How I Use GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT Together as a Frontend Developer

As a frontend developer, I'm constantly juggling between writing clean code, shipping features fast, and keeping my sanity intact. AI tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT have completely changed how I work. While each tool is powerful on its own, using them together has helped me work faster, think clearly, and code smartly.

Here’s how I personally use Copilot + ChatGPT in my daily workflow.

TL;DR: My Quick Comparison

I see Copilot as my coding sidekick inside the editor, and ChatGPT as my thinking partner outside of it.

Real Workflow: Building a React Component

Step 1: I Ask ChatGPT to Help Plan It

When I need something like a responsive navbar with Tailwind CSS, I type:

"Create a responsive navbar with logo, links, and hamburger menu using React and Tailwind."

ChatGPT usually gives me a great starting point with code, accessibility notes, and even file structure suggestions.

Step 2: I Paste That Into VS Code and Let Copilot Take Over

As I begin typing:

function Navbar() {
  return (

Copilot fills in:

<nav className="bg-white shadow-md p-4 flex justify-between items-center">
  <div className="text-xl font-bold">Logo</div>
  ...
</nav>

It handles the obvious stuff—repetitive patterns, responsive classes, even conditional rendering—while I focus on logic.

How I Use Them Together Every Day

1. Rapid Prototyping

• ChatGPT helps me quickly draft UI layouts.

• Copilot finishes JSX, props, and common logic on the fly.

2. Debugging

• When I hit an error, I paste it into ChatGPT and ask:

  "What’s wrong with this error?"

• Then I fix the bug in VS Code with Copilot suggesting inline changes.

3. Writing Tests

• I ask ChatGPT to generate tests for my React components.

• I then use Copilot to autocomplete the repetitive test setup or assertions.

4. Refactoring

• I send messy functions to ChatGPT to break them down and improve naming.

• Back in VS Code, Copilot speeds up implementing the improved version.

5. Explaining My Code

• When I want to document my code or explain it to my team, I ask ChatGPT:

  "Explain this hook and why the useEffect dependency array matters."

My Favorite Productivity Tips

Tip 1: Comment-Driven Prompts for Copilot

// Create a responsive card component with image and title

Copilot often gives me a complete JSX block instantly.

Tip 2: ChatGPT for Documentation

I paste a tricky function into ChatGPT and say:

"Write a JSDoc for this and suggest better variable names."

Tip 3: Code Reviews Get Easier

I now use GitHub Copilot to explain my PRs or generate commit messages. Copilot helps me fix minor issues before I even push.

Bonus Tools I Like

My Final Thoughts

Using both GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT hasn’t just saved me time—it’s leveled up how I think and build.

Copilot gives me instant coding speed in the editor, while ChatGPT helps me think clearly, plan ahead, and document better. Whether I’m building a component, squashing bugs, or writing docs, these two tools make the process smoother.

So if you're a frontend dev like me, give this duo a try. You might never want to code alone again. ✨