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Last updated: May 10, 2025
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Overview
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that autocompletes code, explains functions, and helps you build software faster.
Key Features
✦ Code Autocompletion: Suggests entire lines or blocks of code based on your context.
✦ Context-Aware Suggestions: Understands your codebase to offer relevant solutions.
✦ Natural Language to Code: Converts plain English comments into functional code.
✦ Multi-language Support: Works with Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Ruby, and more.
✦ In-editor Guidance: Runs inside VS Code, JetBrains, and GitHub.com.
✦ Code Explanation (Experimental): Explains code snippets in plain English.
Advantages
🟩 Accelerates Development: Saves time by writing boilerplate and repetitive code.
🟩 Reduces Mental Load: Helps developers focus on logic instead of syntax.
🟩 Seamless Integration: Works inside popular IDEs and GitHub.
🟩 Supports Learning: Useful for understanding unfamiliar code quickly.
Limitations
🟥 May Suggest Insecure Code: AI might not always follow best practices.
🟥 Not Always Accurate: Requires human review and judgment.
🟥 Limited Offline Use: Needs internet for full functionality.
🟥 Subscription Required: Full access is behind a paywall after trial.
Use Cases
➤ Rapid Prototyping: Quickly spin up functional code during early-stage development.
➤ Learning New Languages: Learn syntax by watching how the AI completes your code.
➤ Bug Fix Suggestions: Use as a second opinion when resolving coding issues.
➤ Documentation Drafting: Auto-generate code comments or explanations.
Pricing Details
⭘ Individual ($10/mo): Access to Copilot in IDEs and GitHub for one user.
⭘ Business ($19/user/mo): Includes policy controls, audit logs, and seat management for teams.
⭘ Enterprise (Custom): Enhanced security, compliance, and volume licensing.
Summary
GitHub Copilot is a powerful AI pair programmer that helps developers write better code faster. Whether you're a beginner learning a new language or a professional looking to boost productivity, Copilot integrates directly into your workflow and assists with autocompletion, syntax, and understanding your code context.
Released Dates
2025
May 19 – GitHub announced public previews for GitHub Copilot coding agent, creating issues with Copilot on github.com, Copilot app modernization for .NET and Java, and Agent mode/MCP support for Copilot in JetBrains, Eclipse, and Xcode.
May 16 – GitHub Copilot premium request report became available.
May 13 – Agent mode, MCP support, and next edit suggestions were released for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio 17.14.
May 8 / May 12 / May 19 – Billing for premium requests for GitHub Copilot Free, Pro, Pro+, Business, and Enterprise tiers commenced on these respective dates.
2024
December 30 – GitHub expanded access to the GitHub Copilot Workspace technical preview.
February 9 – Copilot in GitHub Support became generally available.
August 2023 – Copilot in GitHub Support was initially released to a select group of GitHub Enterprise customers.
2022
June 21 – GitHub Copilot became generally available to all developers.
2021
June – GitHub Copilot was first launched as a technical preview.
