Your coding game relies on GitHub configuration and if you are still using the outdated version of GitHub, chances are that you are missing out on a lot of amazing features and specifications that are designed to make your coding experience a walk in the park.
GitHub Copilot X is an AI-powered developer that’s designed to offer users a more personalized coding experience, one that’s driven with several advanced features including coding assistant, chat and voice features, and integrated GPT-4, all in one place.
We understand that with so many different AI tools available in the market, settling on one can be overwhelming. This article will break down all the features you need to know about GitHub Copilot X and how to get started with it.
What is GitHub Copilot X?
GitHub Copilot X is GitHub’s vision for the future of AI-powered software development. It is not a specific product or feature, but rather a set of ideas and goals for how GitHub Copilot can be used to make software development more efficient, productive, and enjoyable.
What’s great about this AI tool is that it offers advanced code suggestions that are rooted in the specific context of your project, making the whole experience a walk in the park.
Many users are often surprised to know that GitHub Copilot X is designed in collaboration between GitHub and OpenAI. The AI coding software has been designed to streamline the following:
- Coding process
- Minimize repetitive tasks
- Guide developers
- Introduce context-aware code snippets and solutions
GitHub Copilot X is still in development, but it has the potential to revolutionize software development. By automating repetitive tasks and providing helpful suggestions, GitHub Copilot X can help developers code faster, more efficiently, and with fewer errors.
What are the Features of GitHub Copilot X?
Simply understanding the basics of GitHub Copilot X isn’t enough if you don’t even familiarize yourself with the features.
To be fair, there are quite a few different features of this AI coding software that deserve a special mention and we have sorted out some of the critical ones for you here in this section of the guide.
1. Integrating with more development tools and platforms
Currently, GitHub Copilot only integrates with a limited number of development tools, such as Visual Studio Code and JetBrains IDEs. GitHub Copilot X aims to integrate with more tools and platforms so that developers can use it no matter what their preferred environment is.
2. Providing helpful coding suggestions
GitHub Copilot can suggest code for a variety of programming tasks, but it is not always accurate or helpful. GitHub Copilot X aims to improve the accuracy and helpfulness of its code suggestions so that developers can rely on it to get the job done. Kindly keep in consideration that this AI software is under development and the features are bound to improve as time passes.
3. Understanding the context of the code better
GitHub Copilot can understand the context of code to some extent, but it is not always perfect. GitHub Copilot X aims to improve its understanding of code context so that it can provide more relevant and accurate suggestions.
4. Proactively helping developers
GitHub Copilot is mostly reactive, meaning that it only provides suggestions when prompted by the developer. GitHub Copilot X aims to be more proactive, meaning that it will take the initiative to help developers with tasks such as code review and debugging.
These are a handful of the features of GitHub Copilot X that we think deserve a special mention in the list. The only thing we’d recommend you pay close attention to is the benefits it will integrate in the future.
In short, the primary objective of GitHub Copilot X software is to streamline your user experience concerning writing codes more efficiently. To install this AI tool, you have to install the Visual Studio code extension.
Setting up GitHub Copilot X – Step-by-Step Guide
As we mentioned just before, you need to install the Visual Studio Code (VS code) extension if you want to get started with using GitHub Copilot X.
It is a combination of a few complicated steps. So, what we’d recommend you do is follow the steps as mentioned:
1. Installing VS code
The very first step in the process is to install the VS code, which you can download directly from their website. Again, we have to reiterate that this is a mandatory process and not something you can skip.
2. Installing the GitHub Copilot extension
Following that, you have to install the GitHub Copilot extension. It is a multi-step process, so ensure that you are paying close attention to each step as mentioned.
- Start by launching the VS code software you finished installing. From there, you have to select the square icon that’s present in the sidebar.
- In the search bar, type GitHub Copilot to find it.
- Once you find the extension, tap on “Install” to start the installation process.
That’s pretty much it. Also, you have to ensure that your internet connectivity is stable and efficient during this period for a smooth installation.
How to Get Started with GitHub Copilot X?
Once you are done installing the extension, you are all set to get started with using the tool. What you fail to realize is the fact that getting started with your coding journey on this AI tool isn’t as simple as you think. There are a few factors that you have to pay close attention to.
Getting started with GitHub Copilot is again a multi-step process, so ensure that you follow the steps as mentioned:
1. Install the GitHub Copilot extension in the IDE
If you have installed VS code, the GitHub code extension is present there. We discussed the installation process in the previous section of the article.
To install the extension, you must open IDE navigate to the Extensions tab, and look for the GitHub Copilot extension in the search bar. From there, install the extension and restart your IDE.
2. Enable GitHub Copilot extension
Following installing the GitHub Copilot extension, the next step is to enable it so you can use it as per your requirements. Following are the steps you need to prioritize:
- Open your GitHub account settings navigate to “Code, planning and automation” and tap on GitHub Copilot.
- Under that, enable GitHub Copilot, and then you have to make the relevant payment based on whether you want to avail of the software on a monthly or yearly basis.
- It is mandatory to have the paid version
- to be able to maximize the usage.
For individuals, the platform costs $10/month and for businesses, it costs $19/month per user. We’d recommend you check the benefits for your perusal.
3. Get started with coding
Once you have enabled GitHub copilot, all that’s left is to get started with the coding process. As you keep typing your code, GitHub will keep suggesting codes that best fit your context.
If you are confused, the suggestions come up right below the editor in a pop-up window. Depending on how you like the suggestions, you can either accept the suggestions or drop them.
4. Prompt is the key
The kind of prompt that you use in the GitHub Copilot software makes all the difference. If you aren’t being specific and clear in the prompts you are making, chances are that you are already missing out on a lot.
For example, if you write “Write a function” without specifying the needs, the AI tool will give generic answers instead of specific ones that best align with your coding needs.
5. Simple language is what it wants
Just because you are using coding AI software doesn’t mean that your prompt’s language has to sound technical or have too much technical jargon. That is not how it works.
But, that said, you have to ensure that you aren’t straying away from the prompts too. Simple prompts that you will give to ChatGPT will work on GitHub Copilot as well.
6. Learn from it
One of the most important things about GitHub Copilot is the fact that more than a coding tool, it is a learning tool. You can simplify your learning experience and make coding even more simplified with this AI tool.
As a beginner coder, there’s nothing better than using this AI tool as a way to learn more about the nuances of coding. So, ensure that you are prioritizing its usage.
Overall, GitHub Copilot is a boon for the codes – Beginners and Advanced. Ensure that once you are done installing the extension, you can customize it according to your specific needs, further simplifying the whole coding experience.
Conclusion
Getting started with GitHub Copilot isn’t as simple as you initially thought, and neither is the tool free. However, if you are a developer and have been looking for some additional help and support, this is one of those tools that doesn’t disappoint. The only thing we’d recommend you prioritize is the quality of the prompt you are using.