GitHub Copilot app for beginners: using the diff, terminal, and browser
GitHub shows how the GitHub Copilot app’s built-in diff, terminal, and browser panels help you review and validate AI agent-made changes without constantly switching tools, so you can keep a tighter loop before accepting code updates.
Overview
This episode in the beginner series focuses on the GitHub Copilot app’s built-in panels that support reviewing changes produced by an AI agent.
Why built-in panels matter
When an AI agent makes changes, validating them often requires moving between:
- An editor (to inspect code)
- A terminal (to run commands/tests)
- A browser (to preview a web app)
The video explains how the Copilot app keeps these steps in one place to speed up review and reduce context switching.
Using the diff panel to review changes
GitHub demonstrates using the diff panel to:
- View what the agent changed
- Review modifications before accepting them
Running commands in the terminal panel
GitHub demonstrates running commands directly in the terminal panel, including:
- Executing terminal commands as part of the review loop
- Setting up run scripts for a server
Using the browser panel to preview web apps
GitHub demonstrates using the browser panel to:
- Preview a web application side by side with the code and terminal
- Use a “pick & polish” workflow while reviewing changes
Keeping a tight review loop for AI-generated code
The video emphasizes a tight loop for reviewing AI-generated changes by keeping diffs, command execution, and app preview together.
Questions to ask before accepting agent-made changes
GitHub closes with guidance on asking three questions before accepting changes from an AI agent.