---
title: Getting started with GitHub Copilot
shortTitle: Getting started
intro: 'You can start using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} by installing the extension in your preferred environment.'
product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot %}'
redirect_from:
- /github/copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-visual-studio-code
- /github/copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-a-jetbrains-ide
- /github/copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-neovim
- /github/copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-visual-studio
- /copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-visual-studio-code
- /copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-a-jetbrains-ide
- /copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-neovim
- /copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-visual-studio
versions:
feature: copilot
defaultTool: vscode
topics:
- Copilot
---
{% data reusables.copilot.copilot-cta-button %}
{% jetbrains %}
## About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} and JetBrains IDEs
{% data reusables.copilot.procedural-intro %}
If you use a JetBrains IDE, you can view and incorporate suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} directly within the editor. This guide demonstrates how to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} within a JetBrains IDE for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
## Prerequisites
{% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
- To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in JetBrains, you must have a compatible JetBrains IDE installed. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is compatible with the following IDEs:
- IntelliJ IDEA (Ultimate, Community, Educational)
- Android Studio
- AppCode
- CLion
- Code With Me Guest
- DataGrip
- DataSpell
- GoLand
- JetBrains Client
- MPS
- PhpStorm
- PyCharm (Professional, Community, Educational)
- Rider
- RubyMine
- WebStorm
For more information, see the [JetBrains IDEs](https://www.jetbrains.com/products/) tool finder.
## Installing the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension in your JetBrains IDE
To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in a JetBrains IDE, you must install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension. The following procedure will guide you through installation of the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} plugin in IntelliJ IDEA. Steps to install the plugin in another supported IDE may differ.
1. In your JetBrains IDE, under the **File** menu for Windows or under the name of your IDE for Mac (for example, **PyCharm** or **IntelliJ**), click **Settings** for Windows or **Preferences** for Mac.
1. In the left-side menu of the **Settings/Preferences** dialog box, click **Plugins**.
1. At the top of the **Settings/Preferences** dialog box, click **Marketplace**. In the search bar, search for **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}**, then click **Install**.
1. After {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is installed, click **Restart IDE**.
1. After your JetBrains IDE has restarted, click the **Tools** menu. Click **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}**, then click **Login to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}**.
1. In the "Sign in to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}" dialog box, to copy the device code and open the device activation window, click **Copy and Open**.
1. A device activation window will open in your browser. Paste the device code, then click **Continue**.
1. {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} will request the necessary permissions for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}. To approve these permissions, click **Authorize {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} Plugin**.
1. After the permissions have been approved, your JetBrains IDE will show a confirmation. To begin using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, click **OK**.
## Seeing your first suggestion
{% data reusables.copilot.code-examples-limitations %}
{% data reusables.copilot.supported-languages %} The following samples are in Java, but other languages will work similarly.
{% data reusables.copilot.create-java-file %}
1. In the Java file, create a class by typing `class Test`.
{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will automatically suggest a class body in grayed text. The exact suggestion may vary.
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-suggestion %}
1. To prompt {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to suggest a function body, type the following line below the bracket of the `main` function. The exact suggestion may vary.
{% indented_data_reference reusables.copilot.java-int-snippet spaces=3 %}
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-suggestion %}
{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will attempt to match the context and style of your code. You can always edit the suggested code.
## Seeing alternative suggestions
{% data reusables.copilot.alternative-suggestions %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-java-file %}
1. To prompt {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to show you a suggestion, type the following line in the Java file.
{% indented_data_reference reusables.copilot.java-int-snippet spaces=3 %}
{% data reusables.copilot.see-alternative-suggestions %}
| OS | See next suggestion | See previous suggestion |
| :- | :- | :- |
| macOS | Option+] | Option+[ |
| Windows | Alt+] | Alt+[ |
| Linux | Alt+] | Alt+[ |
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-or-reject-suggestion %}
## Seeing multiple suggestions in a new tab
{% data reusables.copilot.suggestions-new-tab %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-java-file %}
1. To prompt {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to show you a suggestion, type the following line in the Java file.
{% indented_data_reference reusables.copilot.java-int-snippet spaces=3 %}
1. Open a new tab with multiple additional suggestions.
- On macOS, press Command+Shift+A, then click **Open GitHub Copilot**, or press Command+Shift+\ to open the new tab immediately.
- On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl+Enter, then click **Open GitHub Copilot**.
1. To accept a suggestion, above the suggestion, click **Accept Solution**. To reject all suggestions, close the tab.
## Generating code suggestions from comments
{% data reusables.copilot.generating-suggestions-from-comments %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-java-file %}
1. To prompt {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to suggest an implementation of a function in the Java file, type the following lines.
```java copy
// find all images without alternate text
// and give them a red border
void process () {
```
## Enabling and disabling {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}
You can enable or disable {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for all languages, or for individual languages. The {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} status icon in the bottom panel of your JetBrains IDE window indicates whether {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is enabled or disabled. When enabled, the icon is highlighted. When disabled, the icon is grayed out.
1. To enable or disable {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, click the status icon in the bottom panel of the JetBrains window.
1. If you are disabling {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, you will be asked whether you want to disable it globally, or for the language of the file you are currently editing.
- To disable suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} globally, click **Disable Completions**.
- To disable suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for the specified language, click **Disable Completions for _LANGUAGE_**.
## Further reading
- [The {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} website](https://copilot.github.com/)
- [About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_for_individuals %}](/copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot-for-individuals#about-the-license-for-the-github-copilot-plugin-in-jetbrains-ides)
{% endjetbrains %}
{% visualstudio %}
## About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}
{% data reusables.copilot.procedural-intro %}
If you use {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you can view and incorporate suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} directly within the editor. This guide demonstrates how to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} within {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} for Windows.
## Prerequisites
{% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
- To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you must have {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2022 17.6 or later installed. For more information, see the [Visual Studio IDE](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/) documentation.
{% data reusables.copilot.vs-for-mac-note %}
## Installing the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} extension
To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, you must first install the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} extension.
{% data reusables.copilot.vs-extensions %}
1. In the "Manage Extensions" window, click **Visual Studio Marketplace**, search for the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension, then click **Download**.
{% data reusables.copilot.vs-exit-and-relaunch %}
1. Optionally, to check that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is installed and enabled, go back to **Manage Extensions**, click **Installed** to view your currently installed extensions, then click **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}** to see status information.
1. Open or create a new project in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.
1. In the "Microsoft {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}" dialog box, to copy your device activation code, click **OK**.
1. A device activation window will open in your browser. Paste the device code, then click **Continue**.
1. {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} will request the necessary permissions for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}. To approve these permissions, click **Authorize {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} Plugin**.
1. After you approve the permissions, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} will show a confirmation.
## Seeing your first suggestion
{% data reusables.copilot.code-examples-limitations %}
{% data reusables.copilot.supported-languages %} The following samples are in C#, but other languages will work similarly.
{% data reusables.copilot.create-c-file %}
1. In the C# file, type the following function signature. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will automatically suggest an entire function body in grayed text, as shown below. The exact suggestion may vary.
```csharp copy
int CalculateDaysBetweenDates(
```
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-suggestion %}
## Seeing alternative suggestions
{% data reusables.copilot.alternative-suggestions %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-c-file %}
1. In the C# file, type the following function signature. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will show you a suggestion.
```csharp copy
int CalculateDaysBetweenDates(
```
1. If alternative suggestions are available, you can see these alternatives by pressing Alt+. (or Alt+,).
1. Optionally, you can hover over the suggestion to see the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} command palette for choosing suggestions.
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-or-reject-suggestion %}
## Generating code suggestions from comments
{% data reusables.copilot.generating-suggestions-from-comments %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-c-file %}
1. In the C# file, type the following comment. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will suggest an implementation of the function.
```csharp copy
using System.Xml.Linq;
var doc = XDocument.Load("index.xhml");
// find all images
```
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-suggestion %}
{% data reusables.copilot.enabling-or-disabling-vs %}
## Further reading
- [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}](https://copilot.github.com/)
{% endvisualstudio %}
{% vscode %}
## About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}
{% data reusables.copilot.procedural-intro %}
If you use {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, you can view and incorporate suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} directly within the editor. This guide demonstrates how to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} within {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
## Prerequisites
{% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
- To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, you must have {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} installed. For more information, see the [{% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} download page](https://code.visualstudio.com/Download).
## Installing the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension
To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, you must first install the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension.
1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_marketplace %}, go to the [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot) page and click **Install**.
1. A popup will appear, asking to open {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}. Click **Open {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}**.
1. In the "Extension: {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}" tab in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, click **Install**.
1. If you have not previously authorized {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} in your {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} account, you will be prompted to sign in to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.
- If you have previously authorized {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} for your account on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will be automatically authorized.
- If you don't get the prompt to authorize, click the bell icon in the bottom panel of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} window.
1. In your browser, {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} will request the necessary permissions for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}. To approve these permissions, click **Authorize {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}**.
1. To confirm the authentication, in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, in the "{% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}" dialog box, click **Open**.
## Seeing your first suggestion
{% data reusables.copilot.code-examples-limitations %}
{% data reusables.copilot.supported-languages %} The following samples are in JavaScript, but other languages will work similarly.
{% data reusables.copilot.create-js-file %}
1. In the JavaScript file, type the following function header. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will automatically suggest an entire function body in grayed text, as shown below. The exact suggestion may vary.
```javascript copy
function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {
```
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-suggestion %}
## Seeing alternative suggestions
{% data reusables.copilot.alternative-suggestions %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-js-file %}
1. In the JavaScript file, type the following function header. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will show you a suggestion.
```javascript copy
function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {
```
{% data reusables.copilot.see-alternative-suggestions %}
| OS | See next suggestion | See previous suggestion |
| :- | :- | :- |
|macOS|Option (⌥) or Alt+]|Option (⌥) or Alt+[|
|Windows|Alt+]|Alt+[|
|Linux|Alt+]|Alt+[|
1. Alternatively, you can hover over the suggestion to see the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} command palette for choosing suggestions.
{% data reusables.copilot.accept-or-reject-suggestion %}
## Seeing multiple suggestions in a new tab
{% data reusables.copilot.suggestions-new-tab %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-js-file %}
1. In the JavaScript file, type the following function header. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will show you a suggestion.
```javascript copy
function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {
```
1. To open a new tab with multiple additional options, press Ctrl+Enter.
1. To accept a suggestion, above the suggestion, click **Accept Solution**. To reject all suggestions, close the tab.
## Generating code suggestions from comments
{% data reusables.copilot.generating-suggestions-from-comments %}
{% data reusables.copilot.create-js-file %}
1. In the JavaScript file, type the following comment. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will suggest an implementation of the function.
```javascript copy
// find all images without alternate text
// and give them a red border
function process() {
```
## Using a framework
You can also use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to generate suggestions for APIs and frameworks. The following example uses {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to create a simple Express server that returns the current time.
{% data reusables.copilot.create-js-file %}
1. In the JavaScript file, type the following comment and then press Enter. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will suggest an implementation of the Express app.
```javascript copy
// Express server on port 3000
1. To accept each line, press Tab, then Enter.
1. Type the following comment and then press Enter. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will suggest an implementation for the default handler.
```javascript copy
// Return the current time
```
1. To accept each line, press Tab.
{% data reusables.copilot.enabling-or-disabling-in-vsc %}
## Further reading
- [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}](https://copilot.github.com/)
{% endvscode %}
{% vimneovim %}
## About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} and Vim/Neovim
{% data reusables.copilot.procedural-intro %}
If you use Vim/Neovim, you can view and incorporate suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} directly within the editor.
## Prerequisites
{% data reusables.copilot.subscription-prerequisite %}
- To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in Vim/Neovim you must have Vim version 9.0.0185 / Neovim version 0.6 or above and Node.js version 17 or below installed. For more information, see the [Vim](https://vimhelp.org/) / [Neovim documentation](https://neovim.io/doc/) and the [Node.js website](https://nodejs.org/en/).
## Installing the Vim/Neovim extension on macOS
{% data reusables.copilot.install-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Vim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command in Terminal:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim \
~/.vim/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Neovim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command in Terminal:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim \
~/.config/nvim/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
{% data reusables.copilot.config-enable-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
## Installing the Vim/Neovim extension on Windows
{% data reusables.copilot.install-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Vim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command in Git Bash:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim.git \
$HOME/vimfiles/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Neovim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command in Git Bash:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim.git \
$HOME/AppData/Local/nvim/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
{% data reusables.copilot.config-enable-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
## Installing the Vim/Neovim extension on Linux
{% data reusables.copilot.install-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Vim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim \
~/.vim/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
- To install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} with Neovim's built-in plugin manager, enter the following command:
git clone https://github.com/github/copilot.vim \
~/.config/nvim/pack/github/start/copilot.vim
{% data reusables.copilot.config-enable-copilot-in-vimneovim %}
## Learning to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in Vim/Neovim
For guidance on using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in Vim/Neovim, you can view the plugin documentation. To see the documentation, open Vim/Neovim and run the following command:
```shell
:help copilot
```
## Further reading
- [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}](https://copilot.github.com/)
{% endvimneovim %}