ZDNET’s key takeaways
- GitHub Copilot Professional now helps GPT-5 in VS Code.
- A 30-day trial permits you to check premium fashions totally free.
- Add your OpenAI key to bypass Copilot restriction.
GPT-5 is now out there to be used with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot in VS Code. On this article, I am going to stroll you thru the steps of establishing the linkages between VS Code, Copilot, and GPT-5. This course of may also work for many other supported large language models you wish to use.
Additionally: Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its Copilot suite – here’s where you’ll find it
Step 1: Allow GitHub Copilot Professional
You may want the Pro version of GitHub Copilot to make use of GPT-5 at the moment. The brand new mannequin may be out there for Copilot’s free tier sometime, however not but. There’s, nonetheless, a 30-day free trial. I am going to present you the right way to set that up right here:
First, open VS Code. Click on the little Copilot icon (1). That motion will open the Copilot pane. Subsequent, click on no matter mannequin is listed at (2). Mine is GPT-4.1. Lastly, click on Add Premium Fashions (3).
Additionally: I tested GPT-5’s coding skills, and it was so bad that I’m sticking with GPT-4o (for now)
It will take you to an online web page the place you may be given the chance to attempt Copilot Professional for 30 days for gratis. Click on the massive inexperienced button.
Sadly, you may have so as to add your bank card information, though it will not be charged for 30 days. To stop abuse of the 30-day restrict, Microsoft requires you to offer your private data and your bank card quantity:
As soon as you’ve got accomplished that, click on the Activate Now button:
Step 2: Allow GPT-5
You may have to restart VS Code for the Professional mode to be made out there. When you do this, click on the present mannequin (within the screenshot, it is GPT-4.1), after which scroll and select GPT-5:
You’ll then have to concern a immediate. In my Deep Research dump of my repository, I used to be instructed about some references to a product I offered just a few years in the past that had been nonetheless within the product’s code. I instructed GPT-5 to take away all such references.
That course of resulted within the Allow button displaying up. Principally, I believe you should use any immediate with GPT-5 to set off the Allow button. Then click on it:
Step 3: Carry your personal key
Through the use of the Professional account, you’re given a sure variety of occasions you should use the assorted fashions. It is unclear how that utilization restrict is calculated, so I’ve reached out to Microsoft for clarification. I am going to replace this text after I get extra information.
Additionally: How I test an AI chatbot’s coding ability – and you can, too
If you wish to bypass the attainable restrictions and fee limitations, you should use your personal API key as offered by your LLM service. You’ll be able to study extra from Microsoft’s language models page.
With ChatGPT, you will get an OpenAI Platform Key by pointing your browser here. If you happen to do not have already got an OpenAI account, you might want to offer them some bank card data as nicely. Then click on Create Key and observe the instructions:
Upon getting your key, return to Handle Fashions (by clicking the present mannequin you are utilizing and selecting Handle Fashions). Choose OpenAI:
Kind or paste in your key. Press Enter to substantiate:
Congratulations, you are now working GPT-5 in Copilot.
Have you ever used Copilot?
Have you ever tried utilizing GPT-4.1 or GPT-5 in VS Code but? What do you consider the Copilot Professional expertise up to now? Does it really feel like a worthwhile improve? Have you ever explored utilizing your API key as an alternative of counting on Microsoft’s allocation?
Additionally: The best AI for coding in 2025 (and what not to use)
What sorts of duties or prompts have you ever discovered AI notably useful for in your coding work? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
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