How to Use GitHub Copilot Like a Pro – Tips & Tricks for 2025

Want to unlock the full potential of GitHub Copilot?

In 2025, GitHub Copilot remains one of the most powerful AI tools for developers — but many still underuse it.

This guide gives you pro-level tips and tricks to write better code faster, avoid common mistakes, and boost your productivity using GitHub Copilot like a seasoned developer.

1. Understand What GitHub Copilot Can (and Can’t) Do

Copilot excels at writing boilerplate code, suggesting functions, and helping with syntax — but it’s not perfect. Know its strengths and limitations before diving in.

What It Does Well:

Auto-complete repetitive code
Suggest functions based on comments
Help with documentation

What It Doesn’t Do:

Understand complex logic without context
Guarantee secure or bug-free code
Replace actual programming knowledge

2. Start with Good Comments

The better your comment, the better the suggestion.

Bad Prompt:

# do something cool

Better Prompt:

# Create a Python function that reads a CSV file and returns the top 10 rows

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed Up Workflow

Master these shortcuts to use GitHub Copilot efficiently:

Ctrl + Enter – Show suggestions panel
Tab – Accept suggestion
Esc – Dismiss suggestion
Ctrl + Shift + P – Open command palette and type “GitHub Copilot: Open Chat”

4. Leverage Copilot Chat (New in 2025)

New in 2025: GitHub Copilot Chat lets you ask questions directly inside your editor.

Use Cases:

“Explain this function to me”
“Write a test for this method”
“Fix this error message”

5. Train Copilot with Your Codebase

Copilot learns from your existing code — so the more consistent your style, the better the suggestions.

Tip:

Maintain clean, readable code
Use descriptive variable names
Comment complex logic

6. Write Better Prompts

Think of GitHub Copilot like a junior developer — the clearer your instructions, the better the output.

Best Practices:

Be specific about input/output types
Include sample data if possible
Ask for explanations alongside code

7. Filter Suggestions by Language

Copilot works across languages, but you can improve accuracy by specifying which language you’re working in.

Example:

# Language: Python  
# Task: Create a function to calculate the Fibonacci sequence up to n numbers

8. Use Copilot for Debugging

Got an error? Ask Copilot to help fix it.

Example:

# Fix this error: IndexError: list index out of range  
def find_max(nums):  
    max_num = nums[0]  
    for num in nums:  
        if num > max_num:  
            max_num = num  
    return max_num

9. Generate Unit Tests Fast

Let Copilot write unit tests for your functions — just describe what each test should check.

Example:

# Write unit tests for the add function  
def add(a, b):  
    return a + b

10. Don’t Trust Everything It Writes

Copilot is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Always review suggestions and test them locally.

Common Issues:

Security vulnerabilities
Outdated libraries
Potential bugs

11. Use It with Other Tools

Combine GitHub Copilot with other tools like:

Cursor IDE (for chat-based coding)
Tabnine (for local model support)
VSCode extensions (linting, formatting, debugging)

12. Stay Updated with New Features

GitHub Copilot gets updated regularly — especially in 2025 with new chat features, API integrations, and improved security checks.

You Might Also Like:

Follow official announcements and try new features as they roll out.

Want to Listen to This Guide While Coding?

Try Speechify — the AI voice reader that helps developers consume technical content faster. Works great with documentation, blogs, and code comments.

Final Thoughts

GitHub Copilot is no longer just a code assistant — it’s a productivity powerhouse when used right.

With these tips, you’ll be able to write better code, debug faster, and even learn new concepts by seeing real-time examples.

Do you have any GitHub Copilot hacks we missed? Share below 👇

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