GitHub, a Microsoft-owned developer platform, has launched a free version of its AI-powered coding aid, GitHub Copilot Free, for Visual Studio Code. This shift makes complex AI coding tools available to developers with simpler requirements or lower budgets.
In 2022, GitHub announced Copilot, an AI coding helper powered by OpenAI’s Codex. Since then, it has received several upgrades. The introduction of GitHub Copilot Free coincides with the platform reaching an important milestone of 150 million developers globally.
According to GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, the firm has a long history of providing free tools to the developer community. Previous offers included free repositories, CI/CD minutes, and codespaces. The acquisition of Copilot Free strengthens GitHub’s commitment to lowering barriers for developers of all skill levels.
What is included with GitHub Copilot Free?
GitHub Copilot Free offers developers 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages each month. You may access these features by logging in with your personal GitHub account. The free version is intended for casual usage and is best suited for developers working on modest projects.
The AI models that enable Copilot Free include Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, allowing users to:
Get solutions to your coding questions.
Debug the present code.
Apply modifications to several files.
To access sophisticated capabilities like as Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro or OpenAI’s premium models, developers must pay to Copilot Pro, which costs $10 per month.
Copilot Free’s key features are as follows:
Multi-file Editing: Conversational code creation allows users to modify numerous files at once.
Terminal Assistance: Copilot can read terminal errors, resolve unsuccessful commands, and even recommend shell scripts.
Custom Instructions: Developers can customize code styles, frameworks, and project rules.
Voice Commands: A hands-free alternative enables users to troubleshoot or prototype apps using voice input.
Project Context Awareness: Copilot examines a complete codebase to give more effective support.
Future Development: Vision Copilot
In addition to the free tier, GitHub is now testing a new tool called Vision Copilot. This application allows developers to generate user interfaces using images or markup, easing the process of converting designs into usable code. Vision Copilot, which is currently in preview, needs customers to provide their own API key in order to use AI services.
Access and Availability
GitHub Copilot Free is now accessible both in Visual Studio Code and on the GitHub website. Developers simply require a GitHub account to begin utilizing the platform. This development furthers GitHub’s objective to make AI tools accessible to as many users as possible.
With GitHub Copilot Free, the firm continues to serve the developer community by providing practical solutions for common issues like as debugging, composing commit messages, and maintaining naming conventions.
Visit GitHub’s official website or enable it in Visual Studio Code to learn more about GitHub Copilot Free.
The original article by Carl Franzen was published on VentureBeat. You can check out the full article here.
I’m Voss Xolani, and I’m deeply passionate about exploring AI software and tools. From cutting-edge machine learning platforms to powerful automation systems, I’m always on the lookout for the latest innovations that push the boundaries of what AI can do. I love experimenting with new AI tools, discovering how they can improve efficiency and open up new possibilities. With a keen eye for software that’s shaping the future, I’m excited to share with you the tools that are transforming industries and everyday life.