GitHub Copilot is now free for everyone, making it easier than ever to experiment with AI-powered coding tools. It provides access to multiple models, including the most advanced o1. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced programmer, Copilot can help streamline development and boost productivity.
A great way to explore its capabilities is by building Conway’s Game of Life—a classic cellular automaton simulation—using a dedicated GitHub repository. The repository not only demonstrates Copilot’s features but also offers an opportunity to learn programming concepts step-by-step. Check it out here:
GitHub Game of Life Walkthrough.
To get started, you’ll need a GitHub account and Visual Studio Code with the GitHub Codespaces extension. Codespaces lets you set up a cloud-based development environment quickly, so you can follow the tutorial without worrying about local configurations.
After setting up the repository and environment, Copilot assists with generating code snippets, writing functions, and providing inline explanations. Its chat features and slash commands allow you to refine code iteratively, making it feel like having a pair-programming partner available 24/7.
The walkthrough also guides you through publishing the project to GitHub Pages, turning the simulation into a web-based demo. It’s a hands-on introduction to coding workflows, GitHub integrations, and AI-assisted programming.
The repository is open-source and encourages contributions. It’s a practical starting point for exploring AI in software development while building something interactive and visually engaging. Dive into the tutorial and see what you can create with Copilot!