Randy Pagels demonstrates how developers can leverage GitHub Copilot’s multi-file context to understand, connect, and refactor code spanning controllers, models, and tests.

Work Smarter Across Multiple Files with GitHub Copilot

Posted by Randy Pagels on Aug 22, 2025

Overview

When bugs or new features involve several parts of a codebase—like controllers, models, and tests—tracking relationships and changes manually can be a headache. GitHub Copilot’s multi-file context makes it much easier by analyzing multiple files at once to provide more complete, relevant suggestions.

Why Multi-File Context Matters

  • Connects the Dots: Copilot can reason about how different files interact, helping you keep logic consistent.
  • Reduces Context Switching: No more shuffling or copy-pasting between files to understand connections.
  • Boosts Accuracy: Suggestions are informed by all relevant code, not just the open file.

How to Leverage Multi-File Context

1️⃣ Copilot Chat: Cross-File Help

Use Copilot Chat to ask:

# How does data flow from the API route in routes/user.js to the database model in models/user.js?

Copilot will reference both files, explaining the flow and their connections.

2️⃣ Edit Mode: Refactor Across Files

When you update code in one file, prompt Copilot to check for consistency elsewhere:

# Update this method so it stays consistent with changes in services/userService.js

Copilot updates your code and ensures related files are in sync.

3️⃣ Agent Mode: Big-Picture Summaries

Request a high-level overview of complex code logic:

  • “Summarize how authentication works across this repo, including middleware, routes, and tests.”

Copilot Agent Mode can generate summaries integrating logic from multiple files.

Extra Prompts to Try

  • Show where a function is called across the project
  • Summarize all tests that validate a specific process (e.g., login)
  • Find inconsistencies between API responses and frontend usage

Key Takeaway

GitHub Copilot’s multi-file context empowers you to work smarter—linking, updating, and understanding code across your whole project, not just a single file.

This post appeared first on “Randy Pagels’s Blog”. Read the entire article here