docs/content/copilot/github-copilot-chat/using-github-copilot-chat.md

title, intro, product, topics, defaultTool, versions, shortTitle

title	intro	product	topics	defaultTool	versions	shortTitle
Using GitHub Copilot Chat	You can start using {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} by installing the extension in your preferred environment.	{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-chat %}	Copilot	vscode	feature copilot	Using Copilot Chat

{% vscode %}

About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-procedural-intro %}

Prerequisites

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-subscription-prerequisite %}

• To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, you must have the latest version of {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} installed. For more information, see the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} download page.

• To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, you must be signed into {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} with the same {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} ID that has been granted access to the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} limited public beta.

{% data reusables.copilot.enabling-copilot-chat-beta %}

Installing the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension

To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, you must first install the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} extension for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.

1. In {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, open the Extensions view by clicking the Extensions icon in the activity bar on the left side of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} window.

   

2. In the "Search Extensions in Marketplace" search box, search for the GitHub Copilot Chat extension, then click Install.

3. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} window, click Reload required to update {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}.

4. To confirm that {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} has been successfully installed, in the activity bar on the left side of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} window, click the GitHub Copilot Chat icon to open the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} chat window.

   

{% note %}

Note: If you experience authentication issues after installing the extension, see "Troubleshooting authentication issues with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}."

{% endnote %}

Asking your first question

{% data reusables.copilot.copilot-chat-exclusively-code-questions %}

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} activity bar, click the GitHub Copilot Chat icon to open the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} chat window.

   

2. At the bottom of the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} window, in the Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} a question or type / for topics text box, type a coding related question, then press Enter. For example, type "How do I write a function that returns the sum of two numbers?".

3. {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} will process your question and provide an answer, with code suggestions when appropriate, in the chat window.

   If your question is outside the scope of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, it will tell you and may suggest an alternative question to ask.

4. Optionally, if {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} suggests a follow-up question above the Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} a question or type / for topics text box, click the follow-up question to ask it.

Using code suggestions from {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}

When {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} provides code suggestions, you have a few options for how to use them.

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} window, to show the options for a code suggestion, hover over the suggestion.

   

2. Choose one of the options for using the code suggestion.

   • To copy the code suggestion to your clipboard, click the Copy icon.
   • To insert the code suggestion into your code at the current location of your cursor, click the Insert at Cursor icon.
   • To view additional options, click the ... icon.
     • To create a new file and insert the suggestion into it, click Insert Into New File.
     • To run the code suggestion in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} terminal, click Run in Terminal.

Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} questions about your code

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} can provide answers and support with a wide range of coding related topics.

1. In {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, open the file you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} to help you with.
2. Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} a question about the file you have open. For example:
   • To generate a description of the file's purpose, ask a question like, What does this file do?.
   • To generate a unit test for the file, type a request like, Write a unit test for this file. Alternatively, highlight the code you want to generate a unit test for, then ask a question like, Write a unit test for this code.
   • To generate a fix for a bug in the file, type a request like, Fix this bug.

Sharing feedback about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}

To share feedback about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, you can use the share feedback button in the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} window.

1. Scroll to the top of the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} window.
2. Click the share feedback button.
3. In your browser, in the vscode-copilot-release repository, create a new issue or open the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} community discussion.
   • To open an issue to report a bug, next to Bug report for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, click Get started.
   • To open an issue to request a feature, next to Feature request for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, click Get started.
   • To report a security vulnerability, next to Report a security vulnerability, click View policy.
   • To ask a question in a discussion, next to Questions, click Open.

Further reading

• "AUTOTITLE"{% ifversion ghec %}
• "AUTOTITLE"{% endif %}
• "{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} FAQ"

{% endvscode %}

{% visualstudio %}

About {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-procedural-intro %}

Prerequisites

{% data reusables.copilot.chat-subscription-prerequisite %}

• To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you must be running {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} 2022 version 17.5.1 or higher. For more information, see the Visual Studio IDE documentation.

• To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you must be signed into {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} with the same {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} ID that has been granted access to the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} limited public beta.

{% data reusables.copilot.enabling-copilot-chat-beta %}

Installing the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} extension

To use {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, you must install the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} extension. {% data reusables.copilot.vs-extensions %}

1. In the "Manage Extensions" window, click Visual Studio Marketplace, search for the "{% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} Extension for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} Preview", then click Download. {% data reusables.copilot.vs-exit-and-relaunch %}

{% note %}

Note: If you experience authentication issues after installing the extension, see "Troubleshooting authentication issues with {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}."

{% endnote %}

Asking your first question

{% data reusables.copilot.copilot-chat-exclusively-code-questions %}

1. In the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} menu bar, to launch {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, click View, then click {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}.

2. At the bottom of the {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat_short %} window, in the Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %} text box, type a coding related question, then press Enter. For example, type "How do I write a function that returns the sum of two numbers?".

   {% note %}

   Note: If your question is outside the scope of {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, it will tell you and may suggest an alternative question to ask.

   {% endnote %}

3. If {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat_short %} offers a code suggestion that you want to use, click the Copy icon to copy the code suggestion to your clipboard.

4. Optionally, if {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} suggests a follow-up question under your last answer, click the follow-up question to ask it.

Asking {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} questions about your code

{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} can provide answers and support with a wide range of coding related topics.

1. In {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, open the file you want {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} to help you with.
2. Ask {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %} a question about the file you have open. For example:
   • To generate a description of the file's purpose, ask a question like, What does this file do?.
   • To generate a unit test for the file, type a request like, Write a unit test for this file. Alternatively, highlight the code you want to generate a unit test for, then ask a question like, Write a unit test for this code.
   • To generate a fix for a bug in the file, type a request like, Fix this bug.

Sharing feedback about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}

To share feedback about {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_chat %}, you can use the Send feedback button in {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}. For more information on providing feedback for {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %}, see the Visual Studio Feedback documentation.

1. In the top right corner of the {% data variables.product.prodname_vs %} window, click the Send feedback button.

   

2. Choose the option that best describes your feedback.

   • To report a bug, click Report a problem.
   • To request a feature, click Suggest a feature.

Further reading

• "AUTOTITLE"{% ifversion ghec %}
• "AUTOTITLE"{% endif %}
• "{% data variables.product.prodname_copilot %} FAQ"

{% endvisualstudio %}