What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant jointly developed by GitHub and OpenAI. Integrated into popular IDEs such as VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, and Neovim, it predicts and generates code in real time, helping developers write functions, tests, documentation, and even complete projects faster.
Key Features
- Context-Aware Suggestions – Analyzes the surrounding code to propose whole lines or blocks.
- Multi-Language Support – Works with dozens of programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, and Rust.
- Chat & Agent Mode – Allows natural-language queries and autonomous agent workflows that can plan, run, and test code changes.
- Model Choice – Lets users switch between leading LLMs such as GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude for tailored performance.
Why It Matters
Since its first announcement on June 29 2021, GitHub Copilot has transformed developer productivity by reducing boilerplate coding and surfacing best-practice patterns, making it a cornerstone tool in modern AI-assisted software development.
