Getting the Best Out of GitHub Copilot

As my first in-editor AI coding partner, I started with Cursor. However, four months ago, I decided to switch to GitHub Copilot. While using Cursor, I was aware of Copilot and its features, but at the time, it felt unstable and not as polished as Curso…


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by LinceMathew

As my first in-editor AI coding partner, I started with Cursor. However, four months ago, I decided to switch to GitHub Copilot. While using Cursor, I was aware of Copilot and its features, but at the time, it felt unstable and not as polished as Cursor. Recently, I noticed that GitHub Copilot has been improving significantly, becoming a strong competitor to Cursor. This encouraged me to give Copilot a try, especially since it offers a larger quota for expensive LLM calls and has proven to be stable even in its preview version.

Another reason for the switch was my existing GitHub Pro subscription, which meant I could save $22 per month by not needing Cursor’s subscription if Copilot proved to be a good alternative.

In this article, we’ll explore some of unique Copilot’s features i found and best practices we can use to make the best out of copilot.
FYI:My primary focus is on Github copilot extension on VScode insider, even you can access copilot from web version.

Personalizing GitHub Copilot Responses

GitHub Copilot allows you to customize its responses to better suit your needs.Its difficult and irritating to mention stick to functional programming, use early return etc in every chat completion. These custom instructions help Copilot understand your preferences, project requirements, or even organization-wide standards. There are three types of custom instructions you can use:

  1. Personal Custom Instructions: Copilot’s responses to your individual preferences across all conversations.
  2. Repository Custom Instructions: Define project-specific guidelines, frameworks, or coding standards for a particular repository.
  3. Organization Custom Instructions: Apply organization-wide preferences, managed by organization owners, to ensure consistency across all repositories.

Let’s start with personal custom instructions.

Adding Personal Custom Instructions

Personal custom instructions let you customize how GitHub Copilot responds to you, making it more aligned with your preferences. Setting them up is straightforward and can be done either in the Copilot Chat panel or immersive mode.

How to Add Personal Instructions

  1. Open the Copilot Chat panel or immersive mode:
  • Click the Copilot Chat icon in the top-right corner of any GitHub page to open the panel.
  • If you prefer a full-page view, click the dropdown next to the Copilot Chat icon and select "Immersive." You can also go directly to https://github.com/copilot.
  1. Access Personal Instructions:
  • In the Chat panel or immersive page, click the dropdown menu at the top-right corner and select "Personal instructions."
  1. Add Your Preferences:
  • Write your preferences in the text box using natural language. You can format them however you like—either as a single block of text, line by line, or separated by blank lines.
  • If you’re unsure where to start, click the templates button to see examples of common instructions. For instance, selecting "Communication" will add placeholders like {format} that you can customize.
  1. Save Your Instructions:
    • Click "Save" to activate your instructions. They’ll stay active until you decide to change or remove them.

Example

Let’s say you want Copilot to respond in Portuguese and keep explanations short and simple. Here’s how you can set it up:

  1. Open the Copilot Chat panel.
  2. In the "Personal instructions" section, add the following: Always respond in Portuguese. Keep explanations concise and break them down step by step.
  3. Save your instructions.

Now, whenever you interact with Copilot, it will respond in Portuguese and provide clear, concise explanations tailored to your preferences.

continue reading the full article here.


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by LinceMathew


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