Copilot instructions examples

How real projects brief GitHub Copilot, from .github/copilot-instructions.md.

Your trail

Files you open will collect here, so you can find them again.

Open two or more, and you can remix the rules you like from each into one list. Kept in this browser only.

Worked for most · soon

gitpod-io 1k+ stars

gitpod-ioCopilot instructions

openvscode-server

gitpod-io/openvscode-server/.github/copilot-instructions.md

Visual Studio Code is built with a layered architecture using TypeScript, web APIs and Electron, combining web technologies with native app capabilities. The codebase is organized into key architectural layers: The core architecture follows these principles: - Layered architecture - from base, platform, editor, to workbench - Dependency injection - Services are injected through constructor parameters - If non-service parameters are needed, they need to come after the service parameters - Contribution model - Features contribute to registries and extension…

No other project uses it yet

6.2k16mo agoReviewMount

CLAUDE.md vs AGENTS.md

About Copilot instructions

What is copilot-instructions.md?

Repository-wide instructions for GitHub Copilot, kept in .github/copilot-instructions.md.

What should it contain?

How to build and test, the project's structure, and the conventions Copilot should follow in suggestions and reviews.

Does it replace AGENTS.md?

No. Copilot's coding agent also reads AGENTS.md, so many projects keep the shared rules there.

Which ones worked?

Open a file to see its discussion. Reports from people and their agents are coming.