Using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2022 | Setup & Guide

What is GitHub Copilot?

GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant created by GitHub and OpenAI. It helps you write code faster, solve problems, and learn new APIs by providing real-time suggestions, documentation, and entire code blocks right inside your IDE—including Visual Studio 2022!

🔹 How to Set Up GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 2022

Install the GitHub Copilot Extension
- Open Visual Studio 2022.
- Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions.
- Search for GitHub Copilot.
- Click Download and complete the installation.
- Restart Visual Studio if prompted.
Sign In to GitHub
- Once installed, you’ll see a Copilot pane or prompt.
- Click Sign in to GitHub and authorize your account in the browser.
Start Coding
- Open a file in a supported language (C#, C++, JavaScript, Python, etc.).
- Start typing, and Copilot will offer suggestions inline.

🔹 Key Features in Visual Studio 2022

✨ AI-Powered Code Suggestions

Suggests code completions, functions, and even whole files as you type.
Understands your code context for smarter suggestions.

💬 Inline Comments and Documentation

Generates inline comments and explanations for code.
Can help with docstring generation and summarizing code blocks.

🔄 Contextual Adaptation

Learns from your coding patterns and adapts suggestions accordingly.

🛠️ Supports Multiple Languages

Works with C#, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, and more.

🔹 Important Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut (Windows)
Accept suggestion	`Tab`
Reject suggestion	`Esc`
Next suggestion	`Alt+[`
Previous suggestion	`Alt+]`
Open Copilot Pane	`Ctrl+'`
Trigger inline suggestion	`Alt+\\` (backslash)

Shortcuts may be customizable in Visual Studio.
Check Tools > Options > Environment > Keyboard for details.

🔹 How to Use Copilot in Visual Studio 2022

Receive Suggestions Automatically:
As you type, suggestions appear as ghost text. Press Tab to accept.
Cycle Suggestions:
Use Alt+[ and Alt+] to see alternative completions.
Manual Suggestion Trigger:
Press Alt+\ to request a new suggestion on demand.
Edit or Discard:
Modify or delete the suggestion as needed. Press Esc to dismiss.
Copilot Pane:
Open the Copilot pane for more context, settings, or to send feedback.

🔹 Practical Tips

Start comments describing what you want (“// create a function to…”) and Copilot will often generate the function for you.
Works best in supported languages—C# support in Visual Studio is excellent!
You can edit, refine, or partially accept code snippets as you wish.

🔹 Copilot Licensing & Pricing

Free: For verified students, teachers, and select open-source maintainers.
Individual Plan: $10/month or $100/year.
Business Plan: $19/user/month with enterprise controls.

🔹 Final Thoughts

GitHub Copilot brings AI-powered code assistance directly into Visual Studio 2022, making coding faster, more productive, and more enjoyable.
Whether you’re building enterprise apps in C# or exploring new languages, Copilot is a valuable companion for every developer.

Have questions or want to optimize Copilot for your workflow? Check GitHub’s Copilot Docs for more details!