Getting Started: How to Install GitHub Copilot in VS Code (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Before diving into all the awesome things GitHub Copilot can do, let’s make sure you’ve got everything set up and ready to go. Don’t worry—this part is super beginner-friendly, and I’ll walk you through each step.

✅ What You’ll Need First

Before you can install GitHub Copilot, make sure you’ve got these three things in place:

  1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
    This is the code editor where Copilot lives. It’s free, lightweight, and works great for lots of programming languages.
    👉 If you haven’t installed it yet, head to code.visualstudio.com and download it.

  2. A GitHub Account
    Since Copilot is made by GitHub, you’ll need an account there. If you don’t have one, go to github.com and sign up—it’s free!

  3. Access to GitHub Copilot

    • There’s a free plan with limited usage (great for testing it out).

    • There’s also a paid plan for unlimited access, and usually a free trial is available.

    • Bonus: If you’re a verified student, teacher, or an open-source maintainer, you might qualify for free access.

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Install GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Step 1: Open Visual Studio Code
Just launch the app on your computer.

Step 2: Open the Extensions Marketplace
Click the square icon on the sidebar (left side of the window), or press Ctrl + Shift + X (or Cmd + Shift + X on a Mac).

Step 3: Search for “GitHub Copilot”
Type that into the search bar at the top, then hit Enter.

Step 4: Select the Extension
Find the one that says “GitHub Copilot” (by GitHub), and click on it.

Step 5: Click “Install”
Hit the Install button to add it to VS Code.

Step 6: (Optional but Recommended) Install “GitHub Copilot Chat”
To get access to chat features, install the GitHub Copilot Chat extension the same way.

Step 7: Reload if Prompted
VS Code might ask you to reload to activate the extension—go ahead and click “Reload.”

🔐 Signing in to GitHub & Activating Copilot

After installing, you’ll need to sign in to GitHub and connect Copilot:

Step 1: Look for the Sign-In Prompt
You’ll usually get a pop-up. If not, check the “Accounts” icon (person symbol) in the lower left sidebar, or look for a Copilot icon in the bottom bar.

Step 2: Click “Sign in to GitHub” or “Set up Copilot”
Start the sign-in process.

Step 3: Authorize in Your Browser
A browser tab will open—just follow the prompts to authorize VS Code to use your GitHub account.

Step 4: Click “Authorize”
Approve the connection by clicking the Authorize button.

Step 5: Return to VS Code
You’ll now see a little Copilot icon (often an “@” symbol) in the bottom-right corner of the window. That means Copilot is ready to roll!

✅ How to Double-Check Everything’s Working

  • Look for the Copilot icon in the bottom-right corner of VS Code.

  • Open the Extensions view again (Ctrl + Shift + X or Cmd + Shift + X) and make sure:

    • GitHub Copilot is listed as installed.

    • GitHub Copilot Chat is there too, if you added it.

Congrats! You’re all set up. Now you can start exploring Copilot’s features and get real-time help as you code.

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