Thread by @Aivars_Meijers

ChatCPT is fun, but did you try GitHub Copilot for iOS App development?
You can save a lot of time even if Xcode does not support it natively, but you can fix it. Here is how 🧵
#ship30for30

Easy way - use VSCode with the Copilot plugin. I'm using VSCode when working on longer functions and business logic to have quick suggestions from Copilot. To compile projects or see previews, I just hit CMD+S in VSCode and switch back to Xcode.

It is possible to launch the iPhone simulator from VSCode, but I found switching back to Xcode comfortable and fast. Xcode feels handier to catch errors and debug code. If changes are made in Xcode, the VSCode editor updates them automatically.

A bit harder to configure, but an excellent way to use Copilot in Xcode without switching between IDE: CopilotForXcode project github.com/intitni/Copilo…

The installation process was smooth. We spent a bit more than an hour on one of the live streams. The hardest part was to find still available in Xcode shortcuts to set Copilot actions, but I finally got it working with help from the chat.

The third option is to use AppCode IDE for development, but after the announcement that this product is sunsetted, I can't recommend investing time and money into that anymore.

I'm using both - VSCode and CopilotForXcode. VSCode is handy when working on business logic and planning to create a bunch of functions. Rapid auto-complete is very helpful and speeds up development.

Xcode plugin helps when I'm working on UI, and I prefer to see previews and can wait a bit for every Copilot help request if I need any. It works but is much slower compared with VSCode.

Why should you give it a try to Copilot:
1) It can speed up your work quite a bit.
2) It is great to see suggestions from a virtual co-worker. You can learn something new.
Give it a try, especially if you are working alone and don't have a chance to review other developers' code.

⚠️ Do not forget to review Copilot's code. I saw quite a few dumb logic mistakes in the suggestions. Copilot has no idea about business requirements and, for sure, sooner or later, will generate errors even if the code is compilable.