Opening Copilot Chat in Visual Studio

GitHub Copilot Chat opens in Visual Studio through the Chat window, which you can launch from the menu bar or with a keyboard shortcut. The fastest route is Alt + \ on Windows or Option + \ on Mac — this opens the Chat panel on the right side of your editor. If the shortcut does not work, go to View > Chat Window in the menu bar instead.

The Chat window appears as a sidebar on the right. Once it opens, you can start typing questions or code requests directly into the text box at the bottom. Copilot Chat requires that you have GitHub Copilot installed as an extension in Visual Studio and that you are signed in with a GitHub account that has an active Copilot subscription.

If you do not see the Chat Window option in the View menu, you may need to install or update the GitHub Copilot extension first. Open Extensions > Manage Extensions, search for "GitHub Copilot", and install or update it from there.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Alt + \ (Windows) or Option + \ (Mac) to open the Chat window instantly.
  • If the shortcut does not work, use View > Chat Window from the menu bar.
  • You need GitHub Copilot installed as an extension and an active Copilot subscription to use Chat.
  • The Chat panel appears on the right side of your editor and stays open until you close it.

What You Need Before Opening Chat

GitHub Copilot Chat requires three things: Visual Studio 2022 version 17.8 or later, the GitHub Copilot extension installed, and a GitHub account with an active Copilot subscription. If you have an older version of Visual Studio, you will need to update it first.

To check your Visual Studio version, go to Help > About Microsoft Visual Studio. If you are running version 17.7 or earlier, download the latest version from the Visual Studio website. The update is free if you already have Visual Studio installed.

If you have not installed GitHub Copilot yet, open Extensions > Manage Extensions, search for "GitHub Copilot", and click Download. Visual Studio will install it the next time you restart the application. After restart, you will be prompted to sign in with your GitHub account.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

The keyboard shortcut Alt + \ (Windows) or Option + \ (Mac) is the quickest way to open Chat. Press it once and the Chat window slides open on the right side of your editor. Press it again to close the window. This shortcut works from anywhere in Visual Studio — you do not need to have a file open or be in a specific view.

If the shortcut does not respond, it may be because another extension or application is using the same key combination. You can change the shortcut by going to Tools > Options > Environment > Keyboard, searching for "Chat.OpenChat", and assigning a different key combination.

Opening Chat Through the Menu

If you prefer using the menu, go to View > Chat Window. This opens the Chat panel in the same location as the keyboard shortcut. The menu route takes a few more clicks but works the same way and is useful if you have remapped the keyboard shortcut or prefer not to use one.

Once the Chat window is open, you can keep it visible while you work, or close it by clicking the X button in the top right corner of the panel. The window remembers your conversation history during your current session, so closing and reopening it will show the same messages you sent earlier.

What Happens After You Open Chat

When the Chat window opens, you see a text input box at the bottom and a blank conversation area above it. Type your question or code request into the input box and press Enter. Copilot Chat will respond with an answer, code suggestions, or explanations depending on what you asked.

You can ask Chat to explain code in your editor, generate new code, fix bugs, write tests, or answer questions about programming concepts. If you have code selected in your editor, Chat can see it and reference it in your conversation. This is useful when you want Chat to explain a specific function or suggest improvements to a particular block of code.

Chat keeps a history of your conversation in the panel. You can scroll up to see earlier messages, and you can start a new conversation by clicking the New Chat button (usually shown as a plus icon or new conversation option at the top of the Chat window).

Troubleshooting If Chat Does Not Open

If the Chat window does not appear when you press the keyboard shortcut or use the menu, first check that GitHub Copilot is installed. Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions and search for "GitHub Copilot". If it is not listed, download and install it, then restart Visual Studio.

If GitHub Copilot is installed but Chat still does not open, make sure you are signed in to your GitHub account. Look for a GitHub icon or account indicator in the top right corner of Visual Studio. Click it and sign in if you are not already logged in. You will need an account with an active Copilot subscription.

If you are signed in and Chat still does not work, try restarting Visual Studio. Close the application completely and open it again. If the problem persists, check that you are running Visual Studio 2022 version 17.8 or later by going to Help > About Microsoft Visual Studio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Copilot Chat if I do not have a paid subscription?

No, GitHub Copilot Chat requires an active Copilot subscription. You can sign up for a subscription on GitHub's website, and it includes a free trial period. After the trial ends, you will need to pay a monthly fee to continue using Chat and other Copilot features.

Does the Chat window stay open when I switch files?

Yes, the Chat window stays open and visible as you work on different files. You can keep it open the entire time you are coding and refer back to previous conversations. The conversation history remains visible until you close the window or start a new chat.

Can Copilot Chat see the code I have selected in my editor?

Yes, if you select a block of code in your editor and then ask a question in Chat, Copilot can see and reference that code. This is useful for asking Chat to explain a specific function, suggest improvements, or generate related code based on what you have selected.

What if the keyboard shortcut conflicts with another application?

You can change the shortcut in Visual Studio. Go to Tools > Options > Environment > Keyboard, search for "Chat.OpenChat", and assign a different key combination that does not conflict with other applications you use.