G GitHub Copilot

How to install GitHub Copilot in VS Code on GitHub Copilot

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Install GitHub Copilot in VS Code by searching for the GitHub Copilot extension in the Extensions marketplace and clicking install. After installation, sign in with your GitHub account to activate the AI-powered code completion.

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Prerequisites

  • Active GitHub account
  • GitHub Copilot subscription
  • Visual Studio Code installed
  • Internet connection

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Open VS Code Extensions

Launch Visual Studio Code and click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left side, or press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) to open the Extensions view.
You can also access extensions through the View menu at the top
2

Search for GitHub Copilot

In the Extensions search box, type GitHub Copilot. Look for the official extension published by GitHub with the blue verified checkmark.
Make sure to select the official GitHub Copilot extension, not third-party alternatives
3

Install the Extension

Click the Install button on the GitHub Copilot extension card. The installation will begin automatically and may take a few seconds to complete.
4

Install GitHub Copilot Chat (Optional)

For enhanced chat functionality, also search for and install GitHub Copilot Chat extension. This provides additional AI-powered features like inline chat and code explanations.
The Chat extension works best when used together with the main Copilot extension
5

Sign in to GitHub

After installation, VS Code will prompt you to sign in. Click Sign in to GitHub in the notification that appears, or click the GitHub Copilot icon in the status bar and select Sign In.
If you don't see the prompt, restart VS Code to trigger the sign-in process
6

Authorize VS Code

Your browser will open to GitHub's authorization page. Click Authorize Visual-Studio-Code to allow the extension to access your GitHub account and Copilot subscription.
7

Verify Installation

Return to VS Code and look for the GitHub Copilot icon in the status bar at the bottom right. It should show as active with your GitHub username. Create a new file and start typing code to test the suggestions.
Try typing a comment like '// function to calculate sum' to see Copilot suggestions
8

Configure Settings

Open VS Code settings with Ctrl+, and search for copilot to customize your experience. You can adjust suggestion behavior, enable/disable inline suggestions, and configure chat settings.
Enable 'GitHub Copilot: Enable Auto Completions' for the best experience

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Copilot not showing suggestions

Check that you're signed in to GitHub and have an active subscription. Verify the Copilot icon in the status bar shows as enabled. Try pressing Ctrl+Space to manually trigger suggestions.

Extension installation fails

Ensure VS Code is updated to the latest version. Check your internet connection and try restarting VS Code. If issues persist, try installing from the Extensions menu using Install from VSIX.

GitHub sign-in not working

Clear your browser cache and cookies for GitHub. Try signing in using an incognito/private browser window. Ensure your GitHub account has proper permissions and an active Copilot subscription.

Copilot suggestions are irrelevant

Provide more context in comments and variable names. Check your file type is supported by Copilot. Adjust settings in Preferences > Settings > GitHub Copilot to fine-tune suggestion behavior.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official GitHub Copilot website before purchasing.
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