Using GitHub Copilot in your IDE: Tips, tricks, and best practices

AI tools, particularly GitHub Copilot, have become essential in enhancing coding productivity by providing intelligent code completion and context-aware suggestions. As GitHub Copilot evolves, it now offers features such as a chat interface, command line tools, and integration with IDEs, which expands its utility beyond simple code completion. To leverage these capabilities effectively, users should provide context-rich prompts, open relevant files, and use descriptive variable names to improve the quality of Copilot's suggestions. Additionally, GitHub Copilot Chat allows for interactive debugging and support, with features like inline chat and slash commands enhancing user interaction. While GitHub Copilot excels in generating boilerplate code, writing documentation, and debugging, the user remains in control, using the tool as an assistant rather than a replacement for manual coding. By adopting best practices and understanding the tool’s strengths, developers can significantly boost their efficiency and coding output.