docs/content/copilot/about-github-copilot/what-is-github-copilot.md

---
title: What is GitHub Copilot?
intro: 'Learn what {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is and what you can do with it.'
versions:
  feature: copilot
topics:
  - Copilot
shortTitle: What is GitHub Copilot?
redirect_from:
  - /copilot/copilot-individual
  - /copilot/copilot-individual/about-github-copilot-individual
  - /copilot/copilot-business/about-github-copilot-business
  - /copilot/github-copilot-enterprise/about-github-copilot-enterprise
  - /copilot/github-copilot-enterprise/overview
  - /copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot-for-individuals
  - /copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot
  - /copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot-individual
  - /copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot-for-business
  - /copilot/overview-of-github-copilot/about-github-copilot-business
  - /copilot/github-copilot-enterprise/overview/about-github-copilot-enterprise
  - /copilot/configuring-github-copilot/configuring-github-copilot-settings-in-your-organization
  - /copilot/managing-copilot-business
  - /copilot/managing-copilot-for-business
  - /copilot/github-copilot-enterprise
  - /copilot/copilot-business
---

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} is an AI coding assistant that helps you write code faster and with less effort, allowing you to focus more energy on problem solving and collaboration.

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} has been proven to increase developer productivity and accelerate the pace of software development. For more information, see [Research: quantifying {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}’s impact on developer productivity and happiness](https://github.blog/2022-09-07-research-quantifying-github-copilots-impact-on-developer-productivity-and-happiness/) in the {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} blog.

## {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} features

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} includes a suite of features. You can use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to:

* Get code suggestions as you type in your IDE
* Chat with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} to ask for help with your code
* Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} for help using the command line
* Generate a description of the changes in a pull request _({% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_enterprise_short %} only)_
* Create and manage collections of documentation, called knowledge bases, to use as a context for chatting with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} _({% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_enterprise_short %} only)_

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} is available:

* In your IDE
* In {% data variables.product.prodname_mobile %}, as a chat interface
* In {% data variables.product.prodname_windows_terminal %} Canary, through the Terminal Chat chat interface
* On the command line, through the {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %}
* On the {% data variables.product.github %} website

For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/about-github-copilot/github-copilot-features).

## Getting access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}

**As an individual**, there are a few different ways you can get access to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}:

* _Set up {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_free_short %}_. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_free_short %} enables you to enjoy limited access to some of the features of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}, without needing to sign up for 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).

**As an organization owner**, you can purchase a subscription to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_for_business %} for your organization. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-github-copilot-in-your-organization/subscribing-to-copilot-for-your-organization). If your organization is owned by an enterprise that has a {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} subscription, you can ask your enterprise owner to enable {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} for your organization by going to [https://github.com/settings/copilot](https://github.com/settings/copilot) and requesting access under "Get Copilot from an organization."

**As an enterprise owner**, you can purchase a subscription to {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_for_business %} or {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_enterprise %} for your enterprise, and allow organizations to grant access to members. See [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/managing-copilot/managing-copilot-for-your-enterprise/subscribing-to-copilot-for-your-enterprise).

If you **don't need other features**, you can request an enterprise account specifically for managing {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_for_business %} licenses. You won't pay for {% data variables.product.prodname_enterprise %} seats, and you won't be able to create organizations or repositories. See [AUTOTITLE](/enterprise-cloud@latest/admin/copilot-business-only/about-enterprise-accounts-for-copilot-business).

## Next steps

* To learn more about the Copilot features, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/about-github-copilot/github-copilot-features).
* To start using Copilot, see [AUTOTITLE](/copilot/setting-up-github-copilot).

## Further reading

* [Frequently asked questions](https://github.com/features/copilot#faq) about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}
* [{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} Trust Center](https://resources.github.com/copilot-trust-center/)