How to copy the response form GitHub Copilot in VS Code?

by

Summary

The user is asking how to copy the response from GitHub Copilot in VS Code while preserving the Markdown formatting. The core issue is that GitHub Copilot in VS Code lacks a dedicated “copy” button like Cursor, making it non-trivial to extract the full response without losing formatting.

Root Cause

  • GitHub Copilot’s UI Design: Unlike Cursor, GitHub Copilot in VS Code does not provide a one-click copy button for its suggestions. This is a deliberate design choice by Microsoft to encourage users to accept and edit code directly within the editor.
  • VS Code’s Clipboard Limitations: VS Code’s standard clipboard operations (e.g., Ctrl+C) may not preserve Markdown formatting when copying from the Copilot suggestion pane, as the pane is not a standard text editor.
  • Absence of Built-in Export Features: GitHub Copilot lacks native export or copy utilities for its responses, forcing users to rely on manual workarounds.

Why This Happens in Real Systems

  • Developer Workflow Constraints: In real-world systems, tools like Copilot are integrated into IDEs to streamline coding, but features like copy/export are often deprioritized to avoid cluttering the UI or complicating the user experience.
  • Markdown Rendering vs. Raw Text: Copilot renders suggestions with Markdown formatting (e.g., code blocks, bold text), but the underlying clipboard data may not retain this structure, leading to formatting loss when pasted elsewhere.
  • Version and Configuration Differences: User-specific setups (e.g., VS Code extensions, Copilot versions) can affect clipboard behavior, causing inconsistent experiences across environments.

Real-World Impact

  • Productivity Loss: Users waste time manually reformatting copied content, especially when dealing with large, complex responses containing code snippets and documentation.
  • Collaboration Barriers: Teams sharing Copilot responses (e.g., in Slack or email) often receive flattened text, losing readability and context.
  • Frustration with Tooling Gaps: This limitation discourages power users from adopting Copilot for tasks requiring frequent response sharing, reducing tool adoption rates.

Example or Code

No executable code is required for this query, as it pertains to UI workflow and tool usage rather than programmable solutions. Instead, consider this practical workaround using VS Code’s built-in features.

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers address this by leveraging VS Code’s native capabilities and system-level tools to reliably copy Copilot responses with formatting preserved:

  • Use the Integrated Terminal to pipe Copilot output via extensions or scripts, but since Copilot doesn’t output directly to the terminal, focus on UI-based methods.
  • Accept the Suggestion: Press Tab or Enter to accept the Copilot suggestion into a temporary file (e.g., a new untitled document), then copy from there using Ctrl+A and Ctrl+C, which preserves Markdown formatting in the editor.
  • Employ Extensions: Install and configure VS Code extensions like “Copy as Markdown” or “Enhanced Copy” that enhance clipboard functionality for formatted text.
  • Leverage Browser Developer Tools: If Copilot responses are displayed in a web view (e.g., via GitHub’s web interface), use browser dev tools (F12) to inspect and copy the raw HTML/Markdown content.
  • Scripted Automation: For frequent use, create a simple VS Code snippet or macro using the “Macros” extension to automate acceptance and copying.

Why Juniors Miss It

  • Lack of IDE Knowledge: Junior developers may not be familiar with VS Code’s deep features, such as accepting suggestions into files or using extensions, and default to basic copy-paste which strips formatting.
  • Assumption of UI Features: They often expect a “copy button” similar to other tools (e.g., Cursor or web UIs), overlooking that Copilot’s integration is minimalistic and editor-focused.
  • Ignoring Workarounds: Juniors might not explore community solutions or extensions, sticking to obvious but ineffective methods like dragging selections, which can fail with formatted content.
  • Overlooking System Tools: Without experience in debugging UI issues, they may not think to use browser dev tools for web-based Copilot instances or terminal tricks for local setups.