The Scene
Last week, while delivering a project, the client scrolled through my git commit history and asked: 'Did AI write this for you?'
What's Happening + Who Got Stuck
VS Code recently introduced a frustrating behavior: whether or not we actually used GitHub Copilot, it automatically adds a 'Co-Authored-by Copilot' line to our saved commit records. It's like every time we commit code, the system signs AI's name for us.
Last month, Lin Xiao, a solo developer at a coworking space in Tianhe, Guangzhou, had just delivered a cross-border e-commerce mini-program. Her client checked the commit history, saw the Copilot credits all over, and directly questioned her professional ability: 'Did you write this code, or did AI?' In reality, she hadn't even turned Copilot on that day. I also got stuck here—once, a client saw the AI co-author tag in the commits and straight up asked if I relied entirely on AI to write it. It took me ages of explaining to clear up the doubts.
Replicate Cost Today
Money: $0 / Time: 2 minutes / Technical barrier: Just know how to use the VS Code settings page / First step: Open VS Code, press Ctrl+, (Cmd+, on Mac), search for 'git.coAuthoredBy', and uncheck it. Not everyone needs this setting—if I never show my commit history to anyone, it's fine to skip it. But if clients can see these records when delivering projects, I find it worth taking 2 minutes to turn it off.
Advice by Stage
For those just starting out with VS Code: I'd check this setting right now, saving myself from awkward delivery moments later.
For those with 1-2 clients already delivering projects: I'd check historical commits for the Copilot co-author tag, and proactively explain it to clients if necessary.
For those scaling up with a small team: I'd add this setting to our team guidelines so new members don't step into the same trap.