How to Enable GitHub Copilot for Free to Students

Introduction

GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3 technology, is a revolutionary code completion tool that assists developers by generating contextual code suggestions. With its ability to understand code patterns and provide accurate recommendations, GitHub Copilot has become an invaluable resource for developers worldwide. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of enabling GitHub Copilot for free as a student, so you can harness the power of AI to enhance your coding experience.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the steps of enabling GitHub Copilot for free, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

1. A valid GitHub account.
2. Student status with an educational institution.
3. Access to an email address provided by your educational institution.

Step 1: Sign up for GitHub Student Developer Pack

1. Open your web browser and visit the GitHub Education website.
2. Click on the “Get benefits” button to sign up or log in to your GitHub account.
3. Once logged in, navigate to the “Student Developer Pack” section.
4. Click on the “Get your pack” button and follow the instructions to verify your student status using your educational institution’s email address.

Step 2: Apply for GitHub Copilot Access

1. After successfully signing up for the GitHub Student Developer Pack, visit the GitHub Copilot website.
2. Click on the “Request access” button.
3. You will be redirected to a form. Fill in the required details, including your name, email address, GitHub username, and a brief description of how you plan to use GitHub Copilot.
4. In the “Verification” section, select the option to verify your eligibility using your GitHub Student Developer Pack.

Example:

Full Name: John Doe
Email Address: john.doe@example.com
GitHub Username: johndoe123
Brief Description: I plan to use GitHub Copilot to streamline my coding workflow and improve code efficiency.
Verification: I am a verified GitHub Student Developer Pack user.

Step 3: Await Approval

1. After submitting the request form, you will receive an email confirming the receipt of your request.
2. GitHub will review your application and notify you via email once your access to GitHub Copilot is approved.

Step 4: Install GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Once you receive the approval email, open your Visual Studio Code (VS Code) editor.
2. In VS Code, go to the Extensions view by clicking on the square icon on the left sidebar or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
3. Search for “GitHub Copilot” in the extensions search bar.
4. Click on the “Install” button next to the GitHub Copilot extension.
5. After installation, restart VS Code to activate the extension.

Step 5: Start Using GitHub Copilot

1. Open a coding project or create a new one in VS Code.
2. As you start typing code, GitHub Copilot will generate helpful code suggestions in real-time.
3. Accept or modify the suggestions as per your requirements by using the Tab key or by manually editing the code.

Example:

# Start typing a code snippet
for i in range(10):
    print(i)

Additional Tips and Best Practices

While enabling GitHub Copilot for free as a student is a significant step, here are some additional tips and best practices to enhance your experience:

1. Explore GitHub Copilot’s Capabilities

Take the time to explore GitHub Copilot’s capabilities. Experiment with different programming languages, frameworks, and coding scenarios to fully grasp the potential of this powerful tool.

2. Provide Feedback and Contribute to Improvements

GitHub Copilot is continually evolving, and your feedback is crucial. If you encounter any incorrect or suboptimal suggestions, make sure to provide feedback directly within the VS Code editor. Your input helps the GitHub Copilot team refine the system and make it even better.

3. Maintain a Balance Between Automation and Learning

While GitHub Copilot provides excellent assistance, it’s essential to maintain a balance between relying on AI-generated suggestions and actively engaging in the coding process. Use Copilot as a learning tool and continue to deepen your understanding of the underlying concepts.

4. Customize GitHub Copilot to Suit Your Preferences

GitHub Copilot allows you to customize its behavior according to your coding style and preferences. Explore the extension settings in VS Code to adjust the level of assistance provided by Copilot, enable or disable specific features, and personalize your coding experience.

5. Collaborate and Share Experiences

Connect with fellow students and developers who are also using GitHub Copilot. Join online communities, forums, or social media groups to exchange tips, share experiences, and learn from others. Collaborating with peers can enhance your understanding of how Copilot can be effectively used in different coding scenarios.

Conclusion

Enabling GitHub Copilot for free as a student grants you access to a powerful coding companion powered by AI. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this blog post and implementing the additional tips and best practices, you can harness the full potential of GitHub Copilot. Embrace the power of AI, collaborate with your peers, and enjoy an enhanced coding experience with GitHub Copilot as you embark on your programming journey.