---
title: Get Started
titleSuffix: GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio
description: Learn how to get started using GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.reviewer: erinstellato
ms.date: 04/14/2026
ms.service: sql-server-management-studio
ms.topic: how-to
ms.collection:
  - ce-skilling-ai-copilot
ms.update-cycle: 180-days
# CustomerIntent: As a database administrator or database developer, I want to understand how to get started with GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio.
---
# Get started with GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio

GitHub Copilot is an AI assistant in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

GitHub Copilot helps you write Transact-SQL (T-SQL) faster and more accurately by suggesting queries, edits, answers, and administrator tasks directly in your SSMS environment.

In this article, you learn how to use GitHub Copilot and make the most of its features in SSMS.

## Open GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot requires [!INCLUDE [ssms-22-md](../includes/ssms-22-md.md)] or a later version. Update to the latest version of SSMS to access the latest updates and features.

1. Open SSMS and connect to a server or database in the query editor window.

1. Select the **GitHub Copilot** badge in the upper right corner of SSMS, and select **Open Chat Window to Sign In**.

   :::image type="content" source="media/sign-in.png" alt-text="Screenshot of GitHub Copilot badge options.":::

1. If GitHub Copilot isn't installed, select **Install Copilot** from the **GitHub Copilot** badge, or open the Visual Studio Installer and modify your SSMS installation to add the **AI Assistance** workload. For more information, see [Install GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio](installation-state.md).

1. In the Chat window, sign in with your existing GitHub account or select **Sign up for Copilot Free**. Follow the prompts in your browser to complete the sign-in or sign-up process.

1. Once the process is complete, return to SSMS to start using Copilot.

## Use GitHub Copilot

After you sign in, use the Chat window to interact with your database using natural language. You can ask general questions about SQL, questions specific to a database, or get assistance writing or editing T-SQL.

- **Chat**: Use the Chat window or inline chat to ask questions about your database, get T-SQL help, and generate code. For more information, see [Use the GitHub Copilot Chat experience in SQL Server Management Studio](chat.md).

- **Code Completions**: As you write T-SQL, Copilot provides suggestions directly in the editor. Copilot suggests both new code (shown as gray text) and edits to existing code. For more information, see [Use Code Completions in SQL Server Management Studio](code-completions.md).

- **Next Edit Suggestions**: Copilot anticipates your next edit based on recent changes and suggests revisions in context. For more information, see [Use Next Edit Suggestions in SQL Server Management Studio](next-edit-suggestions.md).

- **Database instructions**: Store business rules and context directly in your database so Copilot can generate more accurate responses. For more information, see [Use database instructions with GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio](database-instructions.md).

To review Copilot features at any time, select **GitHub Copilot Walkthrough** from the GitHub Copilot badge in the upper right corner of SSMS.

## Support

Support for GitHub Copilot Chat is provided by [GitHub](https://support.github.com).

To learn more about Copilot's security, privacy, compliance, and transparency, see the [GitHub Copilot Trust Center FAQ](https://copilot.github.trust.page/faq) and [Responsible use of GitHub Copilot features](https://docs.github.com/copilot/responsible-use).

## Related content

- [Use GitHub Copilot for free in SQL Server Management Studio](free-plan.md)
- [Troubleshoot GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio](troubleshoot.md)