In this post, Randy Pagels introduces GitHub Copilot Quick Chat—a feature designed to deliver AI-powered coding support instantly and inline, ensuring developers get help without losing focus.

Quick Chat: Your Instant AI Sidekick

By Randy Pagels
Posted on May 30, 2025

Need help on the spot without losing your workflow? GitHub Copilot Quick Chat provides a fast, lightweight way to get inline suggestions, explanations, and answers directly in your development environment. Whether you’re troubleshooting an error, deciphering a tricky function, or looking to optimize your code, Quick Chat acts as an instant AI partner within reach.

Why Use Quick Chat?

  • Stay in Flow: Request help without leaving your current file or switching windows.
  • AI-Powered: Receive context-aware code explanations, suggestions, and edits.
  • Speed and Simplicity: The streamlined interface is ideal for brief, targeted queries.

How to Launch GitHub Copilot Quick Chat

Follow these steps to instantly access AI support:

  1. Place your cursor on the line of code you want help with.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + L (compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac).
  3. The inline chat box appears right under your code.
  4. Type your question or request, e.g., ‘What does this function do?’.
  5. Press Enter; Copilot responds directly in your editor.

Example Prompts for Quick Chat

  • “Explain this function”
  • “Optimize this code”
  • “Add logging to this block”
  • “Write a unit test for this”

How Does Quick Chat Differ from Inline Chat?

Quick Chat is designed for just-in-time, on-the-spot interactions. Unlike full chat panels or sidebars, Quick Chat provides fast answers and suggestions without diverting your attention. Think of it as an AI assistant that responds instantly while you keep coding, offering:

  • Quick clarification on functions or errors
  • Instant code improvements
  • Lightweight interface for minimum disruption

Takeaway

GitHub Copilot Quick Chat acts as your just-in-time AI co-pilot—enhancing productivity by offering fast questions, quick code edits, and instant insights. It seamlessly integrates AI assistance where and when you need it, helping you maximize efficiency without missing a beat.

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