Skip to content

GitHub Copilot Formatter

Property Value
Tier Custom
Main output .github/copilot-instructions.md
Dot directory .github/
Skills Yes (.github/skills/<name>/SKILL.md)
Agents Yes (.github/agents/<name>.md)
Commands Yes (.github/prompts/<name>.prompt.md)
Local files No

Output Files

File Path Purpose
Main instructions .github/copilot-instructions.md Primary rule file
Skills .github/skills/<name>/SKILL.md Reusable skill definitions
Prompts .github/prompts/<name>.prompt.md Slash commands
Agents .github/agents/<name>.md Agent configurations
Agents index AGENTS.md Top-level agents file

Supported Features

Feature Supported
Markdown Output Yes
MDC Format No
Code Blocks Yes
Mermaid Diagrams Yes
Single File Output Yes
Multiple Rule Files Yes
Workflow Files No
Nested Directory Structure No
YAML Frontmatter Yes
Description in Frontmatter No
Globs in Frontmatter Yes
Activation Type No
Glob Pattern Targeting Yes
Always Apply Rules Yes
Manual Activation No
Auto/Model Activation No
Character Limit Validation Planned
Content Section Splitting Yes
Context File Inclusion No
@-Mentions No
Tool Integration No
Path-Specific Rules Yes
Prompt Files Yes
Slash Commands Yes
Skills Yes
Agent Instructions Yes
Local Memory No
Nested Memory No

Limitations & Quirks

  • Three output modes: simple (single file), multifile (path-specific instructions + prompts), full (+ skills, agents, AGENTS.md)
  • Path-specific instructions use applyTo frontmatter for glob targeting
  • Prompt files (.github/prompts/*.prompt.md) support agent mode with mode: agent and tools list
  • Skills go to .github/skills/<name>/SKILL.md with YAML frontmatter
  • Agents go to .github/agents/<name>.md + top-level AGENTS.md
  • @shortcuts with prompt: true become prompt files; without prompt they become instruction files

Example Output

project-root/
├── .github/
│   ├── copilot-instructions.md        # Main instructions
│   ├── instructions/
│   │   └── frontend.instructions.md   # Path-specific (applyTo globs)
│   ├── prompts/
│   │   └── review.prompt.md           # Slash command / prompt
│   ├── skills/
│   │   └── my-skill/
│   │       └── SKILL.md               # Skill definition
│   └── agents/
│       └── reviewer.md                # Agent config
└── AGENTS.md                          # Top-level agents file

Official Documentation