Beginner’s Guide: Build a React Frontend with GitHub Copilot for Your Travel App

Welcome to another edition of our GitHub for Beginners series! In this sixth episode, we’re diving deep into using GitHub Copilot to build a React frontend. Previously, we built a backend API for Planventure, our travel itinerary builder. Now, it’s time to connect that API with a sleek client-side interface using React.

🛠 What You’ll Need:

• VS Code (or another code editor)
• Node.js (latest version)
• npm (Node package manager)
• GitHub Copilot access (free signup available)
• Optionally, a GitHub Codespace

🌐 What We’re Building:

We’re creating a frontend that connects to our API using:

• React with Vite
• Material UI for components

Core features:

• User authentication (login/signup)
• Protected routes
• Add and manage trips and itineraries

🔧 Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Initial Setup

1. Clone the repo: bashCopyEditgit clone https://github.com/github-samples/planventure
2. Switch to the client branch: bashCopyEditcd planventure-client git switch client-start
3. Install dependencies and run: bashCopyEditnpm install npm run dev

Step 2: Add Authentication

• Use GitHub Copilot to build:
  • AuthLayout with centered content and navigation
  • LoginForm and SignupForm with validations
• Update routing and context with Copilot prompts

Step 3: Connect to Backend API

• Build API service for login/register
• Update forms to use API
• Start Flask backend: bashCopyEditcd planventure-api flask run --debug

Step 4: Add Dashboard and Sidebar Navigation

• Create a dashboard layout with sidebar using Copilot
• Build TripCard, TripList, and a welcoming dashboard
• Fetch user trips and handle errors with friendly messages

Step 5: Enable Trip Management

• Use dayjs and MUI date pickers
• Create NewTripForm for adding trips
• Build components to manage itineraries (ItineraryDay, TimeSlot)
• Add trip editing and options for accommodation and transportation

✅ Final Steps:

• Test all functionality thoroughly
• Debug with GitHub Copilot Chat if needed
• Commit changes regularly using Copilot-generated commit messages

🎯 What’s Next?

You’ve successfully built a fully functional MVP with user auth, trip creation, and itinerary management using GitHub Copilot. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll continue expanding Planventure into a full-featured travel planner.

Have questions? Join the conversation on the GitHub Community thread. Happy coding! 🚀