Getting Started with GitHub Copilot in 2025

You’ve heard about GitHub Copilot. Maybe a colleague mentioned it speeds up their coding. Perhaps you’ve seen demos on social media. But you’re still not sure what it actually does, how it differs from ChatGPT, or whether it’s worth trying.

This article clarifies what GitHub Copilot is, shows you how to install it in VS Code, and helps you understand its pricing options. You’ll learn the key differences between Copilot and ChatGPT, see practical examples of 2025’s latest features, and know exactly how to start using it today.

What GitHub Copilot Actually Is (And Isn’t)

GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant that lives inside your code editor. Unlike ChatGPT, which you access through a web browser, Copilot works directly where you write code—suggesting completions as you type, answering questions about your codebase, and building entire features from natural language descriptions.

Think of it as a pair programmer who:

• Suggests the next line of code before you finish typing
• Understands your entire project context
• Writes boilerplate code so you can focus on logic
• Explains unfamiliar code patterns
• Helps debug errors in real-time

What Copilot isn’t: It’s not a replacement for understanding code. It won’t architect your entire application or make design decisions. It’s a tool that amplifies your existing skills, not a substitute for them.

GitHub Copilot vs ChatGPT: Key Differences

While both use large language models, they serve different purposes:

Context Awareness: Copilot sees your entire codebase, understanding file relationships, imports, and project structure. ChatGPT only knows what you paste into it.

Integration: Copilot works inside VS Code, suggesting code as you type. ChatGPT requires copying and pasting between browser and editor.

Purpose: Copilot is built specifically for coding tasks. ChatGPT is general-purpose, handling everything from recipes to philosophy.

Real-time Assistance: Copilot offers “ghost text” suggestions that appear automatically. ChatGPT requires explicit prompts for each interaction.

Installing GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Getting started takes less than five minutes:

1. Open VS Code and navigate to the Extensions Marketplace (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac)
2. Search for “GitHub Copilot” and click the extension by GitHub
3. Click Install - this adds both GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot Chat
4. Sign in with your GitHub account when prompted
5. Look for the Copilot icon in your status bar - when it shows “Ready,” you’re set

That’s it. No complex configuration needed.

Understanding GitHub Copilot Pricing Tiers

GitHub Copilot offers several pricing options in 2025:

Free Tier: Perfect for beginners

• 2,000 code completions per month
• 50 chat requests per month
• No credit card required

Copilot Individual ($10/month): For individual developers

• Unlimited completions and chat
• Access to GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet models
• Advanced features like multi-file editing

Copilot Business ($19/user/month): For teams

• Everything in Individual
• Organization-wide policies
• Enhanced security features
• IP indemnity protection

Special Access: Free for verified students, teachers, and maintainers of popular open source projects

Core Features You’ll Use Daily

Code Completions

Start typing and watch gray “ghost text” appear with suggestions. Press Tab to accept, or keep typing to ignore. For example:

function calculateTax(

Copilot might suggest:

function calculateTax(price, taxRate) {
    return price * (1 + taxRate);
}

Inline Chat (Ctrl+I)

Select any code and press Ctrl+I (or Cmd+I on Mac) to open inline chat. Ask questions like:

• “Add error handling to this function”
• “Convert this to use async/await”
• “Explain what this regex does”

Multi-file Editing

New in late 2024, multi-file editing allows Copilot to modify multiple files simultaneously. Open the Chat view (Ctrl+Alt+I or Cmd+Option+I on Mac) and describe what you want:

“Create a responsive navigation menu with dropdown support and mobile hamburger menu”

Copilot writes the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript across multiple files automatically.

Smart Actions

Right-click anywhere in your code to access context-aware actions:

• Generate unit tests for selected functions
• Create documentation comments
• Suggest performance improvements
• Fix detected issues

Getting Started Today

Here’s your action plan:

1. Install the free version - No commitment required
2. Try code completions first - Create a new file and start typing
3. Experiment with inline chat - Select code and press Ctrl+I
4. Test multi-file editing - Let it build a small feature for you

Start with simple tasks. Write a function signature and let Copilot complete it. Select confusing code and ask for explanations. Build confidence with small wins before tackling complex features.

Common Concerns Addressed

“Will it write bad code?” Copilot suggestions aren’t perfect. Review them like you would a junior developer’s code. The free tier’s limited completions actually help beginners learn to evaluate suggestions carefully.

“Is my code private?” Your code isn’t stored or used to train models unless you explicitly opt in. Business and Enterprise tiers offer additional privacy controls and IP indemnity.

“Do I need to know AI/ML?” No. If you can describe what you want in plain English, you can use Copilot effectively.

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot transforms how you write code, but it remains just a tool. The best way to understand its value is to try it yourself. With the free tier, you can start immediately—no credit card, no commitment.

Install it now. Write some code. Experience having an AI assistant that understands your project context and suggests relevant code in real-time. That hands-on experience will show you, better than any article, whether Copilot fits your workflow.

The future of coding isn’t about AI replacing developers. It’s about developers with AI assistants outpacing those without. Start your GitHub Copilot journey today and see where it takes your productivity.

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