Work Smarter Across Multiple Files

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

Usage

Sometimes the bug or feature you’re working on doesn’t live in a single file. It spans a controller, a model, and maybe even a test.
That’s where GitHub Copilot’s multi-file context comes in. It can reason across your entire project, not just the file in front of you, making its suggestions more complete and accurate.

ProTip

Use Copilot to Understand and Connect Multiple Files
Instead of copy-pasting code from one file into another or losing track of relationships, you can ask Copilot to connect the dots directly.

Try These Approaches

1️⃣ Copilot Chat: Cross-File Help
# How does data flow from the API route in routes/user.js to the database model in models/user.js?
Copilot pulls context from both files and explains the connections.

2️⃣ Edit Mode: Refactor Across Files
Highlight code in one file and type:
# Update this method so it stays consistent with changes in services/userService.js
Copilot revises the code while checking other related files.

3️⃣ Agent Mode: Bigger Picture
Summarize how authentication works across this repo, including middleware, routes, and tests.
🤖 Copilot Agent Mode gives you a high-level overview of connected logic.

Extra Prompts to Try

# Show me where this function is called across the project
# Summarize all tests that validate the login process
# Find inconsistencies between this API response and its usage in the frontend