Last updated: May 19, 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
GitHub Copilot operates on a subscription model with different plans for individuals, businesses, and enterprises. Free access is provided to verified students, teachers, and maintainers of popular open-source projects.
⭘ Copilot Individual (e.g., ~$10/month or ~$100/year): For individual developers, offering AI code completion, Copilot Chat in the IDE, and other core features. A 30-day free trial is typically available.
⭘ Copilot Business (e.g., ~$19/user/month): For organizations, this plan includes everything in Individual plus user management, policy controls, and organizational context for suggestions.
⭘ Copilot Enterprise (e.g., ~$39/user/month): Tailored for large businesses, this plan includes all Business features plus the ability for Copilot to be personalized with the organization's private codebase, enhanced security, and integration with Copilot Workspace.
(Note: Pricing and features are subject to change by GitHub/Microsoft. Users must have an active GitHub account.)
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.
