Take Control Over Your Copilot Edit Suggestions in Visual Studio

Visual Studio has just rolled out enhanced settings that let developers fine-tune when and how GitHub Copilot code suggestions appear—whether that's pausing suggestions while typing or triggering them only with a keystroke. This update aims to strike a better balance between helpful AI assistance and keeping your coding flow uninterrupted by unwanted distractions.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Pause suggestions while typing

    Keep your flow uninterrupted. Suggestions will only appear after you pause, so you can type freely without constant pop-ups. Simply go to Tools -> Options → IntelliCode → Advanced and turn on wait for pauses in typing before showing whole line completions.

  • Request completions only when you’re ready

    Disable automatic completions and trigger them manually with shortcuts like Alt + , or Alt + .. Perfect for developers who prefer fewer distractions.

  • Preview edit suggestions on demand

    No more auto-inserts. Review the next edit suggestion only when you click the margin indicator or press Tab. Accept with Tab or dismiss with ESC—you’re in charge.

  • Accept code in smaller pieces

    Take partial control of suggestions. Accept one word at a time with Ctrl + → or one line at a time with Ctrl + ↓, tailoring the output to your needs.