How to open Copilot Chat in VS Code

Copilot Chat opens in VS Code through the Chat icon in the left sidebar, or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+I on Windows and Linux, or Cmd+Shift+I on Mac. The Chat panel appears on the right side of your editor. If you do not see the Chat icon in the sidebar, you need to install the GitHub Copilot Chat extension first — it does not come built in.

The Chat panel stays open while you work, so you can ask questions about your code, request explanations, or ask for help writing new functions without switching windows. You can close it by clicking the X on the Chat panel, and reopen it the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot Chat requires the GitHub Copilot Chat extension, which you install from the Extensions marketplace inside VS Code.
  • Once installed, press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+I (Mac) to open the Chat panel on the right side of your screen.
  • You can also click the Chat icon in the left sidebar — it looks like a speech bubble — to open or close the panel.
  • The Chat panel stays open while you code, so you can ask questions and get responses without leaving your editor.

Installing the GitHub Copilot Chat extension

Before you can open Copilot Chat, you need the extension installed. Open VS Code and click the Extensions icon in the left sidebar — it looks like four squares. Search for "GitHub Copilot Chat" in the search box at the top of the Extensions panel.

Click the extension when you find it, then click the Install button. VS Code will read and install it. You may see a prompt to sign in with your GitHub account — follow that prompt and complete the sign-in in your browser. Once you are signed in, the Chat icon appears in your left sidebar.

If you do not have a GitHub Copilot subscription, VS Code will tell you when you try to use Chat. A free trial is sometimes available, but most users need a paid subscription to send messages.

Opening Chat with the keyboard shortcut

The fastest way to open Copilot Chat is the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl+Shift+I if you are on Windows or Linux. If you are on Mac, press Cmd+Shift+I instead. The Chat panel slides open on the right side of your editor, and your cursor lands in the message box at the bottom.

If the shortcut does not work, check that the GitHub Copilot Chat extension is installed and that you are signed in with your GitHub account. You can also open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac), then type "Chat: Open" to find the command and run it.

Opening Chat from the sidebar icon

The Chat icon in the left sidebar looks like a speech bubble with dots inside it. Click it once to open the Chat panel. Click it again to close the panel. The icon appears below the Explorer and Search icons, usually near the middle of the sidebar.

If you do not see the Chat icon, the extension is not installed. Go back to the Extensions marketplace, search for "GitHub Copilot Chat", and install it. After installation, the icon should appear in your sidebar within a few seconds.

Positioning and resizing the Chat panel

By default, the Chat panel opens on the right side of your editor. You can drag the left edge of the panel to make it wider or narrower. If you want to move the panel to a different location, right-click the Chat icon in the sidebar and select "Move to Bottom" or another position from the menu.

You can also drag the Chat panel to a different sidebar if you have multiple sidebars open. The panel remembers your last position and size, so it opens the same way the next time you use it.

Sending your first message

Once the Chat panel is open, click in the message box at the bottom and type your question. You can ask Copilot to explain code, write a function, fix an error, or answer questions about programming. Press Enter to send the message.

Copilot reads the code in your current file and uses that context to answer your question. If you want Copilot to focus on a specific part of your code, select that code first, then open Chat — Copilot will include the selection in its context.

Troubleshooting Chat if it will not open

If the Chat panel does not open when you press the keyboard shortcut or click the icon, first check that the GitHub Copilot Chat extension is installed. Open the Extensions panel and search for "GitHub Copilot Chat" — if you see an Install button, the extension is not installed yet.

If the extension is installed but Chat still will not open, sign out and sign back in with your GitHub account. Click your profile icon in the bottom left corner of VS Code, select "Sign Out", then sign back in. If you still have trouble, restart VS Code completely — close all windows and open it again.

If you see a message that says you need a Copilot subscription, you have reached the limit of free messages or your trial has ended. You will need a paid GitHub Copilot subscription to continue using Chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need GitHub Copilot Chat if I already have GitHub Copilot?

Yes, they are separate extensions. GitHub Copilot provides code completion as you type, while Copilot Chat lets you have a conversation with Copilot in a panel. You can use one without the other, but many developers install both.

Can I use Copilot Chat without a paid subscription?

GitHub sometimes offers free trials, but most users need a paid subscription. You can check your account on github.com to see if you have an active trial or subscription.

What if the Chat keyboard shortcut conflicts with another extension?

Open the Keyboard Shortcuts panel by pressing Ctrl+K Ctrl+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K Cmd+S (Mac). Search for "Chat: Open" and click the shortcut to change it to a key combination that does not conflict with your other extensions.

Can I move the Chat panel to the left sidebar instead of the right?

Right-click the Chat icon in the sidebar and select "Move to Left Sidebar" or another position from the menu. The panel will move to your chosen location and stay there until you move it again.

Does Copilot Chat read my entire file or just the visible code?

Copilot reads the entire file you are working in, plus any code you have selected. If you want Copilot to focus on a specific section, select that code before opening Chat or sending your message.