Github Copilot - Advanced Features

Advanced GitHub Copilot Features

The Basics:

• Copilot suggestions appear as ghost text

• Accept suggestion with Tab

• Uses open files as context by default

• Prompts can be given through:

  • Comments

  • Chat panel

  • Inline chat

Chatting with Copilot:

• Use the chat panel in VS Code

• Ask:

  • Code questions

  • Software-related questions

• Good for interactive discussions

Inline Chat:

• Use Copilot directly inside code

• Shortcut:

  • Ctrl+I on Windows

  • Command+I on Mac

• Helps without leaving the editor

Slash Commands:

• Used in chat or inline chat

• Help with common tasks quickly

• Examples:

  • /tests → generate tests

  • /docs → write documentation

• Better than long prompts for common actions

Agents:

• Special context-aware Copilot helpers in VS Code

• Examples:

  • @terminal → help with terminal tasks

  • @workspace → understands the full project

• Example:

  • @workspace how can I package this project?

Exam Tip Summary:

• Advanced features include:

  • Ghost text

  • Chat pane

  • Inline chat

  • Slash commands

  • Agents

• Key shortcuts:

  • Tab = accept suggestion

  • Ctrl+I / Command+I = inline chat

• Agents add specialized context

• Slash commands improve speed and response quality

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Advanced Tasks with GitHub Copilot

Implicit Prompts:

• Copilot can understand intent without detailed prompts

• Use inline chat (Ctrl+I / Cmd+I) + slash commands

• Example:

  • /fix → fixes bugs in selected code

• Works by using context + built-in prompt patterns

Key Slash Commands:

• /fix → fix bugs

• /doc → add documentation/comments

• /explain → explain code

• /generate → generate code

• /optimize → improve performance

• /tests → create unit tests

• /help → usage help

Exam Tip:

• Slash commands = faster + more precise than long prompts

Selective Context (Very Important):

Copilot can focus on different scopes:

• @workspace → entire project

• @terminal → terminal output

• @file → specific file

• @directory → folder

Examples:

• @workspace create Dockerfile

• @terminal fix this error

• @file refactor this function

• @directory optimize scripts

Context Advantage:

• No need to open many files

• Copilot uses:

  • Project structure

  • Files

  • Environment context

Improving Results:

• If output is wrong:

  • Reword prompt

  • Add constraints (e.g., “use Python virtual env”)

  • Combine features (agents + slash commands)

Exam Summary (Must Remember):

• Implicit prompts = minimal input, smart output

• Slash commands = predefined powerful actions

• Agents (@workspace, @file, etc.) = context control

• Better prompts → better results