GitHub Copilot and tokens: how to keep using AI without burning your budget in three prompts (some personal lessons learned!)

This article discusses how GitHub Copilot's shift to usage-based billing and AI Credits has made token consumption a cost concern for developers. It explains that the real expense often comes from context (chat history, open files, logs, tool calls) rather than just prompts. The author shares personal lessons on optimizing usage: using autocomplete and Next Edit Suggestions for small tasks before opening chat, being mindful of context size, and understanding which features are free. Aimed at developers using Copilot for .NET, AI, Azure, and daily coding, it provides actionable strategies to keep using AI without burning through budgets.