---
title: "Terminal-based AI Assistant with GitHub for Education"
date: "2026-01-20"
categories: [ai, github]
---

GitHub offers to all academic people a free GitHub Pro account which allows you to use **GitHub Copilot Pro**, which includes access to the latest and most powerful models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

The easiest way of using these tools is through the [GitHub Copilot extension for VS Code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GitHub.copilot). However, the most efficient method is to use a terminal-based coding assistant like Codex CLI or Gemini.

[OpenCode Assistant](https://opencode.ai) is an open source tool that allows you to leverage these models.

## Activate academic discount for GitHub

The first step is to activate the academic discount. For this, you need to first create a free account on GitHub.com and then click on the education link below:

[https://github.com/settings/education/benefits?locale=en-US](https://github.com/settings/education/benefits?locale=en-US)

You will need to have a `.edu` email address and also upload a copy of your badge.

## Install opencode in the terminal

First we need to install node and the easiest way is to use `nvm` (see [instructions](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm?tab=readme-ov-file#install--update-script)).

Currently the command is:

```bash
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash
```

Then run:

```bash
nvm install --lts
```

to install the last stable version of nodejs.

Then install `opencode-ai`:

```bash
npm i -g opencode-ai
```

Launch with `opencode` in your terminal.

## Authenticate opencode with Github Copilot

In OpenCode, run `/connect` and select **GitHub Copilot**.
Complete the GitHub device login flow.

## Start coding

You can use `/models` to choose a model. GitHub Copilot has free and premium models, you can check your usage under [https://github.com/settings/copilot/features](https://github.com/settings/copilot/features).

For simpler tasks, the best unlimited model is **Grok Code Fast 1**, alternatively if you need a larger context you can use **GPT 4.1**.

For more complicated tasks, the 2 best premium models are **GPT-5.2-codex** and **Gemini 3 pro**. You have 300 requests per month to these models.