> Source URL: /unit-3/resources/github-copilot.guide
# GitHub Copilot Guide

GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant that integrates directly into VS Code. Since you are already using VS Code for this course, Copilot is the easiest agent to set up. It is free for students.

## Getting Started

1. Install [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) if you have not already
2. Install the [GitHub Copilot extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot)
3. Sign in with your GitHub account

Even without student verification, you get the Copilot Free tier immediately (see below).

## Copilot Student Plan

The Copilot Student plan is free for verified students and is the recommended option for this course. It includes:

- **Unlimited completions** with included models
- **300 premium requests per month** for the latest models
- **Agent mode** in VS Code for multi-step autonomous coding
- **Copilot Chat** in your editor
- **Cloud agent** and **Copilot CLI** access

### How to Get It

1. Go to [GitHub Education Benefits](https://github.com/settings/education/benefits)
2. Complete the student verification process with your `.edu` email. You may need to upload proof of enrollment such as a student ID or transcript.
3. Wait for approval (usually a few days)
4. Once verified, your Copilot access activates automatically

GitHub re-evaluates student eligibility monthly. Your student validation lasts for 2 years before you need to re-verify.

If you have trouble with verification, see the [GitHub Community Discussion](https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/150290) for common issues. Students with non-standard naming conventions may need to contact GitHub Education support directly with documentation like a college ID.

### March 2026 Model Changes

In March 2026, GitHub updated the Student plan. You can no longer manually select premium models like GPT-5.4, Claude Opus, or Claude Sonnet. However, you still get access to these models through **Auto mode**, which automatically picks the best model for each task. Models you can still select directly include Claude 4.5 Haiku, Gemini 3.1 Pro, and GPT-5.3 Codex.

For most tasks in this course, Auto mode works well. If you need manual model selection, the paid Pro plan ($10/mo) or Pro+ plan ($39/mo) provides that.

## Agent Mode

Agent mode lets Copilot work autonomously in VS Code: it can determine which files to edit, run terminal commands, fix errors, and iterate without you manually guiding each step. This is the main way you will use Copilot as a coding agent in this course.

- **Student plan:** Agent mode included with unlimited use (using included models)
- **Free tier:** 50 agent mode requests per month

## Free Tier vs Student Plan

You do not need student verification to use Copilot at all. The free tier is available to anyone with a GitHub account:

| Feature                | Free Tier          | Student Plan                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| Cost                   | Free               | Free (verified students)        |
| Code completions       | 2,000/month        | Unlimited                       |
| Agent/chat requests    | 50/month           | 300 premium + unlimited w/ base |
| Model selection        | Limited            | Auto + select models            |
| Verification required? | No                 | Yes (.edu email)                |

If your student verification is pending or you are having issues with it, the free tier still gives you basic agent and chat access while you sort it out.

## Pricing

If you are not a student and want more than the free tier:

- **Pro ($10/mo):** Unlimited completions, 300 premium requests, manual model selection including Claude and Codex models
- **Pro+ ($39/mo):** 1,500 premium requests, access to all models including Claude Opus 4.6

See [GitHub Copilot Plans](https://github.com/features/copilot/plans) for details.

## Resources

- [GitHub Copilot Documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot)
- [Free Access for Students](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/manage-your-account/free-access-with-copilot-student)
- [GitHub Student Developer Pack](https://education.github.com/pack)
- [March 2026 Student Plan Changes](https://github.blog/changelog/2026-03-13-updates-to-github-copilot-for-students/)


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## Backlinks

The following sources link to this document:

- [GitHub Copilot Guide](/unit-3/labs/01-transition/01-transition.lab.llm.md)
- [GitHub Copilot](/unit-3/resources/claude-code.guide.llm.md)
- [GitHub Copilot Guide](/unit-3/resources/agents-comparison.guide.llm.md)