Ways to Use GitHub Copilot for Documentation & Clarity

We’re focusing on documentation & clarity—because great code isn’t just about what it does, but how well it’s understood. Whether you need quick docstrings, API explanations, or commit message suggestions, Copilot can help make your code more readable and maintainable. Let’s break it down!

Let Copilot generate docstrings, explain code, and improve readability—so you can focus on coding, not commenting!

1) Instant Docs with /doc (Fastest Method using Slash commands)
What it does:
Quickly generates documentation for a single method or entire file using GitHub Copilot’s /doc feature.

✅ How to use it:
• Right-click on a method or class
• Select Copilot → Generate Docs
• Review the output
Best for: Quick, no-fuss documentation. May need edits for accuracy.

2) Simple Prompt for XML Docs
What it does:
Generates XML-style documentation, including function purpose, parameters, and return values.

✅ Try this in Copilot Chat:
"Document this function, including its purpose, parameters, and return value."
Best for: When you need structured XML docs without extra details.

3) Role-Based Prompt for API Documentation
What it does:
Creates detailed API documentation with request parameters, response formats, and inline comments for better clarity.

✅ Try this prompt:
"You are a technical writer. Write detailed documentation for this API endpoint, explaining its request parameters, response format, and usage examples. Also, add inline comments explaining each step."
Best for: Creating well-documented API methods with explanations for developers.

4) Step-by-Step Breakdown (Chain-of-Thought)
What it does:
Explains a function step-by-step and adds inline comments to improve readability.

✅ Try this prompt:
"Explain the logic of this function step-by-step, then add inline comments for clarity."
Best for: When you need clear explanations for complex logic.

5) Meta Prompting for Smarter Documentation
What it does:
Uses a structured prompt to guide Copilot in generating more detailed and useful documentation.

✅ Try this prompt:
"Generate a detailed docstring for this function, including parameters, return values, and a short usage example."
Best for: When you need well-structured, professional documentation that provides clear guidance for future use.

Great documentation makes great code even better! Whether it’s docstrings, inline comments, commit messages, or API explanations, GitHub Copilot can help streamline the process.