QDK Tutorial: Learn Quantum Computing with GitHub Copilot in VS Code

Mine Starks demonstrates the Quantum Development Kit (QDK) learning experience in VS Code, showing how guided lessons and hands-on Q# exercises are paired with GitHub Copilot assistance to help developers learn quantum computing fundamentals and progress into algorithms like Grover’s and Shor’s.

Overview

In this demo, Mine Starks (Principal Quantum Software Engineer at Microsoft) walks through learning quantum computing from inside Visual Studio Code using the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK) and Q#.

The video highlights how the QDK learning experience combines:

• Guided lessons (starting from linear algebra fundamentals)
• Hands-on coding exercises in Q#
• AI-powered assistance via GitHub Copilot to support learning and completing exercises

Topics covered

• Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK)
• Q# programming in VS Code
• Setup and configuration in VS Code
• Learning flow from fundamentals (linear algebra) to core concepts (qubits, quantum gates)
• Working through lessons such as “Flip a Qubit”
• Exploring quantum algorithms, including:
  • Grover’s search algorithm
  • Shor’s algorithm

Video chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Quantum Development Kit
• 0:16 Introduction to the QDK Learning Experience
• 0:39 Setup and Configuration in VS Code
• 1:25 Start Learning
• 2:18 First Lesson - Flip a Qubit
• 2:50 QDK Learning Agent
• 3:20 Learning Grover's Search Algorithm
• 4:30 Conclusion

Links

• Microsoft Quantum: https://quantum.microsoft.com/
• Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK) docs: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/quantum/
• Microsoft Quantum blog posts: https://quantum.microsoft.com/en-us/insights/blogs