Teams want a terminal-native agent that can plan, edit, and run tests across the whole repo instead of inline suggestions. This guide maps your config files, walks a 4-step migration checklist and prices the seat delta for a 10-dev team.
01Migration brief
Teams want a terminal-native agent that can plan, edit, and run tests across the whole repo instead of inline suggestions. Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team).
GitHub Copilot
GitHub $10 per month · FreemiumGitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time code completions, chat assistance, and agentic workflows directly within integrated development environments and the GitHub platform. It leverages advanced generative AI models to help developers write code, refactor, generate documentation, and automate pull request workflows.
Claude Code
Anthropic $20 per month · FreemiumClaude Code is a terminal-native agentic coding tool that integrates directly into your development environment to plan, edit, and test code across entire repositories. It operates as an autonomous agent that can handle multi-file refactors, bug fixes, and feature implementations by reading your codebase and executing shell commands with your approval.
02Rules & cost
Convert GitHub Copilot rules to the Claude Code format, then review the output before committing.
Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team).
034-step checklist
- 01
Audit & export your GitHub Copilot rulesGitHub Copilot reads repo-level rules from .github/copilot-instructions.md. Convert them to CLAUDE.md with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. Open →
- 02
Install & configure Claude CodeInstall Claude Code with `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`. Pricing: Freemium — entry plan Claude Pro at $20/mo. Open ↗
- 03
Adapt your daily workflow (IDE Plugins → CLI Agents)Your assistant moves from inline suggestions to a terminal agent that plans, edits files and runs commands across the repo. Claude Code is best for solo founders, indie hackers, and developers working in real-world codebases who need help with complex, multi-file engineering tasks like refactoring and bug fixing.
- 04
Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seatsCosts $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team). Keep GitHub Copilot active for one sprint while Claude Code handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. Open →
04Trade-offs
What you gain
- Claude Code is best for solo founders, indie hackers, and developers working in real-world codebases who need help with complex, multi-file engineering tasks like refactoring and bug fixing.
- Agentic codebase search and navigation without manual context selection.
- Autonomous multi-file editing and test-fix loops.
- Persistent project context via CLAUDE.md configuration files.
What you give up
- GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Claude Code covers that before cancelling seats.
- Claude Code is not ideal for developers seeking inline autocomplete or editor-embedded chat, those who avoid terminal-based workflows, or users looking for a free tool for casual experimentation.
Running both together: Many teams run both: keep GitHub Copilot for ide plugins work and use Claude Code for cli agents tasks during the transition.
05Spec sheet
| GitHub Copilot | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | GitHub | Anthropic |
| Category | IDE Extensions & Plugins | Terminal & CLI Agents |
| Pricing | Freemium Offers a free tier with limited functionality for individual developers. Paid individual plans include Copilot Pro ($10/mo), Pro+ ($39/mo), and Max ($100/mo). Organizational plans include Copilot Business ($19 per user/mo) and Enterprise ($39 per user/mo), with additional usage billed via AI credits at $0.01 per credit. | Freemium Included in Claude Pro ($20/mo), Max 5x ($100/mo), and Max 20x ($200/mo) subscription plans. API users are billed based on standard token consumption. |
| Entry paid plan | Copilot Pro ($10/mo) | Claude Pro ($20/mo) |
| Rules file | .github/copilot-instructions.md | CLAUDE.md |
| Key features |
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06FAQ
How do I convert my GitHub Copilot rules to Claude Code?+
GitHub Copilot reads .github/copilot-instructions.md and Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=claude-md) and review the output before committing.
Is Claude Code cheaper than GitHub Copilot?+
GitHub Copilot starts at Copilot Pro ($10/mo); Claude Code starts at Claude Pro ($20/mo). Costs $10/seat/mo more (+$1,200/yr for a 10-dev team).
What do I lose when switching from GitHub Copilot to Claude Code?+
GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Claude Code covers that before cancelling seats. Claude Code is not ideal for developers seeking inline autocomplete or editor-embedded chat, those who avoid terminal-based workflows, or users looking for a free tool for casual experimentation.
Can I use GitHub Copilot and Claude Code together?+
Many teams run both: keep GitHub Copilot for ide plugins work and use Claude Code for cli agents tasks during the transition.