suggest-awesome-github-copilot-instructions
Suggests instructions for GitHub Copilot. Helps find and update useful instruction files for your project.
What it does
This tool helps you find and update the best instructions for using GitHub Copilot in your project. It compares the instructions you already have with the latest ones available in an official repository, suggesting which ones to install or update.
When to use it
- ✓When starting a new project and wanting to set up Copilot.
- ✓When you notice Copilot isn't giving useful suggestions.
- ✓When updating your project and wanting to ensure Copilot instructions are current.
Example of what to ask your AI
“Check for new Copilot instructions or if current ones need updating.”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
The tool first checks which instructions you already have. Then, it fetches the latest instructions from a public repository and compares them to yours. It shows which are new, which are outdated, and why.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill suggest-awesome-github-copilot-instructionsOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/suggest-awesome-github-copilot-instructions/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
Suggest Awesome GitHub Copilot Instructions
Analyze current repository context and suggest relevant copilot-instruction files from the GitHub awesome-copilot repository that are not already available in this repository.
Process
- Fetch Available Instructions: Extract instruction list and descriptions from awesome-copilot README.instructions.md. Must use
#fetchtool. - Scan Local Instructions: Discover existing instruction files in
.github/instructions/folder - Extract Descriptions: Read front matter from local instruction files to get descriptions and
applyTopatterns - Fetch Remote Versions: For each local instruction, fetch the corresponding version from awesome-copilot repository using raw GitHub URLs (e.g.,
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/instructions/<filename>) - Compare Versions: Compare local instruction content with remote versions to identify:
- Instructions that are up-to-date (exact match)
- Instructions that are outdated (content differs)
- Key differences in outdated instructions (description, applyTo patterns, content)
- Analyze Context: Review chat history, repository files, and current project needs
- Compare Existing: Check against instructions already available in this repository
- Match Relevance: Compare available instructions against identified patterns and requirements
- Present Options: Display relevant instructions with descriptions, rationale, and availability status including outdated instructions
- Validate: Ensure suggested instructions would add value not already covered by existing instructions
- Output: Provide structured table with suggestions, descriptions, and links to both awesome-copilot instructions and similar local instructions AWAIT user request to proceed with installation or updates of specific instructions. DO NOT INSTALL OR UPDATE UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO.
- Download/Update Assets: For requested instructions, automatically:
- Download new instructions to
.github/instructions/folder - Update outdated instructions by replacing with latest version from awesome-copilot
- Do NOT adjust content of the files
- Use
#fetchtool to download assets, but may usecurlusing#runInTerminaltool to ensure all content is retrieved - Use
#todostool to track progress
- Download new instructions to
Context Analysis Criteria
🔍 Repository Patterns:
- Programming languages used (.cs, .js, .py, .ts, etc.)
- Framework indicators (ASP.NET, React, Azure, Next.js, etc.)
- Project types (web apps, APIs, libraries, tools)
- Development workflow requirements (testing, CI/CD, deployment)
🗨️ Chat History Context:
- Recent discussions and pain points
- Technology-specific questions
- Coding standards discussions
- Development workflow requirements
Output Format
Display analysis results in structured table comparing awesome-copilot instructions with existing repository instructions:
| Awesome-Copilot Instruction | Description | Already Installed | Similar Local Instruction | Suggestion Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| blazor.instructions.md | Blazor development guidelines | ✅ Yes | blazor.instructions.md | Already covered by existing Blazor instructions |
| reactjs.instructions.md | ReactJS development standards | ❌ No | None | Would enhance React development with established patterns |
| java.instructions.md | Java development best practices | ⚠️ Outdated | java.instructions.md | applyTo pattern differs: remote uses '**/*.java' vs local '*.java' - Update recommended |
Local Instructions Discovery Process
- List all
*.instructions.mdfiles in theinstructions/directory - For each discovered file, read front matter to extract
descriptionandapplyTopatterns - Build comprehensive inventory of existing instructions with their applicable file patterns
- Use this inventory to avoid suggesting duplicates
…
FAQ
What are GitHub Copilot 'instructions'?
These are files that guide Copilot on how it should help you write code, defining standards and best practices for your project.
What is the 'awesome-copilot' repository?
It's an official community-maintained collection of examples and best practices for GitHub Copilot instructions.
Does the tool install instructions automatically?
No, it only suggests updates or new instructions. You need to ask it to install or update them.
Details
Original description by the author
Suggest relevant GitHub Copilot instruction files from the awesome-copilot repository based on current repository context and chat history, avoiding duplicates with existing instructions in this repository, and identifying outdated instructions that need updates.
repo: github/awesome-copilot
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 40k
- Ranking position
- #5385
- License
- MIT
- Updated
- 10/15/2026
Comments
- …
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