AI for Beginners: Web Development & GitHub (Part 2)

February 11, 2026

Part 2 of 2: Level up to real development

Welcome to the Developer's Journey

So you've mastered building things with AI through simple prompts. Now you want more control. You want to write code, test your work, and share it with the world. This is where things get fun—and we're going to show you that you're closer than you think.

In Part 1, you learned what's possible. In Part 2, you'll learn how to make it real.

The New Tools: VS Code, Copilot, and GitHub

What is VS Code?

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free text editor where developers write code. Think of it like Microsoft Word, but for code instead of documents. It's powerful, free, and used by millions of developers worldwide.

Download: code.visualstudio.com

What is GitHub Copilot?

Remember how AI helped you write essays and create spreadsheets? Copilot is that same AI, but built right into VS Code. As you type, Copilot suggests code—often completing entire functions before you finish typing.

It's like having a pair programmer sitting next to you, constantly offering suggestions.

Cost: Free for students, $10/month for others (with a free trial)

What is GitHub?

GitHub is like Google Drive for code. It's where you save your projects, track changes, and share your work with others. It's also where the entire tech industry collaborates.

Access: Free at github.com

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

Step 1a: Install VS Code

  1. Go to code.visualstudio.com
  2. Download for your operating system
  3. Run the installer and follow the prompts
  4. Open VS Code

Step 1b: Install GitHub Copilot

  1. In VS Code, click Extensions (left sidebar icon that looks like blocks)
  2. Search for "GitHub Copilot"
  3. Click Install
  4. Sign in with your GitHub account (create one if you don't have it)
  5. Start coding—Copilot will suggest completions as you type

Step 1c: Create a GitHub Account

  1. Go to github.com
  2. Click "Sign Up"
  3. Choose a username (this is part of your public profile)
  4. Verify your email
  5. You now have a place to store and share your code

Step 2: Your First Project - Build a Website

Let's build a real website. No experience needed.

Create a Project Folder

  1. On your computer, create a folder called "my-first-website"
  2. Open that folder in VS Code (File → Open Folder)

Create Your First File

  1. In VS Code, right-click in the empty space and create a new file
  2. Name it "index.html"
  3. In the file, type: <h1>
  4. Watch as Copilot suggests the complete structure
  5. If you want it, press Tab to accept the suggestion

What just happened? Copilot saw you starting HTML and suggested a complete webpage structure. You barely typed anything, and you have a working foundation.

Ask Copilot for Help

Within the code, type a comment describing what you want:

<!-- Create a portfolio section with project cards -->

Copilot will suggest HTML to build exactly that.

That's the power: You describe what you want, and Copilot writes the code.

Step 3: Test Your Website Locally

Install a Live Server Extension

  1. In VS Code Extensions, search for "Live Server"
  2. Install the one by Ritwick Dey
  3. Right-click on your HTML file
  4. Click "Open with Live Server"
  5. Your website opens in a browser and updates as you type

Why this matters: You're now testing your code in real-time. You can see exactly how it looks and fix problems immediately.

Step 4: Make It Your Own

Your website is functional, but it's generic. Let's personalize it:

Using Copilot for Customization

In a comment, ask Copilot to build exactly what you want:

<!-- Add a dark theme with cyberpunk styling -->

Copilot will suggest CSS to match.

Or:

<!-- Add a contact form that validates email addresses -->

It'll suggest form code with validation.

The Key Principle

In VS Code with Copilot, you become the director and Copilot is your implementing team. You decide what should happen; Copilot implements it. This is vastly more control than using a prompt-based AI.

Step 5: Push to GitHub

Now that you have a working website, let's share it with the world.

Create a GitHub Repository

  1. Go to GitHub and log in
  2. Click the "+" icon in the top right
  3. Select "New repository"
  4. Name it "my-first-website"
  5. Add a description
  6. Click "Create repository"
  7. GitHub gives you instructions—follow them in your terminal

Push Your Code (Simple Version)

In VS Code, there's a built-in Git tool:

  1. Open the Source Control panel (left sidebar)
  2. It will ask you to initialize a repository—click yes
  3. Stage your files by clicking the "+" button
  4. Type a message like "Initial commit: my first website"
  5. Click the checkmark to commit
  6. Click "Publish Branch" to push to GitHub

Boom. Your code is now on GitHub. You have a public repository. People can see your work, fork it, and learn from it.

Step 6: Enable GitHub Pages (Free Hosting)

Your code is on GitHub, but can people actually visit your website? Yes!

  1. Go to your repository on GitHub
  2. Click Settings
  3. Scroll to "Pages"
  4. Under "Source," select your main branch
  5. Save
  6. GitHub gives you a URL like: yourusername.github.io/my-first-website

Your website is now live on the internet. Share that URL with anyone. It's a real, publicly accessible website you built.

Real Workflow: Build → Test → Push

Now that you understand the tools, here's the actual workflow professional developers use:

  1. Have an idea - "I want a website that shows my portfolio"
  2. Create the structure - Write HTML with Copilot's help
  3. Add styling - Write CSS, Copilot suggests designs
  4. Test locally - Use Live Server to see it in a browser
  5. Fix bugs - Something doesn't work? Ask Copilot or Google it
  6. Commit changes - Save your progress to Git
  7. Push to GitHub - Share your code publicly
  8. Deploy to the web - Use GitHub Pages or other hosting

This is the exact workflow used by companies like Google, Microsoft, and every startup. You're learning the real deal.

Leveling Up: JavaScript and Interactivity

Once you're comfortable with HTML and CSS, you can add JavaScript to make your website interactive:

Example: Add a Button

  1. Create a new file: "script.js"
  2. In a comment, describe what you want: // When the button is clicked, show an alert saying "Hello!"
  3. Copilot will write the JavaScript for you
  4. Link it to your HTML: <script src="script.js"></script>
  5. Test it with Live Server

You now have interactive functionality without understanding JavaScript syntax. Copilot handled the implementation; you handled the direction.

Beyond Websites: Building Games, Apps, and More

Once you master web development, you can build:

🎮 Games

Using libraries like Phaser or Three.js (which Copilot knows about), you can build 2D and 3D games entirely in the browser.

📱 Web Apps

Real applications like todo lists, calculators, note-taking apps, chat applications—all in the browser.

🐍 Python Programs

VS Code supports Python. With Copilot, you can write Python scripts, automation tools, and data analysis programs.

🔧 Backend Services

Advanced developers use Node.js or Python to build servers and APIs. Copilot excels here too.

The skills you learned with your first website are the foundation for all of this.

Common Challenges and Solutions

"My code doesn't work"

Solution: This is 99% of programming. Your error message is your guide. Google the error message, and you'll usually find the answer. Ask Copilot: "What does this error mean?"

"I don't understand what Copilot suggested"

Solution: Ask Copilot to explain it. Or watch tutorials on that specific concept. Understanding is important, but Copilot can accelerate you past repetitive learning.

"Will using Copilot prevent me from learning?"

Solution: Only if you treat it as magic. Review what Copilot writes. Understand it. Modify it. That active engagement is where learning happens.

Your Next Steps

  1. Set up VS Code and Copilot (30 minutes)
  2. Build your first website (2-4 hours)
  3. Customize it (add your own content, colors, images)
  4. Push it to GitHub (15 minutes)
  5. Enable GitHub Pages (5 minutes)
  6. Share it with the world (forever proud moment)

Total time: One afternoon. You can genuinely build and deploy a real website in one afternoon.

Resources for Continued Learning

The Bigger Picture

A few years ago, you'd need months of study and formal education to reach this point. Now, with AI, you can go from zero to deployed in an afternoon.

This is the democratization of tech. You don't need gatekeepers anymore. You don't need a computer science degree. You need curiosity, willingness to try, and access to AI tools that can guide you.

You have all three. Welcome to the developer community.

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