VS Code Copilot Integration Issues

[HatmanStack]

Select Topic Area

General

Body

Core Problems:

Context loss when window is detached - A change that happened recently
Unnecessarily complex solutions
Over-engineered responses with excessive abstraction
Inconsistent quality compared to browser interfaces
Poor debugging assistance

Direct API Alternatives Perform MUCH Better:

OpenAI's ChatGPT: clearer, more direct responses
Claude's web interface: cleaner solutions that better match requirements
Both maintain better context and responsiveness to feedback

Something doesn't smell right here. What are next steps.

[Aman3899]

It sounds like you're experiencing context loss, overly complex responses, inconsistent quality, and poor debugging assistance with VS Code's GitHub Copilot. Given that OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude perform better for your use case, here are some next steps to troubleshoot and improve your Copilot experience.

---

1. Check for Copilot Updates and Known Issues

• Open VS Code, go to Extensions, search for GitHub Copilot, and check for updates.
• Review GitHub Copilot issues on GitHub to see if others are reporting similar problems: [GitHub Copilot Discussions](https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/categories/copilot).

---

2. Reset Copilot's Context Behavior

If Copilot loses context when a window is detached, it may be due to session resets. Try the following:

1. Open the Command Palette in VS Code (Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac).
2. Type "Copilot: Reset Copilot Chat" and select it.

This forces Copilot to refresh its session and may help maintain context.

---

3. Adjust Copilot’s Response Complexity

If Copilot is generating solutions that are overly complex or abstract, you can adjust its behavior:

1. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P).
2. Search for "GitHub Copilot: Open Settings".
3. Look for settings like "Inline Suggestion Provider" and "Solution Simplification" (if available).
4. Try enabling or disabling options like Verbose Mode or Ghost Text to see if they improve the quality of suggestions.

---

4. Use Copilot Chat for Debugging Assistance

If Copilot is not providing useful debugging help:

• Instead of relying on inline suggestions, try using GitHub Copilot Chat by invoking it directly in chat mode.
• Copilot sometimes misinterprets debugging context, and using the chat feature allows for clearer interaction.

---

5. Try Copilot Labs for Alternative Suggestions

• Copilot Labs offers features that explain code and generate alternative implementations.
• If Copilot’s responses feel too abstract, using Copilot Labs can help produce simpler, more practical solutions.

---

6. Consider Alternative VS Code Extensions

If Copilot is not meeting your expectations, you may want to test third-party AI tools:

• ChatGPT for VS Code: [OpenAI Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Gencay.vscode-chatgpt)
• Cursor AI: Provides better inline suggestions and refactoring tools. Available at [Cursor.sh](https://www.cursor.sh/).