diff --git a/form.yml b/form.yml
index 463c3de..c5df531 100644
--- a/form.yml
+++ b/form.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ form:
 attributes:
   auto_modules_app_code_server:
     default: false
+    help: "GitHub Copilot is available in newer versions of Code Server. You are responsible for ensuring your use complies with your institution's AI data policies."
   working_dir:
     widget: "path_selector"
     label: "Working Directory"
diff --git a/template/script.sh.erb b/template/script.sh.erb
index 13ab534..c090bdd 100755
--- a/template/script.sh.erb
+++ b/template/script.sh.erb
@@ -40,6 +40,41 @@ if [[ -f "$CPP_FILE" ]]; then
     mv "$CPP_FILE".new "$CPP_FILE"
   fi
 
+# Create an empty settings file if one doesn't exist
+USER_SETTINGS_DIR="$CODE_SERVER_DATAROOT/User"
+USER_SETTINGS_FILE="$USER_SETTINGS_DIR/settings.json"
+
+mkdir -p "$USER_SETTINGS_DIR"
+
+if [[ ! -f "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE" ]]; then
+  echo '{}' > "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE"
+fi
+
+# Merge default settings into the user's settings
+# User settings take precedence
+jq -s '.[0] * .[1]' \
+    <(cat <<'EOF'
+{
+  "search.followSymlinks": false,
+  "search.exclude": {
+    "**/.git": true,
+    "**/node_modules": true,
+    "**/scratch": true
+  },
+  "telemetry.telemetryLevel": "off",
+  "chat.disableAIFeatures": true,
+  "chat.agent.enabled": false,
+  "chat.commandCenter.enabled": false,
+  "workbench.settings.showAISearchToggle": false,
+  "terminal.integrated.initialHint": false
+}
+EOF
+) \
+    "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE" \
+    > "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE.new"
+
+mv "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE.new" "$USER_SETTINGS_FILE"
+
 #
 # Start Code Server.
 #
diff --git a/view.html.erb b/view.html.erb
index e5bb85d..aabf699 100644
--- a/view.html.erb
+++ b/view.html.erb
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 })();
 </script>
 
-<% if code_server_version == '4.8.3' %>
+<% if Gem::Version.new(code_server_version) >= Gem::Version.new('4.8.3') %>
 <form id="<%= form_id %>" action="/rnode/<%= host %>/<%= port %>/login?to=" method="post" target="_blank">
   <input type="hidden" name="password" value="<%= password %>">
 <% else %>