copilot-init

name	copilot-init
description	Bootstrap Copilot guidance for any repository by creating or updating `.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml`, `.github/instructions/*.instructions.md`, and `.github/skills/*/SKILL.md`. Use when asked to initialize Copilot guidance, scaffold repo instructions or skills, or create or update `copilot-setup-steps`.
allowed-tools	Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, Bash

Copilot init

Create or refresh Copilot bootstrap assets for the current repository. Derive all guidance from the repository itself; do not paste generic templates without adapting them.

Goal

Produce a minimal, high-signal set of:

• .github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
• .github/instructions/*.instructions.md
• .github/skills/*/SKILL.md

Keep startup guidance short, keep detailed repo-wide guidance in a single canonical place when the repository has one, and avoid duplicating large rule blocks across files.

Workflow

1. Audit the repository.
   • Identify languages, toolchains, package managers, entry points, and major workflows.
   • Collect setup, lint, test, type-check, build, and release commands.
   • Inspect existing workflows, instructions, skills, and agent guidance before adding files.
   • Note required system packages, services, or runtime prerequisites.
2. Design the guidance split.
   • .github/copilot-instructions.md: short startup bootstrap only.
   • Repo-wide guide, if present: canonical long-form guidance.
   • .github/instructions/: path- or topic-specific rules.
   • .github/skills/: reusable task workflows.
3. Create or update .github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml.
   • Keep triggers minimal: workflow_dispatch plus push and pull_request scoped to the workflow file.
   • Set minimal permissions:.
   • Use pinned action versions.
   • Install only the repository's real system dependencies, toolchain, and project dependencies.
   • Match the repository's actual package manager, lockfiles, version pins, and setup flow.
4. Create or update .github/instructions/*.instructions.md.
   • Add files only when the repository has a real language, workflow, review, or platform need.
   • Keep each file focused, reusable, and narrow in scope.
   • Avoid duplicating repo-wide guidance that belongs in the canonical guide.
5. Create or update .github/skills/*/SKILL.md.
   • Add only reusable skills tied to real repository workflows.
   • Give each skill a clear trigger, narrow scope, and concrete steps.
   • Call out generated files, unsafe areas, validation requirements, and any repo-specific invariants.
6. Validate the result.
   • Verify every referenced path, file, and command exists.
   • Run the repository's existing validation for changed workflows and tracked files.
   • Do not claim runtime or end-to-end validation you did not perform.

Portability requirements

• Tailor versions, dependencies, and commands to the current repository.
• Preserve good existing guidance files instead of replacing them wholesale.
• Respect the repository's chosen canonical guidance file names and structure.
• Prefer the smallest file set that still gives high-signal guidance.
• Keep the output useful even when a repository does not use AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md.

Guardrails

• Never invent commands, paths, dependencies, or workflows.
• Do not hand-edit generated artifacts when the repository provides a script or generator.
• Keep guidance concise, actionable, and repository-specific.
• Update good existing files instead of creating duplicates.
• Use this split when deciding where guidance belongs:
  • Startup bootstrap: .github/copilot-instructions.md
  • Canonical repo-wide guide: whichever existing file the repository uses
  • Path- or topic-specific rules: .github/instructions/*.instructions.md
  • Reusable task workflow: .github/skills/*/SKILL.md

Deliverables checklist

• copilot-setup-steps matches the repository's real setup path.
• Instructions reflect the real stack, commands, and hotspots.
• Skills reflect recurring repository workflows.
• Large rule blocks are not duplicated across files.
• All changed files are internally consistent.