GitHub's AI Coding Chatbot is now available for all individuals. Here’s its subscription cost

GitHub, a Microsoft-owned platform for developers, is expanding its AI-powered coding chatbot, Copilot Chat, to individual users. Previously launched in public beta for business users in July 2023, this innovative tool is now accessible to individual users of GitHub Copilot within Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code. The individual subscription for Copilot costs $10 per month, and Copilot Chat is included at no extra cost with this subscription.

NEWS: GitHub Copilot Chat is now available free in public beta as part of your GitHub Copilot for individuals subscription. https://t.co/3edcSIMhpL

— GitHub (@github) September 20, 2023

Copilot Chat functions within the IDE's (integrated development environment) sidebar, similar to other chatbots. Developers can use it for discussions related to coding in a general context, but what sets it apart is its ability to provide guidance and support specific to the code they are actively working on in the IDE.

GitHub Copilot Chat: What are the key applications?

Real-time guidance: GitHub Copilot Chat provides instant recommendations, best practices, and tailored solutions to tackle coding challenges. It's a valuable tool for learning new languages and upskilling rapidly.

Code analysis: Break down complex concepts and receive clear explanations of code snippets with GitHub Copilot Chat.

Security issue resolution: GitHub Copilot Chat offers suggestions for remedying security issues, helping to minimise vulnerabilities detected during security scans.

Effortless troubleshooting: Whether you're debugging code or encountering issues, GitHub Copilot Chat not only identifies problems but also provides helpful suggestions, detailed explanations, and alternative approaches.

Enhancing the developer experience

GitHub Copilot Chat aims to revolutionise the software development experience by allowing developers to communicate with an AI assistant in a natural language, thereby reducing the need to switch between various tools. This collaborative approach empowers teams and individuals alike to learn new programming languages, troubleshoot issues, and seek assistance on coding tasks effortlessly.

A unified programming language

Shuyin Zhao, VP of Product Management at GitHub, envisions Copilot Chat as a pivotal component in software development, declaring it to be a catalyst for natural language as a new universal programming language. This transformative concept seeks to simplify and democratise software development, minimising the time developers spend on repetitive tasks and enabling them to code at the speed of their thoughts.