GitHub Copilot Quick Pick is a VS Code command that lets you cycle through alternative code suggestions without leaving your keyboard. When Copilot offers an inline suggestion, you might want to see other completions or reject the current one. The Quick Pick menu displays up to ten alternatives in a dropdown list. This article explains how to open the Quick Pick menu, interpret the options, and select the best suggestion for your code.
Key Takeaways: GitHub Copilot Quick Pick in VS Code
- Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Enter (macOS): Opens the Quick Pick menu showing alternative suggestions from Copilot.
- Number keys 1–9 or arrow keys + Enter: Selects a specific suggestion from the Quick Pick list.
- Escape key: Closes the Quick Pick menu without inserting any suggestion.
What the GitHub Copilot Quick Pick Menu Does
The Quick Pick menu is a built-in VS Code feature that appears when you press Ctrl+Enter on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Enter on macOS while an inline Copilot suggestion is active. It shows a list of alternative code completions that Copilot has generated for the current context. Each entry in the list shows a snippet of the proposed code. You can scroll through the list using the arrow keys or by pressing the number key that corresponds to the suggestion number. Pressing Enter inserts the selected suggestion into your code. Pressing Escape closes the menu without making any changes. The menu also includes an option to open the full Copilot completions panel if you need to see more than ten alternatives.
The Quick Pick menu is most useful when the first inline suggestion is not exactly what you want. Instead of accepting or rejecting the inline suggestion and then typing manually, you can quickly browse other options. This saves time and helps you discover alternative approaches that Copilot might offer. The feature works in any supported language, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, and Go.
Steps to Open and Use the Quick Pick Menu
Follow these steps to open the Quick Pick menu and select an alternative suggestion. These instructions assume you have the GitHub Copilot extension installed and enabled in VS Code version 1.78 or later.
- Trigger an inline Copilot suggestion
Start typing a line of code in a supported file. After a short pause, Copilot displays a ghost text suggestion in gray. Do not press Tab or Enter yet. The ghost text indicates that an inline suggestion is available. - Press Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Enter (macOS)
This keyboard shortcut opens the Quick Pick menu. A dropdown list appears near your cursor position. The list shows up to ten alternative suggestions. Each suggestion is numbered from 1 to 10 and includes a preview of the code. - Navigate through the suggestions
Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move through the list. The selected suggestion is highlighted. You can also press the number key that matches the suggestion you want. For example, press 3 to select the third suggestion. The preview in the editor updates as you highlight each option. - Insert the selected suggestion
Press Enter to insert the highlighted suggestion into your code. The inline ghost text is replaced by the chosen completion. If you change your mind, press Escape to close the Quick Pick menu without inserting anything. The original inline suggestion remains visible. - Open the full completions panel if needed
If the Quick Pick menu shows a message like “Show more completions” or you want to see more than ten alternatives, scroll to the bottom of the list and select the option to open the completions panel. This panel displays a larger set of suggestions in a separate tab.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Quick Pick menu does not appear
The Quick Pick menu only opens when an inline suggestion is active. If you press Ctrl+Enter or Cmd+Enter and nothing happens, make sure you have typed enough context for Copilot to generate a suggestion. If the ghost text does not appear, try typing a few more characters or moving to a new line. Also verify that the GitHub Copilot extension is enabled and that you are signed in with an active subscription.
Quick Pick shows only one suggestion
Copilot generates multiple completions based on the surrounding context. If the Quick Pick menu shows only one or two suggestions, the context might be very specific or the file might be short. Add more lines of code or comments to give Copilot more information. You can also open the completions panel to see additional alternatives.
Accidentally inserting the wrong suggestion
If you press Enter while the Quick Pick menu is open, the highlighted suggestion is inserted. To avoid inserting the wrong code, always check the preview before pressing Enter. If you insert an incorrect suggestion, use Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z to undo immediately.
Quick Pick Menu vs Inline Suggestion: Key Differences
| Item | Quick Pick Menu | Inline Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger key | Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Enter (macOS) | Automatic after a short pause |
| Number of suggestions shown | Up to 10 at a time | One at a time |
| Selection method | Arrow keys, number keys, or mouse click | Tab to accept, Escape to dismiss |
| Browsing alternatives | Scrollable list with previews | Not available; must dismiss and retrigger |
| Best use case | When the first suggestion is not ideal | When the first suggestion is correct |
Use the Quick Pick menu when you want to compare multiple completions without manually dismissing and retriggering suggestions. Use the inline suggestion when the first ghost text is exactly what you need. Both features work together to speed up your coding workflow.