GitHub Copilot Free enables you to experience AI-powered coding assistance in your IDE by providing limited access to select Copilot features. With Copilot Free, you can now access all AI-integrated features in Visual Studio, including Completions, Edits, and Chat.

To get started with Copilot Free in Visual Studio, you need:

• Visual Studio 2022 version 17.8 or later
• GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio

With Visual Studio version 17.14 or later, you can activate Copilot Free at first launch. You can also set up from the Copilot Chat window at any time by following the steps below.

If you're not signed in, the Get started with Copilot Free dialog appears when you try to use any Copilot feature.

1. Use Ctrl+\+C to open the chat window in Visual Studio. You can also select the GitHub Copilot badge in the upper-right corner of the IDE, and then select Open Chat Window from the dropdown to open chat.

2. In the Chat window, enter a prompt to start using Copilot. The Get started with Copilot Free dialog appears.

3. Select Continue with GitHub or Continue with Google.

   :::moniker range="<=vs-2022"

   :::image type="content" source="media/vs-2022/get-started-with-copilot-free-dialog.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Sign up for Copilot Free in the Chat window.":::

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   :::image type="content" source="media/visualstudio/get-started-with-copilot-free-dialog.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Sign up for Copilot Free in the Chat window.":::

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4. If you have an existing GitHub account, sign in when prompted. If not, follow the steps to create a new GitHub account.

5. When finished, you're redirected back to Visual Studio.

Copilot Free provides a limited number of code completions and chat responses for free each month. When you reach your monthly usage limit for chat or code completions, or both, you receive a notification and notice a change in Copilot functionality.

:::moniker range="visualstudio"

You can check your free tier status anytime by selecting Copilot Usage from the Copilot badge dropdown in the top-right corner of the IDE.

:::image type="content" source="media/visualstudio/copilot-free-status.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Copilot Free Status menu option.":::

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You can check your free tier status anytime by selecting Copilot Free Status from the Copilot badge dropdown in the top-right corner of the IDE.

:::image type="content" source="media/vs-2022/copilot-free/copilot-free-status.png" alt-text="Screenshot of Copilot Free Status menu option.":::

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You can also check the current status of your Copilot Free account on the GitHub account settings page.

When you reach the usage limits, your Copilot experience in Visual Studio might be affected as follows:

:::row::: :::column span="1"::: Usage limit for Completions is reached :::column-end::: :::column span="2"::: User receives IntelliCode suggestions instead of Copilot completions. The Copilot badge stays green, indicating active status. :::column-end::: :::row-end::: :::row::: :::column span="1"::: Usage limit for Chat is reached :::column-end::: :::column span="2"::: User no longer receives chat responses when sending prompts. The Copilot badge stays green, indicating active status. :::column-end::: :::row-end::: :::row::: :::row-end:::

When you reach usage limits for Copilot Free, wait for the limits to reset at the end of the monthly cycle or upgrade to Copilot Pro to continue using Copilot.

Copilot Free isn't available if you have an EMU account, access to a Copilot license through an organization, an existing Copilot Pro subscription or trial, or free access to Copilot Pro as a student, teacher, or open-source maintainer. For the latest information, see About GitHub Copilot Free.

Yes. You can enable or disable completions at any time. To enable or disable completions, select Settings from GitHub Copilot badge in the upper-right corner of your IDE, and then select or unselect Enable Copilot Completions. You can also get to it from Settings > Options.

Yes. You can configure these settings from the GitHub Copilot Settings page.

Copilot Free includes the following features: Copilot Completions, Edits, and Chat. Learn more at About GitHub Copilot Free.

See About GitHub Copilot Free for information.

• Install and manage GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio
• GitHub Copilot experience for Visual Studio
• GitHub Copilot Chat experience for Visual Studio
• About GitHub Copilot Free