Write your first prompt with the GitHub Copilot app (opens in new tab)

Starting with GitHub Copilot does not require a perfect prompt or specialized syntax. The article recommends connecting Copilot to a repository or local folder, describing a task in plain English, and refining the request interactively. Users can gradually adjust the AI model, input method, and session settings as their needs become more complex.

Start with Project Context

• Connect an agent session to:
  • An existing GitHub repository
  • A local folder on your computer
• Selecting a project gives Copilot access to the code and files needed for the task.
• Once the project is connected, you can submit a prompt.

Describe Tasks in Plain English

• Prompts only need to explain the desired outcome.
• Example: Add a most-funded sort option to the games list.
• Copilot can inspect the codebase and identify relevant files.
• If the result is incomplete or incorrect, provide more details and ask for revisions.
• Prompting is iterative, so the initial request does not need to include every requirement.

Select an Appropriate AI Model

• The app supports multiple AI models with different strengths.
• More capable reasoning models may help with complex tasks, while simpler models can be faster for straightforward changes.
• Beginners can use the default model without understanding every model difference.
• Models can be switched later if the task becomes more demanding or the initial result is unsatisfactory.

Use Voice Input

• Built-in voice input lets users describe tasks verbally.
• Speech is converted into editable text before submission.
• This can be useful for explaining lengthy or complicated ideas more naturally.

Customize Agents and Sessions

• Session settings allow users to select different agents for different types of work.
• Remote control enables access to a session through the web.
• Users can start work locally, leave their computer, and resume the same session from another device.
• These options are available when needed but are not required for a first task.

Start Small and Iterate

• Begin with a modest change in a familiar project.
• Review Copilot’s work and refine the prompt as necessary.
• Experiment with different models or session configurations only when the task requires them.

The practical recommendation is to choose a project, describe one small task in ordinary language, and begin. Experience with iterative prompting will make model selection and other Copilot settings easier to use over time.