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Check VS Code and GitHub Copilot feature compatibility. Use this skill when diagnosing why a feature isn't working, checking required settings, or verifying version requirements for experimental features.
Install with Codex or Claude Copy this prompt, paste it into Codex, Claude, or another assistant, and let it review the skill page and install it for you.
Based on SOC occupation classification
Help decide which GitHub Copilot customization to use (instructions, prompts, agents, or skills). Use this skill when users ask which customization type to create, want to understand the differences, or need guidance choosing between .instructions.md, .prompt.md, .agent.md, or SKILL.md files.
Audit repository Copilot customization setup. Use this skill to analyze existing configuration, identify missing files, check for best practices, and suggest improvements for agents, prompts, instructions, and skills.
Create and maintain Agent Skills for VS Code and GitHub Copilot. Use this skill when setting up new skills, skill directories, or SKILL.md files. Helps scaffold project skills in .github/skills/ or personal skills in ~/.copilot/skills/.
| name | copilot-compatibility-checker |
| description | Check VS Code and GitHub Copilot feature compatibility. Use this skill when diagnosing why a feature isn't working, checking required settings, or verifying version requirements for experimental features. |
This skill helps diagnose and verify VS Code / GitHub Copilot feature compatibility based on version and settings.
When diagnosing issues, consult these sources for the latest information:
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
.github/copilot-instructions.md | github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.useInstructionFiles | 1.95 | Stable |
*.instructions.md files | Auto-discovered in .github/instructions/ | 1.99 | Stable |
AGENTS.md (root) | chat.useAgentsMdFile | 1.102 | Stable |
AGENTS.md (nested/subfolders) | chat.useNestedAgentsMdFiles | 1.105 | Experimental |
CLAUDE.md | chat.useClaudeMdFile | 1.105+ | Stable/compatible |
| Parent repository discovery | chat.useCustomizationsInParentRepositories | 1.108+ | Stable |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Custom agents (.agent.md) | Auto-discovered | 1.106 | Stable |
Legacy chat modes (.chatmode.md) | Auto-discovered (deprecated) | 1.99-1.105 | Deprecated |
| Subagents with custom agents | chat.customAgentInSubagent.enabled | 1.106 | Experimental |
| Organization custom agents | github.copilot.chat.organizationCustomAgents.enabled | 1.107+ | Stable/Policy controlled |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent Skills | chat.useAgentSkills | 1.108 | Stable |
Project skills (.github/skills/) | chat.useAgentSkills | 1.108 | Stable |
Personal skills (~/.copilot/skills/) | chat.useAgentSkills | 1.108 | Stable |
Alt skill locations (.agents/skills/) | chat.useAgentSkills | 1.108 | Stable |
| Custom skill locations | chat.agentSkillsLocations | 1.108 | Stable |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Workspace hooks (.github/hooks/) | chat.hookFilesLocations | Preview | Preview |
| Agent-scoped hooks (frontmatter) | chat.useCustomAgentHooks | Preview | Preview |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent plugins | chat.plugins.enabled | Preview | Preview |
| Plugin marketplaces | chat.plugins.marketplaces | Preview | Preview |
| Local plugins | chat.pluginLocations | Preview | Preview |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Prompt files (.prompt.md) | Auto-discovered in .github/prompts/ | 1.99 | Stable |
| Prompt recommendations | chat.promptFilesRecommendations | 1.105 | Stable |
| Feature | Setting | Since Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal tool auto-approval | chat.tools.autoApprove | 1.103 | Stable |
| Terminal sandboxing | chat.tools.terminal.sandbox.enabled | Preview | Preview |
| MCP servers | chat.mcp.enabled | 1.102 | Stable |
| MCP access control | chat.mcp.access | 1.108+ | Stable/Policy controlled |
| MCP sandbox | sandboxEnabled in mcp.json | Preview | Preview |
| MCP auto-discovery | chat.mcp.discovery.enabled | Preview | Preview |
| Tool sets | Chat: Configure Tool Sets | 1.108+ | Stable/Preview |
| Organization instructions | github.copilot.chat.organizationInstructions.enabled | 1.108+ | Stable/Policy controlled |
| Background agents | chat.agent.background.enabled | 1.107 | Experimental |
| Autopilot mode | chat.autopilot.enabled | Preview | Preview |
Ask the user to run:
code --version
Or check via: Help → About (macOS: Code → About Visual Studio Code)
The first line is the version number (e.g., 1.108.0).
To verify a setting is enabled, check:
~/.config/Code/User/settings.json (Linux), ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json (macOS), %APPDATA%\Code\User\settings.json (Windows).vscode/settings.jsonOr use the Command Palette: Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)
Check if the required files exist in the correct locations:
| Feature | Expected Location |
|---|---|
| Workspace instructions | .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| Scoped instructions | .github/instructions/*.instructions.md |
| Custom agents | .github/agents/*.agent.md |
| Prompt files | .github/prompts/*.prompt.md |
| Agent Skills | .github/skills/*/SKILL.md |
| Hook configs | .github/hooks/*.json |
| AGENTS.md | Root or subfolders |
github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.useInstructionFiles is true*.instructions.md: check applyTo glob matches target files.agent.md extension.github/agents/ directorychat.useAgentSkills setting (it's preview, not on by default)SKILL.md exists in the skill directoryname and descriptionchat.useNestedAgentsMdFiles (experimental)chat.useAgentsMdFile is also enabledchat.customAgentInSubagent.enabled (experimental)disable-model-invocation: truerunSubagent tool is available.github/hooks/chat.useCustomAgentHooksEnable all experimental features:
{
"github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.useInstructionFiles": true,
"chat.useAgentsMdFile": true,
"chat.useNestedAgentsMdFiles": true,
"chat.useAgentSkills": true,
"chat.customAgentInSubagent.enabled": true,
"chat.mcp.enabled": true,
"chat.useCustomAgentHooks": true,
"chat.plugins.enabled": true,
"chat.autopilot.enabled": true,
"chat.mcp.discovery.enabled": true,
"github.copilot.chat.organizationCustomAgents.enabled": true
}
| Version | Key Features Added |
|---|---|
| Preview | Hooks (lifecycle automation), Agent plugins |
| 1.108 | Agent Skills |
| 1.107 | Background agents (experimental), org/enterprise agents |
| 1.106 | Custom agents (renamed from chat modes) |
| 1.105 | Nested AGENTS.md (experimental) |
| 1.103 | Terminal auto-approval |
| 1.102 | MCP servers, AGENTS.md |
| 1.99 | Prompt files, instructions files |
| 1.95 | copilot-instructions.md |
When a user reports a feature not working or asks about compatibility:
code --version or check Help → About"chat.useAgentSkills": true"chat.useAgentsMdFile": true.github/AGENTS.md or .github/agents/*.agent.md exists