Copilot

GitHub Copilot Edit Mode

GitHub Copilot has changed the way developers write code by giving smart suggestions while you type. But there’s an even more powerful feature called Copilot Edit Mode that can do much more.

In this post, we’ll explain what Edit Mode is, how it works, and why it’s useful, especially when you want to clean up code, fix bugs, or make quick improvements using AI right inside your coding tool.

What is Copilot Edit Mode in GitHub?

Edit Mode lets you talk to GitHub Copilot in plain English to make changes to your code.

Instead of writing new code yourself or relying on unclear suggestions, you can simply ask Copilot what you want it to do using a clear, natural prompt. This way, you can tell Copilot to:

  • Clean up or improve existing code
  • Add any missing Logic
  • Make the code run faster or more efficiently
  • Fix certain bugs or issues
  • Change the code to use a different style or pattern
  • Add helpful comments or documentation

All of this without having to rewrite the code yourself.

How to Work with Copilot Edit Mode?

Prerequisites

  • A valid GitHub Copilot subscription
  • The latest version of Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio 2022, or newer
  • GitHub Copilot extension installed

Use Edit Mode in Visual Studio

  1. Select the code you want to change.
  2. Go To View -> Choose GitHub Copilot Chat
  3. Type a plain English instruction, such as
    • "Refactor this to use async/await."
    • "Add XML documentation."
    • "Improve the selected code."
  4. Copilot will suggest an edit. You can review it and choose to accept, reject, or adjust the suggestion.
    Copilot

Prompt Examples

Here are some practical prompts that work well with Edit Mode.

Prompt Outcome
“Convert this method to use LINQ.” Transforms loops into LINQ expressions
“Fix potential null reference issue.” Adds null checks and safeguards
“Add logging to this method.” Inserts structured logs (e.g., ILogger)
“Optimize this loop for performance.” Suggests algorithmic or structural changes
“Add comments explaining each step.” Generates human-readable comments

Real-world use case: Refactoring legacy code

Imagine you're dealing with an old method full of nested loops and conditionals. You select the code and enter the prompt:

"Refactor this to improve readability and remove deeply nested conditions."

Copilot then suggests a cleaner, more organized version of the code, breaking it into helper methods and instantly lowering its complexity.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Edit Mode is most effective on small to medium-sized code sections.
  • It might not fully understand the broader context outside the selected code.
  • You may need to fine-tune the results manually after it makes changes.

Still, when used thoughtfully, it can significantly boost code quality and developer efficiency.

Please read more about GitHub Copilot Edit Mode from here

Conclusion

GitHub Copilot Edit Mode goes beyond simple code suggestions — it acts as a smart partner in your refactoring and debugging process. Whether you're updating old code, building new features, or trying out ideas, Edit Mode helps you work more efficiently and intelligently.

Try it out: Select a piece of code, click on “Edit with Copilot,” and type your instruction!
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