docs/content/copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot/getting-started-with-github-copilot-in-visual-studio.md

title, shortTitle, product, intro, versions, topics

title	shortTitle	product	intro	versions	topics
Getting started with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio	Visual Studio	{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot %}	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.	feature copilot	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 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.
2. In the "Manage Extensions" dialogue, click Visual Studio Marketplace, search for the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension and click Download.
3. Close the "Manage Extensions" dialog, then exit and relaunch {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.
4. 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" 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.

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.

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.

  function calculateDaysBetweenDates(begin, end) {

1. To see alternative suggestions, press Alt+] (or Alt+[).
2. 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.

   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 %}