Can you use ChatGPT in VS Code??

Visual Studio Code
30 Mar 202305:24

TLDRThe video introduces a new ChatGPT-like experience integrated into Visual Studio Code (VS Code) through the GitHub Copilot extension. Users can sign up for a waitlist to access this feature, which allows for a chat interface similar to ChatGPT but with the added benefit of being aware of the user's code and open tabs. The extension facilitates conversations on programming topics, providing tailored responses based on the details given. It can generate code snippets and steps for creating applications, and offers an inline chat experience within the code editor for quick assistance on syntax and other coding questions. The chat can also be used to scope the context for debugging, setting configurations, and understanding unfamiliar code with the help of special slash commands. The video encourages developers to join the waitlist to try out this innovative AI-powered coding assistance.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 ChatGPT-like functionality in VS Code is enabled by the GitHub Copilot extension.
  • 📋 You need to sign up for the waitlist to access the new chat experience.
  • 💬 The chat sidebar acts like ChatGPT but is aware of your code and open tabs.
  • 🔍 The more details you provide, the more accurate the suggestions from Copilot.
  • 🚀 Copilot can generate code and steps for creating specific applications.
  • ✂️ Code snippets can be copied directly or added to the file at the cursor position.
  • 🤔 Copilot acts as a pair programmer, offering suggestions for structuring your app.
  • 📑 An inline chat experience within the code editor allows for context-specific queries.
  • 🔄 Iteration is important when using Copilot to refine the code suggestions.
  • 💡 Special slash commands can scope the context for more accurate responses.
  • 🛠 Copilot's knowledge of VS Code is useful for finding settings and configurations.
  • 📝 The /explain command helps understand unfamiliar code snippets.
  • 🧐 The /test command assists in creating unit tests for code.
  • 🔍 The /debug command provides insights into why code may not be working.
  • 🛠️ The /fix command offers solutions to fix selected code issues.

Q & A

  • What is the new chat functionality in VS Code?

    -The new chat functionality in VS Code is enabled by the GitHub Copilot extension, which provides a chat sidebar that functions like ChatGPT but with the added benefit of understanding the user's code and open tabs.

  • How do you access the chat feature in VS Code?

    -After installing the GitHub Copilot extension and signing in, there will be a new chat icon in the activity bar of VS Code. Clicking on this icon opens the chat sidebar.

  • What kind of assistance can you get from the chat feature regarding programming?

    -The chat feature can provide assistance on a wide range of programming-related topics. It can answer questions, provide code suggestions, and help with debugging, among other things.

  • How does providing more details to Copilot affect the quality of the response?

    -The more detailed the question or request, the better and more specific the response from Copilot. It allows for more tailored and accurate assistance.

  • What is the inline chat experience in VS Code?

    -The inline chat experience allows users to open a chat directly within their code. This feature is designed to reduce context switching and integrate the chat more closely with the coding process.

  • How does Copilot assist with debugging in VS Code?

    -Copilot can provide a launch configuration for attaching a debugger in VS Code when asked via the special slash command. It can also offer explanations and potential fixes for code issues.

  • What are some special slash commands that can be used in the chat to scope the context?

    -Some special slash commands include '/vscode' for VS Code specific queries, '/explain' for understanding unfamiliar code, and '/test' to create unit tests.

  • How does the chat feature help with bootstrapping code?

    -The chat feature can provide initial code snippets and steps for creating certain applications or solving specific programming tasks, which can help bootstrap the coding process.

  • What is the role of the user in relation to Copilot?

    -The user is still the 'pilot', meaning they are ultimately responsible for the code and decisions. Copilot serves as a helpful assistant, providing suggestions and solutions.

  • How can the chat feature help with structuring an app?

    -Copilot can offer suggestions on how to structure an app, such as recommending a folder for controllers to contain route logic, thus aiding in the separation of concerns.

  • What is the significance of the 'fix' command in the chat?

    -The 'fix' command attempts to correct issues with the selected text in the code. While the user may not always agree with the suggested fix, it provides a starting point for troubleshooting.

  • How can one sign up for the new chat experience in VS Code?

    -To sign up for the new chat experience, one needs to click on the link provided in the video description, which will add them to the waitlist for the GitHub Copilot extension.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Introduction to ChatGPT-like Experience in VS Code

The video introduces a new ChatGPT-like feature in Visual Studio Code (VS Code), enabled by the GitHub Copilot extension. Users need to sign up for the waitlist to access this feature. Once installed, a chat icon appears in the activity bar, opening a sidebar that functions like ChatGPT but with the added benefit of understanding the user's code and open tabs. The chat can be used to discuss any programming topic, and the more detailed the user's query, the more precise the response. For example, asking to create an Express app with TypeScript and Vue results in actual code and steps. The user can copy the code or add it directly to the file. Copilot acts as a pair programmer, offering suggestions and best practices, such as organizing route logic in a separate folder. The video also highlights an inline chat experience within the code, allowing for quick queries and iterations. Special slash commands are available to scope the context, such as attaching a debugger or finding VS Code settings. The /explain command helps understand unfamiliar code, and the /test command assists in creating unit tests. The /debug and /fix commands offer insights into code issues and potential fixes, respectively.

05:01

🚀 Exploring the New Inline Chat and Commands in VS Code

The video continues by showcasing the new inline chat experience in VS Code, which allows developers to integrate chat directly into their coding workflow. This feature is particularly useful for quick iterations and getting assistance with specific coding tasks without leaving the code editor. The video demonstrates how to use the inline chat to ask for help with template syntax in HTML and how to refine requests based on personal preferences. It also emphasizes the importance of iteration when using Copilot to achieve the desired outcome. The video explains the use of special slash commands to enhance the chat experience, such as /vscode for VS Code specific queries, and /explain to understand unfamiliar code snippets. Additionally, the /test command is introduced for generating unit tests, and the /debug and /fix commands are highlighted for troubleshooting and fixing code issues. The video concludes by inviting viewers to join the waitlist for the new chat experience and learn more about the integration of AI with Visual Studio Code through GitHub Copilot.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) model that is capable of answering questions, summarizing text, translating languages, and engaging in conversations with humans. In the context of the video, ChatGPT is used as a reference for the new chat functionality coming to Visual Studio Code (VS Code), which is designed to provide programming assistance and code generation.

💡GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is an extension for VS Code that enables the new chat functionality similar to ChatGPT. It is designed to assist developers by providing code suggestions and understanding the context of the code and open tabs within the editor. The video discusses how GitHub Copilot can be used to streamline the coding process by offering tailored advice and code snippets.

💡VS Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. It is known for its robust features, such as support for debugging, Git control, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, snippets, and code refactoring. The video focuses on the integration of AI-powered chat functionality into VS Code through the GitHub Copilot extension.

💡Code Generation

Code generation refers to the process of automatically creating code based on certain inputs or requirements. In the video, the GitHub Copilot extension is shown to generate code snippets and steps for creating applications, such as an Express app using TypeScript and Vue, which helps developers to quickly prototype and build applications.

💡Inline Chat Experience

The inline chat experience is a feature that allows developers to interact with the AI directly within their code files in VS Code. This feature is highlighted in the video as a way to reduce context switching and integrate the AI's assistance directly into the coding workflow. For example, the AI can provide syntax for iterating over an array or suggest improvements to code structure.

💡Slash Commands

Slash commands in the context of the video refer to special commands that can be used within the chat interface to scope the context for the AI's responses. They are used to perform tasks or access specific features within VS Code, such as attaching a debugger or modifying settings. The video demonstrates how these commands can streamline the development process.

💡Contextual Assistance

Contextual assistance is the AI's ability to provide responses that are relevant to the current state of the code or the open tabs in VS Code. This is a key feature of the GitHub Copilot extension, as it allows the AI to give more accurate and helpful suggestions based on the specific context of the developer's work.

💡/explain Command

The /explain command is a specific slash command used within the chat interface to request an explanation of a piece of code. The video demonstrates how this command can be helpful for understanding unfamiliar code or for recalling the functionality of code that the developer has not seen in a while.

💡/fix Command

The /fix command is another slash command that attempts to provide a solution to fix the selected code. The video emphasizes that while the AI may not always provide the perfect solution, it can offer a starting point for the developer to begin troubleshooting or improving the code.

💡Debugging

Debugging is the process of identifying and resolving defects or problems in a computer program. In the video, the AI's ability to assist with debugging is showcased through the use of the /debug command, which can offer insights into why the code may not be working as expected.

💡AI-Powered Assistance

AI-powered assistance refers to the use of artificial intelligence to enhance and streamline various tasks, such as coding. The video discusses how the AI in GitHub Copilot provides tailored assistance to developers within VS Code, making it easier to write, understand, and debug code.

Highlights

ChatGPT-like experience is coming soon to VS Code.

The new chat functionality is enabled by the GitHub Copilot extension.

Sign up for the waitlist to get the new experience via the link in the video description.

Once installed, a new chat icon appears in the activity bar of VS Code.

Copilot knows about your code and the tabs you have open, streamlining the coding process.

You can have programming-related conversations with Copilot.

The more detail you provide, the better the answer from Copilot.

Copilot can generate code and steps for creating specific applications.

Copilot acts as a pair programmer, offering recommendations for code structure.

An inline chat experience allows for integration within your code.

Copilot can provide syntax examples and adapt to the CSS framework you are using.

Iterative interaction with Copilot is key to refining the code.

Special slash commands can be used to scope the context for your chat within VS Code.

Copilot's knowledge of VS Code is useful for finding settings and configurations.

The /explain command helps understand unfamiliar code.

The /test command assists in creating unit tests for code.

The /debug command provides insights into why code may not be working.

The /fix command offers suggestions for fixing code issues.

Join the waitlist to try out the new chat experience in VS Code.

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