Workshop Overview¶
This workshop introduces GitHub Copilot through practical exercises. It works for beginner-friendly introductions as well as deeper sessions that show agentic workflows and MCP tools.
Workshop structure¶
Use the structure as a menu rather than a fixed script:
- Introduction - what Copilot is, where it fits, and how developers stay in control.
- Setup - GitHub Copilot access, VS Code, extensions, and lab prerequisites.
- Fundamentals - completions, chat, prompts, code review, and tests.
- Hands-on labs - choose labs by language, skill level, and available time.
- Agentic workflows - use Copilot with files, tools, terminal commands, and MCP servers.
Workshop formats¶
Short format¶
Use this when you have limited time:
- Introduction to Copilot and responsible usage.
- Setup verification.
- One fundamentals lab, such as HTML Image Gallery or Rock Paper Scissors.
- Group discussion on prompt quality, review, and validation.
Extended format¶
Use this when participants can spend more time building:
- Everything in the short format.
- API client lab in Python or Java.
- Agentic/MCP lab such as HTML Image Gallery with MCP or Build Your Own MCP Server.
- Wrap-up with customer use cases and adoption patterns.
Lab catalog¶
| Area | Lab | Language / tools | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals | HTML Image Gallery | HTML, CSS, JavaScript | Build and improve a small image gallery. |
| Fundamentals | Rock Paper Scissors | Python | Generate game logic and tests. |
| APIs | Star Wars API in Python | Python | Build an API client with data classes and tests. |
| APIs | Star Wars API in Java | Java, Maven | Build an API client with DTOs, interfaces, and tests. |
| Agentic / MCP | HTML Image Gallery with MCP | HTML, GitHub MCP, Playwright MCP | Use tools and an agentic workflow to create issues, implement changes, and test. |
| Agentic / MCP | Build Your Own MCP Server | Python, Java, TypeScript options | Build a weather MCP server and connect it to Copilot. |
| Agentic / MCP | Four in a Row MCP Game | Java, Spring Boot, MCP | Play and inspect a game through Copilot and a custom MCP server. |
| Extended | Other Labs | Multiple | External labs for additional languages and scenarios. |
Learning objectives¶
By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Configure and use GitHub Copilot in their development environment.
- Provide useful context and prompts.
- Choose read-only help or agentic workflows depending on the task.
- Review and validate Copilot-generated changes.
- Extend Copilot with tools such as MCP servers where appropriate.