11. **Describe Intent, Not Implementation**
2   - Good: "Add user authentication with JWT"
3   - Bad: "Write a function that takes username..."
4 
52. **Think in Components/Functions**
6   - Break down into small pieces
7   - Let Copilot implement each piece
8 
93. **Review, Don't Trust Blindly**
10   - Always review generated code
11   - Test before committing
12 
134. **Iterate Rapidly**
14   - Quick feedback loops
15   - "Make it work, make it right, make it fast"

1# Good - Copilot understands context
2user_service.py       # Service for users
3auth_middleware.js    # Authentication middleware
4product_api_test.py   # Tests for product API
5 
6# Less clear
7helpers.py
8utils.js
9test_stuff.py

1# Step 1: Write clear comment describing what you need
2# Implement a rate limiter using sliding window algorithm
3# - Max 100 requests per minute per IP
4# - Use Redis for storage
5# - Return 429 status when limit exceeded
6
7# Step 2: Let Copilot generate
8# Step 3: Review and refine

1**Template:**
2Implement [FEATURE_NAME] for [CONTEXT]:
3- Requirements: [LIST]
4- Input: [DESCRIPTION]
5- Output: [DESCRIPTION]
6- Edge cases: [LIST]
7- Error handling: [EXPECTATIONS]
8 
9**Example:**
10Implement user registration for a Flask app:
11- Requirements: email, password, name fields
12- Input: JSON body with user data
13- Output: Created user object with JWT token
14- Edge cases: duplicate email, invalid format
15- Error handling: Return 400 with specific messages

1**Template:**
2Fix the bug in [FILE/FUNCTION]:
3- Current behavior: [WHAT_HAPPENS]
4- Expected behavior: [WHAT_SHOULD_HAPPEN]
5- Steps to reproduce: [STEPS]
6- Error message: [IF_ANY]
7 
8**Example:**
9Fix the bug in calculateTotal():
10- Current behavior: Returns NaN for empty cart
11- Expected behavior: Return 0 for empty cart
12- Steps: Create cart, don't add items, call calculateTotal()

1**Template:**
2Review this code for:
31. Security vulnerabilities
42. Performance issues
53. Best practices violations
64. Edge cases not handled
7 
8Format response as:
9🔴 Critical: [MUST FIX]
10🟡 Warning: [SHOULD FIX]
11🟢 Suggestion: [NICE TO HAVE]

1**Template:**
2Refactor [CODE] to:
3- Apply [PATTERN/PRINCIPLE]
4- Improve [ASPECT: readability/performance/testability]
5- Maintain backward compatibility: [YES/NO]
6- Add tests: [YES/NO]

1**Template:**
2Generate tests for [FUNCTION/CLASS]:
3- Test framework: [pytest/jest/etc]
4- Coverage: [unit/integration/e2e]
5- Include: happy path, edge cases, error cases
6- Mock: [LIST_DEPENDENCIES]

1# 1. Vague prompts
2"Make this better"
3"Fix the bug"
4"Add feature"
5
6# 2. Accepting without review
7# Just press Tab on everything
8
9# 3. Overcomplicating prompts
10"Write a function that implements the observer pattern
11with dependency injection using a factory method
12that also handles async operations with proper
13error boundaries and retry logic with exponential
14backoff and circuit breaker pattern..."
15
16# 4. Ignoring context
17# Not using @workspace when needed
18# Not providing relevant files
19
20# 5. Fighting Copilot
21# Manually editing when regenerating would be faster

1# 1. Specific prompts
2"Add email validation using regex, return boolean"
3"Fix NullPointerException on line 45"
4"Add pagination to GET /users endpoint"
5
6# 2. Review before accepting
7# Read the code, understand it, test it
8
9# 3. Break down complex requests
10"First, create the data model"
11"Next, add the API endpoint"
12"Finally, write the tests"
13
14# 4. Leverage context
15"@workspace how does auth work in this project?"
16
17# 5. Iterate with Copilot
18"Good, but also add input validation"
19"Make this async"
20"Add error handling"

1# Use type hints - better suggestions
2def process_order(order: Order, user: User) -> Receipt:
3    # Copilot understands types
4    
5# Use docstrings
6def calculate_tax(amount: float, rate: float) -> float:
7    """
8    Calculate tax amount.
9    
10    Args:
11        amount: Base amount
12        rate: Tax rate (0.1 = 10%)
13    
14    Returns:
15        Tax amount
16    """
17    # Copilot generates implementation

1// TypeScript interfaces help Copilot
2interface User {
3  id: string;
4  name: string;
5  email: string;
6  role: 'admin' | 'user';
7}
8
9// JSDoc for JavaScript
10/**
11 * @param {string} userId
12 * @returns {Promise<User>}
13 */
14async function getUser(userId) {
15  // Better suggestions
16}

1// Props interface = better component suggestions
2interface ButtonProps {
3  variant: 'primary' | 'secondary';
4  size: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
5  onClick: () => void;
6  children: React.ReactNode;
7}
8
9// Component with clear props
10function Button({ variant, size, onClick, children }: ButtonProps) {
11  // Copilot knows what to generate
12}

1## PR Review Checklist with Copilot
2 
3### Before Reviewing
41. Read PR description
52. Understand the feature/fix
6 
7### Review Process
81. Use `/explain` on complex changes
92. Ask about potential issues
103. Request security review
114. Check test coverage
12 
13### Feedback Format
14- Use Copilot to suggest improvements
15- Reference docs/patterns when needed

1## Copilot as Pair Partner
2 
3Driver (You):
4- Define what to build
5- Review suggestions
6- Make decisions
7 
8Navigator (Copilot):
9- Generate code
10- Suggest alternatives
11- Explain approaches

1## Using Copilot for Onboarding
2 
31. **Understanding Codebase**
4   @workspace explain the architecture of this project
5 
62. **Finding Examples**
7   @workspace show me examples of API endpoints
8 
93. **Learning Patterns**
10   @workspace what patterns does this project use?
11 
124. **Running Project**
13   @workspace how do I set up and run this project?

1## Keep Learning
2 
3📚 Documentation
4- https://docs.github.com/copilot
5 
6📺 YouTube
7- GitHub channel
8- VS Code channel
9 
10🐦 Twitter/X
11- @GitHubCopilot
12- @code
13 
14💬 Community
15- GitHub Discussions
16- VS Code Discord

1## Weekly Copilot Metrics
2 
3### Quantitative
4- Lines of code assisted: ___
5- Suggestions accepted: ___%
6- Time saved (estimate): ___ hours
7 
8### Qualitative
9- Most helpful feature this week: ___
10- Challenge overcome with Copilot: ___
11- New technique learned: ___
12 
13### Goals for Next Week
14- Try: ___
15- Improve: ___

1## Basics
2- [ ] Efficient use of autocomplete
3- [ ] Comfortable with inline chat
4- [ ] Know all important shortcuts
5 
6## Intermediate
7- [ ] Effective prompt engineering
8- [ ] Using @workspace context
9- [ ] Code review with Copilot
10 
11## Advanced
12- [ ] Agent mode for complex tasks
13- [ ] TDD with generated tests
14- [ ] Refactoring workflows
15 
16## Expert
17- [ ] Custom prompt templates
18- [ ] Team workflow integration
19- [ ] Teaching others

11. **Practice Daily**
2   - Use Copilot for all coding tasks
3   - Experiment with new features
4 
52. **Build Projects**
6   - Apply skills to real projects
7   - Challenge yourself
8 
93. **Share Knowledge**
10   - Help others learn
11   - Share tips and tricks
12 
134. **Stay Updated**
14   - Follow GitHub Copilot news
15   - Try new features as released