What Are GitHub Copilot Extensions?

[srvchawla]

GitHub Copilot has become a revolutionary tool for developers, transforming how we write and debug code, but did you know you can enhance its functionality even further by exploring extensions? Let me walk you through how leveraging GitHub Copilot extensions can supercharge your Github Copilot experience.

💡 What Are GitHub Copilot Extensions?

GitHub Copilot extensions are essentially plugins that expand the functionality of Copilot chat. If you’re looking to integrate with a third-party system, enforce coding guidelines, or retrieve more contextual suggestions from your knowledge store, extensions open up a new range of possibilities. Think of them as apps for Copilot that bring integrations to life as if you have added unlimited tools to your toolbox.

Some Popular Use Cases

• Query documentation from third-party services such as ReadMe API, Atlassian Rovo, GitBook
• Utilize AI-assisted coding with external LLM models: PerplexityAI, Github Models
• Retrieve data or execute specific actions in external systems such as DataStax, Docker
• Customization: Build your own Extensions (BYOE) tailored to your specific needs

🎺 Note

GitHub Copilot Extensions are not the same as the GitHub Copilot extension which you install in your IDE to use default Copilot functionality like code completions and GitHub Copilot Chat
Once installed via marketplace they can be accessed under Copilot Chat via "@your_extension_name" wherever Github Copilot chat is accessed i.e. IDE or Github.com

🚀 Don't reinvent the wheel

• There are two ways to work with Github Copilot Extensions:
  • Install a third-party Github Copilot extension
  • Build your own extension
• Github Marketplace is growing with powerful extensions added frequently to meet your needs.
• Before you dive in to create our own extension, see if your favourite product team has already built extensions on the marketplace.

✅ Subscription Check

• If you have a Copilot Individual subscription, you can install an extension to your personal account.
• If you have access to Copilot through a Copilot Business or Copilot Enterprise subscription: An organization owner or enterprise owner needs to enable the Copilot Extensions policy for your organization or enterprise first.

🛠️ Install an existing extension

• Step 1: Install extension

  • In the list of Copilot Extensions, locate an app you'd like to install
  • Choose the org you want to install it in
  • Click Install & Authorize

• Step 2: Use the extension

  • To use the extension, Enter the name of the extension in Copilot Chat UI with "@" prefixed. Example: @docker - help me find vulnerabilities in my project?

🎺 Note

At the time of writing this post, these extensions are free, but that may or may not change in the future> Visit developer's documentation to see more details

🚀 Whats Next?

By exploring extensions, you can elevate your workflow and even contribute to the developer community by creating your own.
Install, experiment, and let Copilot take your coding to the next level!

In the next part of the blog, we will cover how to build your own Github Copilot Extension and customize them to your needs. Stay Tuned!

📚 Resources

• Using Copilot Extensions
• Github Copilot Extensions Marketplace
• Tips on using Github Copilot Extensions

[bluesprout0612]

That’s really helpful! Can’t wait for your next blog.

[Yannaner]

Very detailed blog! Thanks for the info.