Top GitHub Copilot Shortcuts and Commands for Faster Coding

One of the biggest advantages of using GitHub Copilot is speed. But did you know you can make Copilot even faster by learning its shortcuts and commands?

Instead of manually clicking or navigating suggestions, these keyboard shortcuts will help you accept, reject, or cycle through Copilot completions instantly.

GitHub Copilot Shortcuts in VS Code

If you’re using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), here are the most important shortcuts:

Action	Windows/Linux	MacOS
Accept suggestion	`Tab`	`Tab`
Accept next word	`Ctrl + →`	`Cmd + →`
Accept next line	`Ctrl + Enter`	`Cmd + Enter`
Trigger Copilot manually	`Alt + \`	`Option + \`
Cycle through suggestions	`Alt + ]` / `Alt + [`	`Option + ]` / `Option + [`
Dismiss suggestion	`Esc`	`Esc`

GitHub Copilot Commands in VS Code

In addition to shortcuts, Copilot also offers commands you can trigger from the command palette (Ctrl + Shift + P / Cmd + Shift + P):

Copilot: Enable → Turns on GitHub Copilot
Copilot: Disable → Turns off GitHub Copilot
Copilot: Open Settings → Lets you configure Copilot preferences
Copilot: Show Next Suggestion → Cycles through alternate suggestions

GitHub Copilot Shortcuts in JetBrains IDEs

For developers using IntelliJ, PyCharm, or other JetBrains IDEs:

Action	Windows/Linux	MacOS
Accept suggestion	`Tab`	`Tab`
Next suggestion	`Alt + ]`	`Option + ]`
Previous suggestion	`Alt + [`	`Option + [`
Dismiss suggestion	`Esc`	`Esc`

Tips for Faster Coding with Copilot

Learn the accept shortcuts by heart — especially Tab and Ctrl + Enter.
Use cycling (Alt + ] / Alt + [) to explore multiple suggestions before choosing one.
Don’t over-rely on Copilot — review suggestions carefully to avoid introducing bugs.
Customize your keybindings if the defaults clash with your IDE setup.

Conclusion

Mastering GitHub Copilot isn’t just about letting AI write code for you — it’s about knowing how to work with it efficiently. Shortcuts and commands make the experience seamless and save you tons of time.

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