How to use GitHub Copilot Chat on GitHub Copilot

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

GitHub Copilot Chat allows you to have conversational interactions with AI to get coding help, explanations, and suggestions. Access it through the chat panel in your IDE and type natural language questions about your code.

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Prerequisites

Active GitHub Copilot subscription
Supported IDE (VS Code, Visual Studio, or JetBrains)
GitHub account with Copilot access
Latest version of your IDE installed

Step-by-Step Instructions

Install GitHub Copilot Extension

Open your IDE and navigate to the extensions marketplace. Search for GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot Chat extensions. Install both extensions and restart your IDE when prompted. Ensure you're signed into your GitHub account that has Copilot access.

Some IDEs bundle both extensions together, so you might only need to install one package.

Open the Chat Panel

In VS Code, click the Chat icon in the Activity Bar on the left side, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Alt+I (Mac). In other IDEs, look for the Copilot Chat panel in the tool windows or use the IDE-specific shortcut.

You can also right-click in any code file and select 'Copilot Chat' from the context menu.

Start a Conversation

In the chat panel, type your question or request in natural language. You can ask things like "How do I create a REST API in Python?" or "Explain this function". Press Enter to send your message and wait for Copilot's response.

Be specific in your questions to get more targeted and useful responses.

Reference Your Code

To ask about specific code, select the code in your editor first, then ask your question in chat. You can also use @workspace to reference your entire project or #file to reference specific files. Type /help to see available slash commands.

Use slash commands like '/explain', '/fix', or '/tests' for common coding tasks.

Apply Suggested Code

When Copilot provides code suggestions, you'll see options to Copy, Insert at Cursor, or Create New File. Click the appropriate button to apply the suggestion to your project. Review the code before applying to ensure it meets your requirements.

Always test generated code thoroughly before using it in production environments.

Use Context Effectively

Keep your chat conversation focused on related topics to maintain context. Start a New Chat session when switching to unrelated topics. You can access previous conversations through the chat history panel.

Copilot remembers the context of your current chat session, so follow-up questions work well.

Customize Chat Settings

Access settings through File > Preferences > Settings and search for Copilot. Configure options like chat suggestions, inline completions, and language preferences. You can also disable Copilot for specific file types if needed.

Enable 'Copilot: Show Panel Completions' for inline suggestions while typing in the chat.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Chat panel is not appearing or responding

Check your internet connection and verify your GitHub Copilot subscription is active. Try signing out and back into GitHub in your IDE, or restart the IDE completely.

Getting generic or unhelpful responses

Provide more specific context in your questions. Select relevant code before asking questions, and use slash commands like /explain or /fix for better targeted responses.

Copilot Chat extension not working after installation

Ensure both GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot Chat extensions are installed and enabled. Check that your IDE version is supported and update to the latest version if necessary.

Authentication errors when trying to use chat

Sign out of GitHub in your IDE and sign back in. Verify your account has an active Copilot subscription by checking your GitHub billing settings. Clear your IDE's authentication cache if the problem persists.

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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