If you’ve ever thought about how software programmers will be coding in 2025 and later when AI takes over, the future of programming is here – VS Code and GitHub Copilot. Consider an AI-assistive programmed coding environment that predicts your next line of code and suggests a more efficient way to complete it and, even faster, brainstorms your ideas into a working technical project.
Whether you’re writing your first few lines of code or writing enterprise code as an experienced developer, productivity and efficiency have never been more important than they are today.
AI and automation have found their place in nearly every developer’s workflow, and tools like VS Code and Copilot are changing how we write, debug and improve code.
1. What is VS Code
The code editor Visual Studio Code (VS Code) was developed by Microsoft, and it is free and open-source. VS Code is extremely fast, simple to use, and versatile, which is why it has become one of the most convenient code editors for developers globally.
You can write code quickly in many programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, and others. It is a very powerful and lightweight code editor, making it great for new programmers and very experienced ones.
In Simple Terms
VS Code is an all-in-one integrated workspace for coding, debugging, version control, and customizing all in one. You can install hundreds of extensions to increase your workflow and make coding easier and faster.
Key Features of VS Code
Why VS Code Remains the Best in 2025
- VS Code continues to dominate in 2025 because it integrates perfectly with AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, and CodeGPT.
- It’s free, cross-platform (works on Windows, macOS, and Linux), and completely customisable—making it an essential tool for every modern developer.
2. GitHub Copilot – Your AI Coding Assistant
GitHub Copilot, developed by GitHub and OpenAI, acts as an AI-powered coding buddy that is built right into VS Code.
Think of it as your digital co-developer, suggesting whole lines, functions, and possibly even blocks of logic as you write.
How Copilot Works
Copilot employs machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to understand the context of your code.
It reads your project, comments and conventions and displays code snippets for you to preview in real time that are highly relevant to the task at hand. You can think of it as if you have an experienced programmer sitting next to you as you write your code.
Core Features of GitHub Copilot
- Fast Coding: Auto-completes boilerplate or repetitive code instantly.
- Multi-Language Support: Works across Python, JavaScript, Java, TypeScript, and more.
- Smart Suggestions: Predicts entire functions from your comments.
- Context Awareness: Understands your project and gives relevant code ideas.
- Error Reduction: Helps avoid syntax and logic errors while coding.
Real-World Uses
- Generate boilerplate code for APIs and forms and configuration or layout.
- Generate unit tests and documentation on the fly.
- Discover and review bugs or optimization recommendations in real-time.
How to Set Up GitHub Copilot in VS Code
- Open VS Code and navigate to the Extension Marketplace.
- Search for “GitHub Copilot” and click Install.
- Log in through your GitHub account.
- Type code, and Copilot will automatically begin suggesting the code on the fly.
Pro Tip: Using Copilot + Tabnine + IntelliCode will give you the ultimate setup of AI in VS Code. Even just using Copilot + Tabnine + IntelliCode could increase your code writing speed by up to 3x.
3. Trending AI-Powered VS Code Extensions (2025)
The year 2025 is nearly here, and it will be the year of developer AI enrichment! Here are the essential AI extensions for developers in 2025:
IntelliCode
IntelliCode is an extension for Visual Studio Code utilizing an artificial intelligence system to understand the context of your code and produce intelligent suggestions. IntelliCode also insures quick and efficient code completions that greatly enhance the coding experience. To install IntelliCode, simply search for IntelliCode in the Visual Studio Code extensions and download it from there. IntelliCode supports languages such as Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript. Benefits of the IntelliCode should lead to enhanced.
Tabnine
Tabnine is an artificial intelligence-based extension for Visual Studio Code that delivers intelligent code completions, significantly increasing coding speed while preserving accuracy. To install it, you need to look for it from the Extensions panel within VS Code. It works with 30 different programming languages to facilitate code writing, coding debugging, and document generation. Tabnine intends to enhance productivity, decrease redundancy, and reduce coding errors.
CodeGPT
The CodeGPT extension for VS Code will assist you in writing, explaining, fixing bugs, refactoring, and providing code snippets. You can install Code GPT for VS Code by searching for “CodeGPT” in the VS Code extensions. After installing CodeGPT, you’ll want to activate the extension and the API key. CodeGPT increases your productivity because you can code and fix bugs quickly. It will help you in many languages, too.
4. recommended (Non-AI) VS Code Extensions
While AI is revolutionising development, some traditional extensions are still must-haves for cleaner and more efficient coding.
- Prettier: Automatically formats your code for a consistent look.
- ESLint: Detects and corrects JavaScript and TypeScript issues.
- Live Server: Instantly preview your web pages without manual reloads.
- Bracket Pair Colorizer: Highlights matching brackets with colors for better readability.
- Path Intellisense: Suggests file paths as you type.
- GitLens: Displays version history, author info, and commits—perfect for collaboration.
5. Real Example – Building a Web Project
Let’s imagine you’re building a JavaScript-based web application:
- GitHub Copilot writes the boilerplate API code.
- Tabnine predicts and completes helper functions.
- Prettier keeps the formatting clean.
- Live Server shows your updates instantly in the browser.
- GitLens tracks every version change.
Result: Your project is built 3x faster, cleaner to maintain, and runs more efficiently in production.
6. Tips to Maximize Productivity in 2025
- Combine Copilot + IntelliCode + Tabnine for the smartest AI workflow.
- Use Prettier + ESLint for perfectly formatted, error-free code.
- Use Live Server for quick front-end testing.
- Manage your project’s history with GitLens.
- Create custom code snippets for repetitive tasks.
7. Why AI Tools Are Crucial in 2025
AI tools are no longer optional—they’re essential for developers who want to stay ahead.
- Reduce human errors and optimize performance.
- Speed up development without sacrificing quality.
- Help beginners learn best practices with smart suggestions.
- Improve team collaboration with real-time assistance.
AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Tabnine are bridging the gap between manual coding and intelligent automation, giving developers more time to focus on creativity and logic.
8. Conclusion
By 2025, VS Code and GitHub Copilot will have been central to current coding practice.
Together, they are reshaping and advancing the way developers write code, allowing developers to write code with more speed, cleanliness, and creativeness.
Extensions like Prettier, ESLint, Live Server, and GitLens can enhance your stack and ultimately foster greater productivity and quality.
If you’re ready to code smarter in 2025, give VS Code and GitHub Copilot a try, and see how you can build great AI driven development for the future.
