15 Essential GitHub Copilot Features to Enhance Your Coding Workflow Link to heading
GitHub Copilot has emerged as one of the leading AI-powered coding assistants, transforming how developers approach programming tasks. As GitHub’s official AI pair programmer, it offers a range of features designed to boost productivity and streamline the development process. In this article, we’ll explore the key features that make GitHub Copilot an essential tool for modern developers.
The demand for faster, more efficient coding practices continues to grow in today’s development landscape. GitHub Copilot addresses this need by providing intelligent assistance at every stage of the coding process. Let’s examine the 15 most valuable features that are changing how developers interact with their code.
1. Code Completion Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot predicts and suggests code as you type, providing context-aware completions that range from simple expressions to entire function implementations. It learns from your coding style and adapts to your preferences over time.
Sample Link to heading
// Example: Creating a method to calculate the Fibonacci sequence in C#
public int Fibonacci(int n)
{
if (n <= 1) return n;
return Fibonacci(n - 1) + Fibonacci(n - 2);
}
// When you start typing a call to this method
var result = Fibonacci(10); // Copilot might suggest this complete line
Copilot can suggest the entire method implementation or just the method call, depending on the context of your code.
For more information, see GitHub Copilot features.
2. Copilot Chat Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot Chat provides a conversational interface where developers can ask coding-related questions, request explanations, and get assistance with specific programming tasks in natural language.
Use Cases Link to heading
- Code explanation: “Explain how this ASP.NET Core dependency injection works”
- Problem solving: “How do I implement authentication in a .NET API?”
- Debugging assistance: “Why am I getting this NullReferenceException in my code?”
- Best practices: “What’s the most efficient way to query a large dataset in Entity Framework?”
Copilot Chat is available in supported IDEs (VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, Xcode) and directly on GitHub.com.
For more details, check out GitHub Copilot Chat documentation.
3. Multi-File Edits with Agent Mode Link to heading
Description Link to heading
Copilot can understand and modify code across multiple files, helping developers implement complex changes that span throughout their codebase.
Capabilities Link to heading
- Context awareness: Understands relationships between different files in your project
- Consistent changes: Maintains coherence when modifying related code in different locations
- Autonomous operation: In Agent mode, Copilot can determine which files need changes, make those changes, and iterate until the task is complete
- Developer control: In Edit mode, you can approve each change before it’s applied
Sample Link to heading
// Example: Adding a new user management feature across multiple files
// In UserController.cs
[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class UserController : ControllerBase
{
private readonly IUserService _userService;
public UserController(IUserService userService)
{
_userService = userService;
}
[HttpGet("{id}")]
public async Task<ActionResult<UserDto>> GetUser(string id)
{
var user = await _userService.GetUserByIdAsync(id);
if (user == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Ok(user);
}
}
// In UserService.cs
public class UserService : IUserService
{
private readonly IUserRepository _userRepository;
public UserService(IUserRepository userRepository)
{
_userRepository = userRepository;
}
public async Task<UserDto> GetUserByIdAsync(string id)
{
var user = await _userRepository.GetByIdAsync(id);
if (user == null) return null;
return new UserDto
{
Id = user.Id,
Username = user.Username,
Email = user.Email,
CreatedAt = user.CreatedAt
};
}
}
// In IUserService.cs
public interface IUserService
{
Task<UserDto> GetUserByIdAsync(string id);
}
This feature is particularly valuable for refactoring tasks or implementing new features that affect multiple parts of your application.
Read more about Copilot Edits in the VS Code documentation.
4. Next Edit Suggestions Link to heading
Description Link to heading
Copilot predicts where you’re likely to make your next edit and suggests completions in those locations, improving workflow efficiency by anticipating your coding intentions.
Benefits Link to heading
- Reduced context switching: Suggestions appear where you’re likely to edit next
- Workflow acceleration: Less time spent navigating to the next edit location
- Intuitive coding: The suggestions feel natural and align with your coding flow
Sample Link to heading
// When writing a series of related methods in a class
public class OrderProcessor
{
public async Task<Order> CreateOrderAsync(OrderRequest request)
{
// Code to create an order
}
// Copilot might suggest this next method:
public async Task<Order> UpdateOrderAsync(string orderId, OrderUpdateRequest request)
{
// Code to update an order
}
// And then predict you'll need this method next:
public async Task<bool> CancelOrderAsync(string orderId)
{
// Code to cancel an order
}
}
This feature helps maintain your train of thought and reduces the cognitive load of remembering where changes need to be made next.
Learn more from GitHub’s Copilot features page.
5. Pull Request Summaries Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot automatically generates concise, informative summaries of pull requests, highlighting key changes, affected files, and areas that reviewers should focus on.
Components Link to heading
- Change overview: A high-level summary of what the PR accomplishes
- File impact analysis: Which files were modified and how
- Review focus areas: Suggestions on which parts of the code deserve special attention
- Potential issues: Highlighting of possible problems or concerns
Sample Summary Link to heading
This PR implements user authentication functionality with the following changes:
Key changes:
- Adds new UserAuthController with login and registration endpoints
- Creates JwtTokenService for generating and validating tokens
- Implements password hashing in UserService
- Adds authentication middleware configuration in Startup.cs
- Includes unit tests for authentication logic
Areas that might need attention:
- The token expiration time is currently set to 1 hour - consider if this meets requirements
- Error handling in the authentication flow might need additional testing
- Password policy implementation is basic and may need enhancement
This feature streamlines the code review process by providing valuable context and saving reviewers time in understanding the PR’s purpose and scope.
For more information, visit Creating a pull request summary with GitHub Copilot.
6. Copilot in the CLI Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot extends its assistance to the command line, helping developers with terminal commands, explanations, and suggestions directly in their console environment.
Sample Interactions Link to heading
- “How do I list all stopped Docker containers?”
- “What’s the command to scaffold a new ASP.NET Core Web API project?”
- “Create a PowerShell command to find all .cs files modified in the last week”
- “Generate a git command to squash my last three commits”
Sample Output Link to heading
> Copilot: create a dotnet command to add a migration for entity framework
Command: dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate
Explanation: This command adds a new EF Core migration named "InitialCreate".
You'll need to have the EF Core tools installed (dotnet tool install --global dotnet-ef)
and have DbContext configured in your project.
This feature is particularly helpful for developers who need to navigate complex command-line operations or who are learning new CLI tools.
Check out Using GitHub Copilot in the command line for more details.
7. Code Review Suggestions Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot analyzes code and provides review suggestions, helping developers identify potential bugs, security vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement before submitting their code for human review.
Types of Feedback Link to heading
- Bug detection: Identifying logical errors and edge cases
- Security issues: Flagging potential vulnerabilities like SQL injection or XSS
- Performance optimization: Suggesting more efficient approaches
- Code style improvements: Recommending cleaner, more maintainable code patterns
Sample Link to heading
// Original code with issues
public void ProcessUserInput(string username)
{
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(_connectionString))
{
connection.Open();
string query = "SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Username = '" + username + "'";
var command = new SqlCommand(query, connection);
var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
{
// Process user data
}
}
}
// Copilot review suggestion:
// This code has a SQL injection vulnerability. Consider using parameterized queries:
public void ProcessUserInput(string username)
{
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(_connectionString))
{
connection.Open();
string query = "SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Username = @Username";
var command = new SqlCommand(query, connection);
command.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Username", username);
using (var reader = command.ExecuteReader())
{
while (reader.Read())
{
// Process user data
}
}
}
}
This proactive review process helps catch issues early in the development cycle, reducing the time spent in formal code reviews.
Read more about Using GitHub Copilot code review.
8. Knowledge Bases (Enterprise Feature) Link to heading
Description Link to heading
For GitHub Copilot Enterprise users, Knowledge Bases allow teams to create and manage collections of documentation that Copilot can use as context when answering questions.
Applications Link to heading
- Company-specific practices: Incorporate internal coding standards and best practices
- Project documentation: Add project architecture and design documents as context
- API information: Include details about internal APIs and services
- Onboarding materials: Help new team members understand company-specific code
Sample Link to heading
// Developer asks Copilot about the company's logging standards
// Copilot responds based on the knowledge base:
// Recommended implementation based on company standards:
public class OrderService
{
private readonly ILogger<OrderService> _logger;
public OrderService(ILogger<OrderService> logger)
{
_logger = logger;
}
public async Task ProcessOrder(Order order)
{
try
{
_logger.LogInformation("Processing order {OrderId} for customer {CustomerId}",
order.Id, order.CustomerId);
// Process the order
_logger.LogInformation("Successfully processed order {OrderId}", order.Id);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
_logger.LogError(ex, "Failed to process order {OrderId}", order.Id);
throw;
}
}
}
This feature ensures that Copilot’s suggestions align with your organization’s specific requirements and knowledge.
For more information, see Managing Copilot knowledge bases.
9. Custom Instructions Link to heading
Description Link to heading
Developers can provide custom instructions to personalize GitHub Copilot’s responses based on their preferences, tools, organizational knowledge, and coding best practices.
Customization Options Link to heading
- Preferred coding styles: Specify formatting and structural preferences
- Technology stack guidance: Focus on specific frameworks or libraries
- Educational level: Adjust explanations based on expertise
- Output format: Define how you want responses structured
Sample Instructions Link to heading
I prefer code that follows these guidelines:
- Use C# 12 features when appropriate
- Follow Microsoft's C# coding conventions
- Use dependency injection with constructor injection
- Use async/await for all I/O operations
- Handle exceptions with appropriate try/catch blocks
- Include XML documentation comments for public APIs
- Use the repository pattern for data access
- Follow Clean Architecture principles
When explaining concepts, please reference relevant .NET documentation.
This personalization ensures that Copilot’s assistance aligns precisely with your individual or team needs.
Check out Custom instructions for GitHub Copilot Chat.
10. Copilot Workspace Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot Workspace offers a dedicated environment where developers can brainstorm, plan, build, test, and run code using natural language instructions from initial concept to finished software.
Workflow Link to heading
- Ideation: Brainstorm and develop concepts using natural language
- Planning: Break down tasks and create implementation strategies
- Coding: Generate and refine code based on your instructions
- Testing: Create and run tests to validate functionality
- Execution: Run and see your code in action
Sample Link to heading
// User prompt: "Create a simple REST API for a todo list using ASP.NET Core"
// Copilot Workspace might generate a complete project structure:
// TodoController.cs
[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class TodoController : ControllerBase
{
private static List<TodoItem> _items = new();
[HttpGet]
public ActionResult<IEnumerable<TodoItem>> GetAll()
{
return Ok(_items);
}
[HttpGet("{id}")]
public ActionResult<TodoItem> GetById(int id)
{
var item = _items.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == id);
if (item == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Ok(item);
}
[HttpPost]
public ActionResult<TodoItem> Create(TodoItem item)
{
item.Id = _items.Count > 0 ? _items.Max(x => x.Id) + 1 : 1;
_items.Add(item);
return CreatedAtAction(nameof(GetById), new { id = item.Id }, item);
}
[HttpPut("{id}")]
public IActionResult Update(int id, TodoItem item)
{
var existingItem = _items.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == id);
if (existingItem == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
existingItem.Title = item.Title;
existingItem.IsComplete = item.IsComplete;
return NoContent();
}
[HttpDelete("{id}")]
public IActionResult Delete(int id)
{
var item = _items.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == id);
if (item == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
_items.Remove(item);
return NoContent();
}
}
// TodoItem.cs
public class TodoItem
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Title { get; set; }
public bool IsComplete { get; set; }
}
This task-centric experience represents a new paradigm in development environments, where natural language drives the entire software creation process.
Learn more from GitHub Copilot Workspace announcement.
11. Copilot Extensions Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot Extensions are a type of GitHub App that integrates the power of external tools into GitHub Copilot Chat. These extensions can be developed by anyone, for private or public use, and can be shared through the GitHub Marketplace.
Key Benefits Link to heading
- Third-party integration: Connect Copilot with external services and tools
- Custom workflows: Create specialized workflows for specific development needs
- Extensibility: Build your own extensions to enhance Copilot’s capabilities
- Community sharing: Access extensions built by the wider developer community
Sample Use Case Link to heading
// A developer might ask Copilot to use a custom extension:
// "Use the Azure extension to create a new resource group and deploy my API"
// Copilot could generate deployment code:
public static async Task DeployToAzure()
{
var credentials = new DefaultAzureCredential();
var armClient = new ArmClient(credentials);
// Create resource group
var subscription = await armClient.GetDefaultSubscriptionAsync();
var resourceGroup = await subscription.GetResourceGroups()
.CreateOrUpdateAsync(
WaitUntil.Completed,
"MyApiResourceGroup",
new ResourceGroupData(new AzureLocation("eastus")));
Console.WriteLine($"Created resource group: {resourceGroup.Data.Name}");
// Additional deployment code would follow
}
Extensions allow developers to customize and extend Copilot’s functionality to suit their specific needs and toolchain.
For more information, see About building Copilot Extensions.
12. Model Selection Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot allows users to choose from different AI models to get the best results for their specific use cases. This includes models from both GitHub and third-party providers like Anthropic’s Claude.
Available Models Link to heading
- Default GitHub Copilot model: Optimized for general code completion
- Claude 3.5 Sonnet: Advanced capabilities for complex reasoning and explanation
- Other specialized models: Different models optimized for specific tasks or languages
Sample Use Case Link to heading
// When working on complex algorithms, you might switch to Claude 3.5 Sonnet:
// User prompt: "Implement a thread-safe caching mechanism with LRU eviction policy"
public class LruCache<TKey, TValue>
{
private readonly int _capacity;
private readonly Dictionary<TKey, LinkedListNode<CacheItem>> _cacheMap;
private readonly LinkedList<CacheItem> _lruList;
private readonly SemaphoreSlim _lock = new SemaphoreSlim(1, 1);
public LruCache(int capacity)
{
_capacity = capacity;
_cacheMap = new Dictionary<TKey, LinkedListNode<CacheItem>>(capacity);
_lruList = new LinkedList<CacheItem>();
}
public async Task<TValue> GetOrAddAsync(TKey key, Func<TKey, Task<TValue>> valueFactory)
{
await _lock.WaitAsync();
try
{
if (_cacheMap.TryGetValue(key, out var node))
{
// Move to front of list
_lruList.Remove(node);
_lruList.AddFirst(node);
return node.Value.Value;
}
// Get value from factory
var value = await valueFactory(key);
// Add to cache
AddToCache(key, value);
return value;
}
finally
{
_lock.Release();
}
}
private void AddToCache(TKey key, TValue value)
{
// If we're at capacity, remove least recently used item
if (_cacheMap.Count >= _capacity)
{
var lastNode = _lruList.Last;
_cacheMap.Remove(lastNode.Value.Key);
_lruList.RemoveLast();
}
// Add new item
var newNode = new LinkedListNode<CacheItem>(new CacheItem(key, value));
_lruList.AddFirst(newNode);
_cacheMap.Add(key, newNode);
}
private class CacheItem
{
public CacheItem(TKey key, TValue value)
{
Key = key;
Value = value;
}
public TKey Key { get; }
public TValue Value { get; }
}
}
The ability to select different models gives developers flexibility to choose the AI assistant that works best for their particular needs.
Learn more from GitHub’s announcement about model choice.
13. Copilot Text Completion Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub Copilot provides AI-generated text completion for non-code content like pull request descriptions, helping developers write clear, concise, and accurate documentation.
Applications Link to heading
- PR descriptions: Generate comprehensive descriptions of changes
- Documentation: Assist with writing technical documentation
- Comments: Help create meaningful code comments
- Commit messages: Suggest descriptive commit messages based on changes
Sample Link to heading
// User request: "Write a PR description for my changes that add authentication to the API"
# Add JWT Authentication to API
This PR implements JWT-based authentication for the API with the following changes:
## Changes
- Add `JwtBearerAuthentication` middleware to the ASP.NET Core pipeline
- Create `AuthController` with login/register endpoints
- Implement `JwtService` for token generation and validation
- Add user credential storage and validation in `UserService`
- Create authentication-related DTOs (LoginRequest, RegisterRequest, etc.)
- Update Swagger configuration to support authorization header
## How to Test
1. Register a new user with POST to `/api/auth/register`
2. Login with POST to `/api/auth/login` to receive a JWT token
3. Use the token in the Authorization header for subsequent requests
4. Verify protected endpoints return 401 without a valid token
## Security Considerations
- Passwords are hashed using BCrypt
- Tokens expire after 1 hour
- Refresh token functionality will be added in a future PR
This feature extends Copilot’s assistance beyond code to help with the documentation aspects of software development.
For more details, see Using Copilot text completion.
14. GitHub Copilot Skills in Chat Link to heading
Description Link to heading
Copilot Chat includes specialized skills that enhance its capabilities for specific tasks like debugging, testing, and explaining code.
Key Skills Link to heading
- Explain: Break down complex code into understandable explanations
- Test: Generate unit tests for your code
- Fix: Identify and suggest fixes for bugs in your code
- Document: Create documentation for your code
- Optimize: Suggest performance improvements
Sample Link to heading
// Original complex LINQ query
var result = customers
.Where(c => c.IsActive && c.Orders.Any(o => o.Status == OrderStatus.Pending))
.SelectMany(c => c.Orders)
.Where(o => o.TotalAmount > 1000 && o.Items.Count > 5)
.GroupBy(o => o.ShippingAddress.Country)
.Select(g => new CountrySalesReport {
Country = g.Key,
TotalOrders = g.Count(),
TotalAmount = g.Sum(o => o.TotalAmount),
AverageOrderValue = g.Average(o => o.TotalAmount)
})
.OrderByDescending(r => r.TotalAmount)
.ToList();
// Using Copilot's Explain skill might produce:
/*
This LINQ query:
1. Starts with a collection of customers
2. Filters for active customers who have at least one pending order
3. Gets all orders from these customers (using SelectMany)
4. Filters for orders with total amount over $1000 and more than 5 items
5. Groups these orders by the country in the shipping address
6. Creates a CountrySalesReport object for each country with:
- The country name
- Total order count in that country
- Sum of all order amounts
- Average order value
7. Sorts the results by total amount (highest first)
8. Converts the results to a List
*/
These skills focus Copilot’s capabilities on specific development tasks, making it easier to get targeted assistance.
Check out Using GitHub Copilot Chat skills for more information.
15. Copilot Free Tier Link to heading
Description Link to heading
GitHub has introduced a free tier for Copilot, making AI-powered coding assistance accessible to more developers. The free plan provides a limited number of code completions and chat messages per month.
Free Plan Includes Link to heading
- 2000 Code Completions per month: Get AI-powered code suggestions
- 50 Chat messages per month: Ask questions and get assistance
- Access to model selection: Choose from available models including Claude 3.5 Sonnet
- Copilot Extensions support: Use third-party extensions to enhance functionality
Sample Link to heading
// Even with the free tier, you can get significant help with complex tasks:
// User prompt: "Create a basic WebSocket client in C#"
using System;
using System.Net.WebSockets;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
public class WebSocketClient
{
private ClientWebSocket _client;
public async Task ConnectAsync(string url)
{
_client = new ClientWebSocket();
await _client.ConnectAsync(new Uri(url), CancellationToken.None);
Console.WriteLine($"Connected to {url}");
}
public async Task SendMessageAsync(string message)
{
if (_client.State != WebSocketState.Open)
{
throw new InvalidOperationException("Connection is not open");
}
var messageBytes = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(message);
await _client.SendAsync(
new ArraySegment<byte>(messageBytes),
WebSocketMessageType.Text,
true,
CancellationToken.None);
}
public async Task ReceiveMessagesAsync(Action<string> messageHandler, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
{
var buffer = new byte[1024];
while (_client.State == WebSocketState.Open && !cancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
{
var result = await _client.ReceiveAsync(
new ArraySegment<byte>(buffer),
cancellationToken);
if (result.MessageType == WebSocketMessageType.Close)
{
await _client.CloseAsync(
WebSocketCloseStatus.NormalClosure,
"Closing",
CancellationToken.None);
}
else
{
var message = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(buffer, 0, result.Count);
messageHandler(message);
}
}
}
public async Task DisconnectAsync()
{
if (_client.State == WebSocketState.Open)
{
await _client.CloseAsync(
WebSocketCloseStatus.NormalClosure,
"Closing",
CancellationToken.None);
}
_client.Dispose();
}
}
This free tier allows developers to experience the benefits of AI-assisted coding without a subscription.
Learn more from GitHub’s announcement of Copilot Free.
Conclusion Link to heading
GitHub Copilot is transforming software development by providing AI-powered assistance throughout the coding lifecycle. From code completion to comprehensive workspace environments, these features collectively enhance developer productivity and code quality.
As Copilot continues to evolve, developers who integrate these capabilities into their workflow gain a significant advantage in addressing complex programming challenges and delivering higher-quality code more efficiently.
The future of GitHub Copilot promises even more innovations as GitHub continues to refine and expand its AI capabilities, making software development more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable for developers at all levels.