How Github Copilot transformed our developer workflow

Putting AI to the test

In February 2024, our dev team took Github Copilot for a serious test drive. As an innovation-driven company, we believe in AI and its potential, but we also know that tools must be chosen and used wisely. So, we launched a one-month pilot project to see if Copilot could truly boost efficiency. Nearly a year later, it's now a staple in every Osedean developer’s workflow. Here’s what we learned—and why you might want to add AI to your toolkit.

The setup

We gave Github Copilot access to three dev teams working on a range of projects—from enterprise solutions to AI development and POCs. Their tasks spanned coding, architecture, and infrastructure. After a month of hands-on use, each team shared insights at our Friday lunch and learn. Here’s what stood out.

What we loved

• Seamless IDE integration – Our devs use VSCode, and Copilot’s integration felt natural. The inline chat and shortcuts made AI-assisted coding faster and smoother.
• Smart autocompletion – Copilot suggests meaningful variable names, boilerplate code, error handling, and even docstrings. Bonus: it’s excellent for regex patterns and translations.
• AI as a coding companion – Whether debugging, formatting data, or prototyping UI, Copilot proved to be a reliable helper. It shines at repetitive tasks and can even explain simpler code snippets—great for devs learning a new language or framework.

The challenges

• SOC2 compliance – Only guaranteed for Github Business and Enterprise.
• Slow response time – Copilot is useful but sometimes lags, especially compared to ChatGPT.
• Hallucinations & limited depth – It occasionally invents functions, files, and libraries. More complex scripts and optimizations? Still very hit-or-miss.
• Test writing limitations – Copilot can assist with tests when given context but struggles to set up test suites or perform cross-file testing.
• Typing issues – While it does type in Python and TypeScript, accuracy is inconsistent.

Final thoughts

Github Copilot is a powerful tool—but it needs a human co-pilot. It boosts productivity by handling repetitive tasks like docstrings, logging, and simple functions. But developers must stay critical—Copilot provides templates, not final solutions. Reviewing, debugging, and understanding code remain essential.

For junior devs, this is especially crucial. Over-reliance on AI can lead to knowledge gaps. Copilot should be an enhancement, not a crutch.

The verdict

When used correctly, Github Copilot is a game-changer for efficiency and productivity. At Osedea, we embrace AI to work smarter—not harder.

Bonus: Quick start guide for Github Copilot (VSCode)

Summon Copilot: Ctrl + i (highlight relevant code if needed)

Handy shortcuts:

• /explain – Break down the code.
• /doc – Generate documentation.
• /tests – Create test cases.
• /fix – Debug the code.

Want to elevate your coding game? AI might just be your next best teammate.