---
title: Getting started with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio
shortTitle: Visual Studio
product: '{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot %}'
intro: 'Learn how to install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, and start seeing suggestions as you write comments and code.'
versions:
feature: 'copilot'
topics:
- Copilot
---
## About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} and Visual Studio
{% 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
To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you must have {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2022 17.1 or later installed. For more information, see the [Visual Studio IDE](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/) documentation.
{% note %}
**Note**: {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is not currently available for use with Visual Studio for Mac.
{% endnote %}
## 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.
1. In the Visual Studio toolbar, under **Extensions**, click **Manage Extensions**.
1. In the "Manage Extensions" dialogue, click **Visual Studio Marketplace**, search for the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension and click **Download**.
2. Close the "Manage Extensions" dialog, then exit and relaunch {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.
3. 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 and click **{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}** to see status information.
## Authorizing {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}
1. Create a new C# Console App project. For more information, see steps 1 and 2 in "[Tutorial: Create a simple C# console app in Visual Studio](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/get-started/csharp/tutorial-console?view=vs-2022)" in the Microsoft Visual Studio documentation.
2. Name your project "Copilot Demo" and click **Next**.
3. Click **Create** to create the project.
4. To copy your device activation code, in the dialog box about authorizing {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, click **OK**.
5. A device code will be copied automatically to the clipboard. Paste it on the {% data variables.product.company_short %} device authorization page that will open. If you miss the device code, you will find it in the status bar, at the bottom left of {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, as well as on the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} output window pane.
6. After successful authorization, proceed to read and approve the [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} Telemetry Terms](/free-pro-team@latest/site-policy/github-terms/github-copilot-telemetry-terms).
After installation, a {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} icon will appear within the margin for the editor, in the lower-left corner of your {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} window.
## Seeing your first suggestion
{% 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 header. {% 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}
function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {
```
{% 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 header. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will show you a suggestion.
```csharp{:copy}
function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {
```
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 %}
## Enabling and disabling {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}
The {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} status icon in the bottom panel of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} window indicates whether {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is enabled or disabled. When enabled, the background color of the icon will match the color of the status bar. When disabled, it will have a diagonal line through it.
1. To enable or disable {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, click the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} icon in the bottom panel of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} window.
2. If you are disabling {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, you will be asked whether you want to disable suggestions globally, or for the language of the file you are currently editing.
- To disable suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} globally, click **Enable Globally**.
- To disable suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for the specified language, click **Enable for _LANGUAGE_**.
## Further reading
- [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}](https://copilot.github.com/)