Can GitHub Copilot deliver 10x productivity when building real-world enterprise apps with Power Apps and code-first tools? In this blog, we explore exactly that by building a full project management app from scratch using Code Apps, Power Apps, and GitHub Copilot.
This deep dive covers everything from setup and planning to deployment, including Gantt chart visualizations, SQL integration, dark mode, responsive layouts, and more. We also evaluate whether this AI-assisted workflow can replace traditional low-code or pro-code development processes or enhance them.
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What Are Code Apps?
Code Apps are pro-grade React apps that live within the Power Platform ecosystem. They offer developers the full power of custom code while benefiting from Power Platform’s governance, security, and deployment features. Think of them as the bridge between pro-code flexibility and enterprise compliance.
Pair Programming with GitHub Copilot
The development process kicked off with a “vibe coding” approach pair programming with GitHub Copilot. By feeding Copilot detailed instructions through a copilot-instructions.md file, including UI frameworks, best practices, and deployment strategies, the developer was able to significantly accelerate setup and early prototyping.
A requirements.md file was also generated using Copilot, outlining user stories and an implementation roadmap.
From Planning to First Build
Copilot interpreted both the requirements and instructions to create:
- A full implementation plan
- Technical stack recommendations
- A mermaid ERD diagram
- Setup scripts using
PAC codeand fluent UI v9
Once the foundational setup was done, the actual build began. Copilot ran terminal commands (with permission), installed dependencies, scaffolded the app, and added initial features like a navigation menu, forms, and responsive tables.
Iterative Development and Debugging
As the app took shape, common development challenges emerged column resizing bugs, pagination issues, and keyboard accessibility limitations. But thanks to Copilot’s ability to iterate based on error messages, many of these were fixed with simple prompts like “fix this error.”
Development highlights included:
- Implementing resizable, accessible tables
- Adding dark/light mode toggle
- Integrating Office 365 user profile display
- Creating a progress bar column for task completion
Gantt Charts and Data Integration
One of the more complex tasks was integrating a Gantt chart. After some trial and error and prompt refinement, Copilot helped install and configure a third-party Gantt chart component, complete with dark mode support.
Eventually, the app was connected to real SQL Server data. Copilot created SQL tables, stored procedures, and test data, all of which were wired into Power Platform through secure connectors.
This enabled the transition from mock services to live data sources with full CRUD operations, thanks to automatically generated proxy classes and service factories.
Running Code Apps Inside Power Apps
A standout feature of code apps is the ability to develop locally but run remotely inside Power Apps using a local server that supplies metadata to the platform. This hybrid approach means:
- Live updates during development
- Deployment to Power Apps as part of a standard solution
- Full compatibility with mobile and desktop views
Lessons Learned and Best Practices
Key takeaways from the project:
- Always create a detailed
copilot-instructions.mdfile - Use a
requirements.mdto guide AI logic - Commit frequently to source control
- Use Copilot’s
fetchtool to reference external documentation - Validate Copilot’s code, especially for TypeScript and SQL integration
Final Verdict: Is It Really 10x Productivity?
While not flawless, using GitHub Copilot with Code Apps in Power Apps significantly speeds up development, especially for experienced developers familiar with React, Fluent UI, and the Power Platform.
This approach blends the customization power of pro-code with the governance and security of Power Apps, offering a viable path forward for enterprise-grade app development at scale.
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