copilot X can assist you in a variety of coding projects, regardless of your preferred technology stack. Just so you know, this is not an exhaustive list, and GitHub Copilot X may also support additional languages and frameworks.

Code generation examples

To gain a better understanding of GitHub Copilot X’s capabilities, here are a few examples of code generation for different programming languages and frameworks:

• Example 1: JavaScript function to add two numbers

// Generate a function to add two numbers
function add(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

• Example 2: React hook import

// Import useState and useEffect hooks from React
import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

• Example 3: Express CORS import

// Import CORS middleware for Express
const cors = require('cors');

• Example 4: HTML unordered list

<!-- Create an unordered list with items "Apples", "Bananas", and "Oranges" -->
<ul>
  <li>Apples</li>
  <li>Bananas</li>
  <li>Oranges</li>
</ul>

These examples illustrate how GitHub Copilot X can quickly generate code snippets based on your comments and requirements, making your coding process more efficient.

Coding with GitHub Copilot X – Image via Pixabay

Security and privacy considerations

When using GitHub Copilot X, it’s essential to consider the security and privacy implications of integrating an AI-powered coding assistant into your development environment. Here are a few security and privacy considerations to keep in mind:

• Sensitive information: Be cautious when working with sensitive information, as GitHub Copilot X may suggest code snippets based on your input. Make sure not to include sensitive data in your code comments or chat window queries.
• Code originality: Although GitHub Copilot X has a public code filter, it’s always a good idea to double-check the generated code snippets to ensure they do not inadvertently contain code copied from public repositories.
• Accuracy: Although the AI-driven coding assistant strives to provide accurate and relevant code suggestions, it may occasionally generate incorrect or suboptimal code. Always review the suggested code snippets for accuracy and quality before integrating them into your project.
• Context-awareness: While GitHub Copilot X is designed to be context-aware, it may not always fully understand the nuances of your specific project or use case. Be prepared to fine-tune the generated code snippets to better suit your requirements.

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot X is a game-changing tool that can help developers code faster, improve their skills, and reduce repetitive tasks. By adhering to this extensive guide, you can successfully install, configure, and utilize GitHub Copilot X within VS Code, enabling you to harness its full potential and enhance your coding experience.

Remember to use it wisely, always review the generated code snippets, and make the most of its features to become a more efficient and skilled developer.