We split this copilot-instructions.md into the rules it gives an agent

5 rules. About 0 are common, 4 are distinctive, and 1 is very specific to this project.

• ≈0

  Common · estimate

  Many files like this have a rule of this kind.

• ≈4

  Distinctive · estimate

  This author's own choices. Worth a look.

• 1

  Very specific

  Tied to their project's names, files or tools. Probably skip.

• Common
• Distinctive
• Very specific

1. Distinctive:

   Follow the repository AGENTS.md router and the nearest scoped AGENTS.md for every change.

   line 3
2. Distinctive:

   Start in read-only mode; use KiCad MCP tools before local file transformations.

   line 6
3. Very specific:

   Never rewrite .kicad_pcb or .kicad_sch by shell/regex when a safe MCP mutation tool is unavailable.

   line 7
4. Distinctive:

   Do not bypass branch protection, workflow gates, path checks, release guards, or manufacturing approvals.

   line 9
5. Distinctive:

   Verify scope and security with repository-native tests and policies.

   line 13

≈ “Common” is an estimate: at least 1 in 5 of the 3,669 Copilot instructions files we read have a rule of the same kind, not the same words. “Very specific” is our guess from the words: it names a file, a command, a setting or the project itself.

• Where files are headingNew Copilot instructions files have more rules about branches and pull requests, and fewer about code style.

  Of the Copilot instructions files we read, the 2,297 first seen in the last six months, against the older ones: the kind of rule that gained most share, and the kind that lost most. About files like this in general, not this one, and an estimate, since a kind is a pattern in the words.

• In this repository21 other files it gives its agents.

  • AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
  • .github/AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
  • integrations/AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
  • packages/AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
  • src-tauri/AGENTS.mdAGENTS.md
  • docs/llms.txtllms.txt
  • drc-checkSkill
  • fabrication-outputSkill
  • kicad-design-reviewSkill
  • pcb-designSkill
  • schematic-reviewSkill
  • visual-excellenceSkill
  • wired-subcircuit-designSkill
  • code-reviewSkill
  • drc-checkSkill
  • fabrication-outputSkill
  • kicad-design-reviewSkill
  • pcb-designSkill
  • schematic-reviewSkill
  • visual-excellenceSkill
  • wired-subcircuit-designSkill