https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/ Latest posts from CooknWithCopilot en-us Copyright 2025 Randy Pagels randy.pagels@xebia.com (Randy Pagels) randy.pagels@xebia.com (Randy Pagels) Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT Programming CooknWithCopilot Blog https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/trust-but-verify-building-confidence-in-github-copilot-output.html Trust Copilot on common patterns, verify risky decisions fast, and use quick prompts to validate edge cases and assumptions. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/trust-but-verify-building-confidence-in-github-copilot-output.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/how-to-review-github-copilots-work-like-a-senior-developer.html Review Copilot’s output for intent, assumptions, and structure first, then iterate with a feedback loop like a senior dev. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/how-to-review-github-copilots-work-like-a-senior-developer.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/when-to-lead-when-to-delegate-to-github-copilot.html Lead on judgment calls, delegate the busywork, use a feedback loop so Copilot stays fast and you stay in control. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/when-to-lead-when-to-delegate-to-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/from-tool-to-teammate.html Start collaborating with Copilot like a teammate, plan first, ask for feedback, and let it question assumptions. Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/from-tool-to-teammate.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-recap.html A holiday recap of Persona, Reflection, Refusal Breaker, and Cognitive Verifier, four prompt patterns for sharper Copilot results. Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-recap.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-cognitive-verifier-pattern.html Ask Copilot to clarify your request first so you get cleaner, more accurate answers instead of rushed code. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-cognitive-verifier-pattern.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-refusal-breaker-pattern.html When Copilot refuses, reframe the request so it can help safely instead of saying no. Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-refusal-breaker-pattern.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-reflection-pattern.html Use reflection prompts to make Copilot explain its reasoning first, then decide what to accept. Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-the-reflection-pattern.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-persona-pattern.html Guide Copilot with a clear role, switch personas to change tone and focus, and get sharper answers. Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/context-engineering-recipes-persona-pattern.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/treat-your-ai-prompts-like-code.html Keep .prompt.md and copilot-instructions.md in Git, review with PRs, and evolve prompts like code. Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/treat-your-ai-prompts-like-code.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/how-much-context-should-you-give.html Find the sweet spot for Copilot context, start focused, then expand only if needed. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/how-much-context-should-you-give.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/supercharge-your-prompts-with-prompt-md.html Store reusable prompts in .prompt.md so Copilot can load them on demand and keep your workflow consistent. Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/supercharge-your-prompts-with-prompt-md.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/guide-your-ai-with-copilot-instructions-md.html Define project rules once in copilot-instructions.md and Copilot will follow them for names, docs, and safer patterns. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/guide-your-ai-with-copilot-instructions-md.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/picking-the-right-ai-model-for-your-task.html Choose lighter models for quick edits and stronger models for complex reasoning, match the model to the task and move faster. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/picking-the-right-ai-model-for-your-task.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/multi-file-edits-made-simple.html Copilot’s multi-file edits let you refactor, modernize imports, and stay consistent across your project in one flow. Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/multi-file-edits-made-simple.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/draft-smarter-regex-without-the-headaches.html Use Copilot Chat to write, explain, and test regex patterns, so you spend less time guessing and more time shipping. Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/draft-smarter-regex-without-the-headaches.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-edit-mode-for-quick-targeted-improvements.html Polish code fast with Copilot Edit Mode, simplify logic, match style, and add error handling with a single prompt. Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-edit-mode-for-quick-targeted-improvements.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/work-smarter-across-multiple-files.html Copilot’s multi-file context helps you connect controllers, models, and tests without losing track of relationships. Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/work-smarter-across-multiple-files.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/speed-up-api-integration.html Skip boilerplate and get working API calls faster with Copilot, while keeping full control over the details. Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/speed-up-api-integration.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/find-and-fix-typos-faster-with-github-copilot.html Typos can be sneaky. A missing letter in a variable name, can cause real headaches. Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/find-and-fix-typos-faster-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-cleaner-code-comments-with-github-copilot.html Transform vague comments into clear, meaningful documentation that actually helps your future self. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-cleaner-code-comments-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-github-copilot-chat-to-plan-before-you-code.html Stop jumping straight into code - let Copilot Chat help you think through architecture and design first. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-github-copilot-chat-to-plan-before-you-code.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/copilot-vs-chat-sidekick-showdown.html Discover when to use inline Copilot suggestions vs. when to fire up Chat for deeper conversations. Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/copilot-vs-chat-sidekick-showdown.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/avoid-these-common-prompts.html Learn why "write a function" gets you nowhere and what to ask for instead to get better results. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/avoid-these-common-prompts.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/top-10-copilot-tips.html Quick wins and power moves that will make you wonder how you ever coded without Copilot. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/top-10-copilot-tips.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/refactor-messy-code-in-seconds-with-github-copilot.html Turn legacy spaghetti code into clean, maintainable solutions with targeted refactoring prompts. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/refactor-messy-code-in-seconds-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/automate-repetitive-code-with-github-copilot.html Eliminate boring, repetitive coding tasks by teaching Copilot to recognize and replicate patterns. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/automate-repetitive-code-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/ways-to-use-github-copilot-for-documentation-clarity.html Generate comprehensive documentation, README files, and inline comments that actually make sense. Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/ways-to-use-github-copilot-for-documentation-clarity.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/debug-faster-with-github-copilot.html Speed up debugging by letting Copilot help identify issues and suggest targeted fixes. Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/debug-faster-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-copilot-in-vs-code-to-summarize-prs.html Create meaningful pull request descriptions that help reviewers understand your changes quickly. Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/use-copilot-in-vs-code-to-summarize-prs.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-better-commit-messages-with-github-copilot.html Craft clear, informative commit messages that tell the story of your code changes. Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-better-commit-messages-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/quick-chat-is-your-instant-ai-sidekick.html Master the art of Quick Chat for instant answers without leaving your coding flow. Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/quick-chat-is-your-instant-ai-sidekick.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/craft-prompts-that-get-better-results.html Learn the secret sauce of writing prompts that get Copilot to deliver exactly what you need. Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/craft-prompts-that-get-better-results.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/start-new-files-faster-with-github-copilot.html Beat the blank file syndrome with techniques to kickstart any new code file or project. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/start-new-files-faster-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-unit-tests-without-the-guesswork.html Generate comprehensive test cases that actually catch bugs and document your code's behavior. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/write-unit-tests-without-the-guesswork.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/promptception-improve-prompts-with-copilot.html Use Copilot to help you write better prompts for Copilot - it's meta, but it works! Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/promptception-improve-prompts-with-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/let-copilot-help-you-name-things.html Solve one of programming's hardest problems with AI-powered naming suggestions that actually make sense. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/let-copilot-help-you-name-things.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/modernize-legacy-code-with-github-copilot.html Breathe new life into old codebases by gradually updating patterns and practices with Copilot's help. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/modernize-legacy-code-with-github-copilot.html https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/ask-better-questions-get-better-code.html Master the art of asking Copilot the right questions to get code that actually solves your problems. Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.cooknwithcopilot.com/blog/ask-better-questions-get-better-code.html