Inline completions are Copilot's core feature — intelligent code suggestions that appear as ghost text as you type.

Triggering Great Completions

1. Comment-Driven Development

Write a descriptive comment, then let Copilot generate the code:

# Function that calculates compound interest with monthly contributions
# Parameters: principal, annual_rate, years, monthly_contribution
# Returns: final amount and total interest earned
def calculate_compound_interest(principal, annual_rate, years, monthly_contribution):
    # Copilot generates the implementation

2. Function Signature First

Type the function name and parameters — Copilot infers the body:

function validateEmail(email: string): { valid: boolean; error?: string } {
    // Copilot completes based on the signature
}

3. Pattern Recognition

Write one example, and Copilot continues the pattern:

users = [
    {"name": "Alice", "role": "admin", "email": "[email protected]"},
    # Copilot generates more realistic sample data
]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Tips for Better Completions

• Keep relevant files open in your editor — Copilot uses them as context
• Be descriptive in variable and function names
• Write clear type annotations (especially in TypeScript)
• Use the completions panel (Ctrl+Enter) to see 10+ alternatives
• Accept partial suggestions word-by-word with Ctrl+→