GitHub Copilot Voice
Explore GitHub Copilot Voice, now part of the VS Code Speech extension. Write, edit, and navigate code hands-free using natural language voice commands in Visual Studio Code.
About GitHub Copilot Voice
From «Hey, GitHub!» to a Powerful Speech Interface
GitHub Copilot Voice, previously known as «Hey, GitHub!», enabled developers to code using voice commands without relying on a keyboard. The project has now evolved into the VS Code Speech extension, integrating the same voice-first experience directly into Visual Studio Code.
Empowering Hands-Free Coding
Built with accessibility in mind, Copilot Voice helps users who have difficulty typing or simply prefer to use speech for coding. It allows natural conversation with your development environment, making it possible to write code by describing your intent aloud.
How GitHub Copilot Voice Worked
Natural Language Coding Support
Users could state their coding goals in plain English—like «import graph plotting library» or «plot line graph of age vs fare column”—and Copilot Voice would interpret the request and generate appropriate code. It could even handle adjustments like switching from a line graph to a scatterplot on command.
Real-Time Editing and Code Generation
Instead of manually typing and editing code, users could ask Copilot Voice to «insert a new line, ” „clean null values, ” or „drop duplicates, ” and receive intelligent suggestions. This made the development process faster and more intuitive, especially for repetitive or formulaic tasks.
Code Navigation and IDE Control
Hands-Free Codebase Navigation
Copilot Voice allowed full navigation within a codebase using commands such as «go to method X» or «go to line 34.» Users could jump between blocks of code or methods without using a mouse or keyboard.
Control VS Code with Voice Commands
It wasn't just about writing code—users could also control Visual Studio Code itself. Commands like «toggle zen mode» or «run the program» gave developers full control over their environment by speaking naturally.
Explaining Code and Enhancing Understanding
Voice-Driven Code Summarization
One of Copilot Voice’s most helpful features was its ability to explain code. When unsure about specific lines, users could ask questions like «explain lines 3 to 10» and receive a concise summary of what that section does. This helped learners and professionals alike to understand complex code more easily.
Reducing Friction in the Coding Workflow
By allowing developers to speak instead of type, Copilot Voice removed friction in the coding process. It supported a smoother, faster way to get ideas into code—especially for those who found traditional input methods challenging.
Transition to VS Code Speech Extension
From Technical Preview to Production Tool
As of April 3, 2024, the technical preview of GitHub Copilot Voice concluded. The functionality has been integrated into the VS Code Speech extension, which is now generally available. This marks the next phase of voice-first development in Visual Studio Code.
Continued Innovation and Feedback
The evolution into VS Code Speech brings all previous learnings into a robust extension that continues to grow. Users are encouraged to provide feedback to help shape its future, ensuring that voice-driven coding becomes even more powerful and accessible.