Create File-Based Instructions

This skill helps you scaffold VS Code file-based instructions (.instructions.md files) that provide background knowledge to Copilot about specific parts of the codebase. These files are applied automatically based on glob patterns or semantic matching, giving Copilot domain-specific context when working on matching files.

When Not to Use

Setting project-wide instructions — use .github/copilot-instructions.md or AGENTS.md instead
Creating reusable agent workflows with structured steps — use Agent Skills instead
Adding instructions that need to be invokable on demand — use Agent Skills instead

Workflow

Step 1: Investigate the topic

Build understanding of the area the instructions should cover. Identify:

What files or file patterns the instructions apply to

Create File-Based Instructions

When Not to Use

Setting project-wide instructions — use .github/copilot-instructions.md or AGENTS.md instead
Creating reusable agent workflows with structured steps — use Agent Skills instead
Adding instructions that need to be invokable on demand — use Agent Skills instead

Workflow

Step 1: Investigate the topic

Build understanding of the area the instructions should cover. Identify:

What files or file patterns the instructions apply to

Make Instructions

Create File-Based Instructions

When Not to Use

Workflow

Step 1: Investigate the topic

Make Instructions

Create File-Based Instructions

When Not to Use

Workflow

Step 1: Investigate the topic

Step 2: Choose the file location

Step 3: Generate the file with YAML frontmatter

My Workflow

Create Instructions

Init

Everything Claude Code Conventions

Codebase Onboarding

Ui Demo