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 17.2 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, click Extensions, then click Manage Extensions.

2. In the "Manage Extensions" window, click Visual Studio Marketplace, search for the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} extension, then click Download.

3. Close the "Manage Extensions" window, 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, then click {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} to see status information.

5. Open or create a new project in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}.

6. In the "Microsoft {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}" dialog box, to copy your device activation code, click OK.

7. A device activation window will open in your browser. Paste the device code, then click Continue.

   • To paste the code in Windows or Linux, press Ctrl+v.
   • To paste the code in macOS, press command+v.

8. {% 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.

9. After you approve the permissions, {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} will show a confirmation.

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 signature. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} will automatically suggest an entire function body in grayed text, as shown below. The exact suggestion may vary.

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.

   int CalculateDaysBetweenDates(
   

2. If alternative suggestions are available, you can see these alternatives by pressing Alt+] (or Alt+[).

3. 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 %}

{% data reusables.copilot.enabling-or-disabling-vs %}

Further reading

• {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %}