GitHub Copilot assists with code refactoring by acting as an AI pair programmer that suggests improvements. When a developer highlights a block of code, they can use features like Copilot Chat to ask for refactoring suggestions, such as simplifying complex logic, improving readability, or adhering to specific design patterns. Copilot analyzes the selected code and proposes alternative implementations. The developer remains in control, reviewing the suggestions and deciding whether to accept them. This interactive process helps enhance code quality and maintainability without automating changes against the developer's will.

A. Copilot requires user interaction to accept any suggested fix; it does not operate autonomously without user input.

B. Copilot suggests changes based on best practices but does not "automatically rewrite" code; the developer must review and approve all modifications.

D. Copilot operates on code within files and does not perform file system management tasks like deleting unnecessary files.

1. Microsoft Learn

"Use GitHub Copilot for code refactoring": "GitHub Copilot can help you refactor your code by suggesting improvements and providing alternative implementations. You can use GitHub Copilot to refactor your code by selecting a block of code and asking Copilot to refactor it." This source directly supports the concept of Copilot suggesting refactoring improvements.

Source: Microsoft Learn

"Refactor code with GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code" module.

2. GitHub Docs

"Using GitHub Copilot Chat in your IDE": This documentation explains how developers can use natural language prompts to interact with Copilot for various tasks

including refactoring. For example

a user can ask

"How can I refactor this function to be more efficient?" Copilot will then provide a suggestion. This highlights the suggestion-based and interactive nature of the tool.

Source: GitHub Docs

"Using GitHub Copilot Chat in your IDE"

Section: "Asking for help with your code".

3. Ziegler

A.

et al. (2022). Productivity Effects of AI-Assisted Programming: A Randomized Controlled Trial with GitHub Copilot. This academic working paper

while not a peer-reviewed publication in the final sense

is a foundational study from MIT researchers on Copilot's impact. It notes that Copilot assists by generating "alternative implementations" and helping developers explore different solutions

which is central to refactoring. The study's methodology confirms the tool's role as a suggester

not an autonomous agent.

Source: Available via SSRN

Section 2: "GitHub Copilot". (Note: While a working paper

its institutional origin and direct relevance make it a suitable reference in this context).