---
title: 'Setting up GitHub Copilot for yourself'
shortTitle: Set up for self
intro: "Follow these steps to start using Copilot."
permissions: Individuals
product: 'Individual user accounts with access to a {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_enterprise_short %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_business_short %}, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_pro_short %}, or {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_free_short %} subscription'
versions:
  feature: copilot
topics:
  - Copilot
---

## 1. Get access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}

There are a few ways that you can get access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}:

* _Set up {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_free %}_. You can set up {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_free_short %} to get a limited experience of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} without a subscription. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/about-github-copilot-free).
* _Sign up for a subscription to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_pro %}_. You can <a href="https://github.com/github-copilot/signup?ref_cta=Copilot+trial&ref_loc=about+github+copilot&ref_page=docs" target="_blank"><span>try {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} for free</span></a> with a one-time 30-day trial. After the free trial, you will need a paid subscription for continued use.
* _If you are a member of an organization or enterprise_ that has a subscription to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, you can request access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} by going to [https://github.com/settings/copilot](https://github.com/settings/copilot) and requesting access under "Get Copilot from an organization."
* _If you are a verified student, teacher, or maintainer of a popular open source project_, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is free to use. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/getting-free-access-to-copilot-as-a-student-teacher-or-maintainer).

## 2. Install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extension for your IDE

If you want to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in your IDE, install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extension for your IDE. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configure-personal-settings/installing-the-github-copilot-extension-in-your-environment).

## 3. Install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extension for the command line

>[!NOTE] {% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-free-availability %}

If you want to use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in the command line, install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} extension for the {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configure-personal-settings/installing-github-copilot-in-the-cli).

## 4. Use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %}

>[!NOTE] {% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-free-availability %}

If you want to chat with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %}, connect {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} with Terminal Chat in {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %} Canary. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/quickstart?tool=windowsterminal).

## 5. Set up networking (if necessary)

If you connect through an HTTP proxy server or firewall, ensure that key URLs are added to the allowlist for the proxy server or firewall. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-github-copilot-in-your-organization/configuring-your-proxy-server-or-firewall-for-copilot).

You may also need to install a custom SSL certificate on your machine. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configure-personal-settings/configuring-network-settings-for-github-copilot#installing-custom-certificates).

## 6. Configure settings (optional)

All users can configure {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} settings in their IDE or in the CLI. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configure-personal-settings/configuring-github-copilot-in-your-environment) and [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/configure-personal-settings/configuring-github-copilot-in-the-cli).

If you have your own subscription to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} (instead of using your organization or enterprise's subscription), you can:

* **Install {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_extensions_short %}** to integrate other tools with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat_short %}. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/installing-github-copilot-extensions-for-your-personal-account).
* **Manage policies**. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-as-an-individual-subscriber/managing-copilot-policies-as-an-individual-subscriber).

## 7. Start using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}

Start using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to help you write code faster and more efficiently. For all the ways you can use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot). {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} code suggestions, {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat_dotcom_short %}, and {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat_short %} in your IDE are a great place to start.

To learn how to best use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/best-practices-for-using-github-copilot) and [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/using-github-copilot/prompt-engineering-for-github-copilot).