Debugging Code with GitHub Copilot: A fully Guide
GitHub Copilot can enhance your debugging process by troubleshooting directly in your IDE, analyzing pull requests, and more. This support helps you address issues more quickly and effectively. Debugging is a crucial aspect of a developer’s workflow, but it can also be one of the most time-consuming tasks. What if AI could simplify this process, enabling you to analyze, fix, and document code more rapidly? Enter GitHub Copilot, your AI-powered coding assistant.
GitHub Copilot is useful for writing code and a powerful debugging tool. Whether you’re troubleshooting in your integrated development environment (IDE), utilizing Copilot Chat’s slash commands, or reviewing pull requests (PR) on GitHub, GitHub Copilot provides flexible and intelligent solutions that can expedite your debugging process. The free version of GitHub Copilot is available to all personal GitHub accounts, allowing you to start exploring these features right away.
We will discuss how to debug code using GitHub Copilot, where to incorporate it into your workflow, and best practices to maximize its capabilities. Whether you are new to GitHub Copilot or looking to enhance your skills, this guide has valuable insights for you.
Debugging Code with GitHub Copilot: Features and Workflows
Debugging code with GitHub Copilot can help you resolve issues more quickly while deepening your understanding of the codebase. Whether you’re fixing syntax errors, refactoring inefficient code, or troubleshooting unexpected behavior, GitHub Copilot offers valuable insights throughout your debugging process.
So, how does it work? According to Christopher Harrison, Senior Developer Advocate, “GitHub Copilot recognizes patterns and suggests solutions based on what it has learned.” Once you’ve pinpointed the problem area, you can engage with GitHub Copilot and ask questions like, “I’m providing this input but getting this output—what’s wrong?” This is where GitHub Copilot truly excels.
Let’s explore how GitHub Copilot can assist you in debugging your code across various platforms, including your IDE, github.com, and even during pull requests.
1. In Copilot Chat.
Copilot Chat serves as an interactive AI assistant, helping you debug issues through natural language queries. With Copilot Free, you receive 50 chat messages each month. With Copilot Chat, you can:
- Get real-time explanations: Ask questions like “Why is this function throwing an error?” and Copilot Chat will analyze the code to provide insights.
- Use slash commands for debugging: Try using /fix to generate a potential solution or /explain to receive a step-by-step breakdown of a complex function. (More details on this later!)
- Refactor code for efficiency: If your implementation is messy or inefficient, Copilot Chat can suggest cleaner alternatives. As Christopher explains, “Refactoring improves the readability of code, making it easier for both developers and GitHub Copilot to understand. When code is easier to understand, it’s also easier to debug and spot problems.”
- Walk through errors interactively: Describe your issue in the chat to receive tailored guidance, all without leaving your IDE.
How to Locate GitHub Copilot Chat
Find the GitHub Copilot icon or prompt in your IDE, on github.com, or within pull requests to start a conversation. Simply click on the icon to receive code suggestions, unit tests, proposed code fixes, and much more!
2. Within your Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
In popular integrated development environments (IDEs) such as VS Code or JetBrains, GitHub Copilot provides real-time suggestions as users write code. This feature enhances the coding experience by:
- Flagging Issues: For instance, if you declare a variable but forget to initialize it, GitHub Copilot can suggest a correction.
- Code Fixes: If you encounter a syntax error, GitHub Copilot can propose a fix in seconds, helping to keep your code error-free.
- Contextual Assistance: GitHub Copilot analyzes your workspace and offers solutions tailored to your specific codebase and project structure.
How to find GitHub Copilot in VS Code
- To open up the chat view, head over to the VS Code title bar and select, “Use AI features with Copilot for Free.”
- Sign in with your GitHub account by clicking on “Sign in to use Copilot for Free.”
- Don’t have a GitHub Copilot subscription yet? Then follow the browser steps to sign up for your Copilot Free plan.
3. On github.com
GitHub Copilot offers debugging assistance not only within your IDE but also directly on GitHub.io through Copilot Chat, especially in repositories and discussions. With this feature, you can:
- To troubleshoot code in repositories, start by opening the relevant file and highlighting the problematic section. You can then analyze this section with Copilot Chat for guidance.
- If you need to generate test cases, and you’re unsure how to verify a function, GitHub Copilot can suggest appropriate test cases based on the existing code.
- When dealing with unfamiliar code, whether it’s an open-source project or a teammate’s pull request, you can ask GitHub Copilot to summarize a function or explain its logic for better understanding.
How to Locate GitHub Copilot on GitHub.com
4. For assistance with pull requests.
The GitHub Copilot can help streamline debugging in pull requests (PRs), ensuring that code quality is maintained before merging.
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- Improve PR Comments: GitHub Copilot can review pull requests (PRs) and suggest fixes directly in the conversation.
- Generate PR Summaries: If you’re having trouble describing your changes, Greg Larkin, a Senior Service Delivery Engineer, recommends using GitHub Copilot when creating a pull request. It summarizes the differences between your feature branch and the target branch, helping you write a clear description.
- Explain Diffs: If you’re unsure why a change was made, you can ask GitHub Copilot to summarize the differences between commits.
- Catch Edge Cases Before Merging: Use the command `/analyze` to identify potential issues and `/tests` to generate any missing test cases.
- Refactor on the Fly: If a PR contains redundant or inefficient code, GitHub Copilot can suggest optimized alternatives.
Integrating Copilot into your PR workflow can accelerate code reviews while ensuring high-quality standards. However, it is essential to combine it with peer expertise for optimal results.
5 slash commands in GitHub Copilot for debugging code
Slash commands transform GitHub Copilot into a debugging assistant that helps you resolve issues more quickly, gain better insights, and enhance code quality. Below are some of the most useful slash commands for debugging:
1. Use /help to get guidance on using GitHub Copilot effectively
The /help slash command guides how to interact effectively with GitHub Copilot. It offers tips on structuring prompts, using slash commands, and maximizing the capabilities of GitHub Copilot.
- How it works: To receive suggestions related to your current task—such as debugging, explaining code, or generating test cases—simply type /help in Copilot Chat.
- Example: If you need a refresher on what GitHub Copilot can do, use /help to access a quick guide to various slash commands, such as /fix and /explain.
Use the command /fix to propose and implement corrections.
The /fix command is an essential tool for resolving coding issues by enabling you to highlight a block of problematic code or describe an error.
- Here’s how it works: Select the code that is causing issues, type /fix, and allow Copilot Chat to generate suggestions for you.
- For example, if you have a malfunctioning API call, you can use /fix to receive a corrected version that includes the appropriate headers or parameters.
3. Use /explain to understand code and errors
The /explain command simplifies complex code or confusing error messages, making them easier to understand.
- Here’s how it works: highlight the code or error message you need clarification on, type /explain, and Copilot Chat will explain. It will describe the purpose of the function, explain how it processes data, identify potential edge cases, and highlight any possible bugs or issues.
- For example, if you encounter a “NullPointerException,” using /explain will help you understand why it happened and how to prevent it in the future.
4. Use /tests to generate tests
Testing is essential for identifying bugs, and the `/tests` command assists by generating test cases based on your code.
- Here’s how it works: Simply use `/tests` on a function or code snippet, and Copilot Chat will generate the relevant test cases for you.
- For example, if you apply `/tests` to a sorting function, Copilot Chat might create unit tests for edge cases such as empty arrays or null inputs.
5. Use /doc to create or enhance documentation.
Having well-maintained text documentation offers long-term benefits for both developers and GitHub Copilot, which can use this context to enhance code understanding. This makes your codebase significantly more searchable. By utilizing the /doc command with Copilot Free, you can even request a summary of specific code blocks directly within your IDE.
The /doc command is valuable for creating or refining documentation for your code, which is essential during debugging and collaboration with others. Clear documentation provides necessary context for troubleshooting, accelerates issue resolution, and enables fellow developers to grasp your code more quickly.
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- How it works: Highlight a function, class, or file, type /doc, and right-click to access the context menu. Copilot Chat will then generate comprehensive comments or documentation.
- Example: When you apply /doc to a function, Copilot Chat will create inline comments that detail its purpose, parameters, and expected output.
Quickly activate GitHub Copilot’s debugging features in VS Code using shortcut keys.
- Start or continue debugging: F5
- Stop debugging: Shift + F5
- Step over: F10
- Step into: F11
- Step out: Shift + F11
- Toggle breakpoint: F9
Best Practices for Debugging Code with GitHub Copilot
Provide clear context for better results.
Providing the right context enables GitHub Copilot to generate more relevant debugging suggestions. As Christopher explains, “The better Copilot understands what you’re trying to do and how you’re trying to do it, the more accurate its responses will be.”
Since GitHub Copilot analyzes your code within its surrounding context, it’s essential to keep your files well-structured and to include relevant dependencies. If you’re using Copilot Chat, make sure to reference specific functions, error messages, or logs to receive precise answers rather than generic suggestions.
Pro tip: If you’re working across multiple files, use the @workspace command to guide GitHub Copilot effectively and provide it with more context regarding your prompt and intended goals.
Inquire, improve, and enhance continuously in real time.
Instead of viewing GitHub Copilot as a one-time solution, consider engaging in a back-and-forth process to refine its suggestions. Greg suggests, “I find it useful to ask GitHub Copilot for three or four different options on how to fix a problem or analyze it for performance. The more specific you are about what you need—whether it’s speed, memory efficiency, or another constraint—the better the results will be.”
This iterative approach can help you explore alternative solutions you might not have considered, ultimately leading to more robust and efficient code.
Master the skill of creating specific prompts.
To get the best responses from GitHub Copilot, it helps to be specific with your prompts. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with this function?” try asking, “Why is this function returning undefined when the input is valid?” GitHub Copilot works best when you provide clear and detailed queries, whether you’re seeking a fix, requesting an explanation, or looking for test cases to validate your changes.
By crafting precise prompts and testing edge cases, you can use GitHub Copilot to identify potential issues before they escalate into production problems.
Consider using a structured approach to progressive debugging.
Consider using a step-by-step approach to your debugging process. Instead of rushing to apply fixes, utilize GitHub Copilot’s commands to first understand the issue, analyze potential causes, and then implement a solution. This structured workflow, known as progressive debugging, allows you to gain deeper insights into your code while ensuring that the fixes directly address the root cause of the problem.
For example:
Begin with the command /explain a problematic function to identify the issue. Use the command /start debugging to assist in setting up interactive debugging. Finally, utilize the command /fix to generate potential corrections.
If a function in your React app is not rendering as expected, start by explaining the relevant JSX or state logic. Then, use the debug tool to identify any mismanaged props, and finally apply the fix for a corrected implementation..
Merge commands for a more efficient workflow.
Some problems require several levels of debugging and refinement. By combining commands, you can transition from diagnosis to resolution more quickly.
For example:
- Utilize /explain and /fix to quickly understand and resolve issues. Use /fixTestFailure and /tests to identify failing tests and create new ones.
Use case:
- Fixing a Broken Function: To understand why a function is failing, run the slash command `/explain`. After identifying the issue, you can use the slash command `/fix` to generate a corrected version of the function.
- Improving Test Coverage: To address failing tests, use the slash command `/fixTestFailure` to identify and resolve the issues. Following that, you can use the slash command `/tests` to create additional unit tests for the highlighted code.
Slash commands are most effective when used in the right context, combined with clear problem descriptions, part of a systematic debugging approach, and validated through verification and testing.
Final Thought:
GitHub Copilot is a powerful tool that can enhance your workflow, but it does not eliminate the need for human insight, critical thinking, and collaboration. As Greg points out, “GitHub Copilot can essentially act as another reviewer, analyzing changes and providing comments. However, it does not replace human oversight. It’s important to have multiple perspectives on your code, as different reviewers can identify issues that others might overlook.”