GitHub Copilot Setup: Using Default Settings Means You’re Only Getting Half the Value

When developers leave Copilot turned on but say “it’s not as good as I thought,” their configuration is usually left at the defaults. Default settings are merely tuned for safe average use, not tailored to your specific workflow.

This post covers everything from initial setup to the exact settings you must change to make a real difference.

What to Decide Before Installation

Choose your plan first. The decisive difference between Individual plans and Business or Enterprise plans lies not in features, but in data privacy policies and administrative controls. Organizational plans contractually guarantee that your code will not be used for model training, and they allow administrators to enforce security policies. If you plan to work on proprietary company code, it is better not to start with an Individual plan.

Check if you qualify for free access. GitHub provides free access to verified students and teachers, as well as maintainers of popular open-source projects. There is also a free tier for individual users with a limited number of completions. Surprisingly, many developers pay for a subscription even when they qualify for free access.

VS Code Setup

Installation and Login

1. Install GitHub Copilot from the Extensions Marketplace
2. Install GitHub Copilot Chat as well — chat accounts for half of practical utility
3. Log in to your GitHub account using the status bar icon in the bottom right

Four Settings to Change

• Language-specific activation (github.copilot.enable): If pop-up suggestions in Markdown or plain text files annoy you, disable Copilot per language. Conversely, leaving it enabled for configuration files is quite helpful.
• Block suggestions matching public code: In your GitHub account settings under Copilot, there is an option to block suggestions matching public repository code. To avoid licensing issues, turning this on should be your default choice.
• Inline suggestion shortcuts: Accept a suggestion with Tab, cycle to the next suggestion with Alt+] (Option+] on Mac), and reject with Esc. Many developers overlook the shortcut for the next suggestion, but it is faster than re-prompting when the first suggestion isn’t ideal.
• Suggestion display mode: If inline ghost text disrupts your focus, you can disable automatic inline completions and switch to manually triggering them via shortcuts. This makes a noticeable difference for deep-focus work.

JetBrains Setup

Installation and Authentication

1. Search for and install GitHub Copilot under Settings → Plugins
2. Restart the IDE, then go to Tools → GitHub Copilot → Login
3. Authenticate using the device code in your browser

Key Differences from VS Code

• Frequent shortcut conflicts. Because JetBrains IDEs have dense default keymaps, accepting suggestions with Tab can conflict with existing actions. It is best to search for Copilot items in Settings → Keymap and explicitly assign custom keybindings.
• Overlaps with native code completion. When the IDE’s native completion popup and Copilot’s inline suggestion appear simultaneously, it gets confusing which one you are accepting. Prioritizing one over the other works best.
• Indexing time: When opening large projects, suggestion quality suffers until IDE indexing completes. Avoid evaluating performance right after opening a project.

Practical Guide for Copilot Chat

Copilot Chat is often underutilized compared to inline autocomplete. Here are practical prompt patterns you can use.

Code Explanation — Select unfamiliar code and prompt:

이 함수가 하는 일을 3줄로 요약하고, 부작용(side effect)이 있으면 따로 지적해줘.

Generating Tests — Select a function and prompt:

이 함수의 단위 테스트를 만들어줘. 정상 케이스 하나, 경계값 두 개, 예외 상황 하나. 프로젝트에서 쓰는 테스트 프레임워크를 따라줘.

Refactoring —

이 코드를 읽기 쉽게 고쳐줘. 단, 동작은 바꾸지 말고 함수 시그니처도 유지해. 바꾼 이유를 주석이 아니라 설명으로 알려줘.

Commit Messages — For staged changes:

이 변경에 대한 커밋 메시지를 써줘. 첫 줄 50자 이내 요약, 본문에 왜 바꿨는지.

There are scenarios where you should not blindly trust outputs: argument orders or option names for external APIs, usage for the latest library versions, and security-critical code. The first two may have changed since the model’s training data cutoff, and the last can produce plausible-looking yet vulnerable code patterns. Developing a habit of cross-referencing documentation is essential.

When It Is Better to Turn It Off

• Writing security or authentication code. When dealing with encryption, token validation, or permission checks, plausible errors carry the highest risk. Writing it manually and having it code-reviewed is far safer.
• License-sensitive codebases. Even with suggestion filtering enabled, you should verify adoption with your legal team for projects with strict license requirements.
• Learning a new language or framework. Accepting suggestions blindly allows you to make progress without understanding why the code works. During learning phases, disabling inline completion and using chat solely for explanations yields better results.

⚠️ Plan details, eligibility for free access, and setting locations are accurate as of August 2026 and are subject to change. Check GitHub’s official documentation for current details prior to adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use it for free?

Free access is provided to verified student and teacher accounts, as well as maintainers of popular open-source projects. Additionally, a free tier for individual users operates with a limited number of completions. You can verify eligibility requirements and application steps on the GitHub Education program page.

Is company code used for model training?

It depends on your plan. Business and Enterprise plans explicitly guarantee by contract that organizational code will not be used for model training, whereas Individual plans allow users to opt in or out in settings. Check your current status under Copilot in your account settings, and review contract agreements directly if implementing at an organizational level.

How does it differ from Cursor?

The integration model differs. Copilot acts as an extension to your existing editor, letting you stay in your current environment. Cursor, on the other hand, replaces the editor entirely and indexes your entire repository, excelling at multi-file workflows. If you primarily want autocomplete, Copilot is ideal; if you frequently perform operations across an entire codebase, Cursor is a better fit.