From 2bc3c71a67179dcf84350a6ba4e97404ff0b8969 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Harald Kirschner Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:51:18 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] init prompt: inventory docs and link instead of duplicating content (#4335) Co-authored-by: Harald Kirschner --- extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/init.prompt.md | 3 +++ .../agent-customization/references/workspace-instructions.md | 2 +- 2 files changed, 4 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/init.prompt.md b/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/init.prompt.md index a25003291cf..e1ee5be18a5 100644 --- a/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/init.prompt.md +++ b/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/init.prompt.md @@ -21,9 +21,12 @@ Bootstrap workspace instructions (`.github/copilot-instructions.md` or `AGENTS.m - Potential pitfalls or common development environment issues - Key files/directories that exemplify patterns + Also inventory existing documentation (`docs/**/*.md`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`, `ARCHITECTURE.md`, etc.) to identify topics that should be linked, not duplicated. + 3. **Generate or merge** - New file: Use template from workspace-instructions.md, include only relevant sections - Existing file: Preserve valuable content, update outdated sections, remove duplication + - Follow the **Link, don't embed** principle from workspace-instructions.md 4. **Iterate** - Ask for feedback on unclear or incomplete sections diff --git a/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/agent-customization/references/workspace-instructions.md b/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/agent-customization/references/workspace-instructions.md index b9022beb419..e2857a655aa 100644 --- a/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/agent-customization/references/workspace-instructions.md +++ b/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/agent-customization/references/workspace-instructions.md @@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ For large repos, link to detailed docs instead of embedding: `See docs/TESTING.m 1. **Minimal by default**: Only what's relevant to *every* task 2. **Concise and actionable**: Every line should guide behavior -3. **Link, don't embed**: Reference docs instead of copying +3. **Link, don't embed**: Reference docs instead of copying content. Search for existing docs (`docs/**/*.md`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`, etc.) and catalog what they cover—only inline agent-critical gotchas not documented elsewhere 4. **Keep current**: Update when practices change ## Anti-patterns