GitHub Copilot: `.github/copilot-instructions.md` location, format and template

Where GitHub Copilot reads project instructions, whether it reads AGENTS.md, and what the format allows. From the official documentation, checked Oct 7, 2026. See also GitHub Copilot: pricing, popularity and alternatives.

Project files

.github/copilot-instructions.md for the whole repository
.github/instructions/*.instructions.md with an applyTo glob for specific files
AGENTS.md (the nearest one wins) for the Copilot coding agent; VS Code reads it too

Global (all projects)

Personal and organization instructions on GitHub.com; in VS Code, instruction files in your profile

AGENTS.md

✓ Yes. In VS Code it is the chat.useAgentsMdFile setting; nested AGENTS.md files are experimental and off by default.

Format and limits

Front matter of .instructions.md: applyTo (comma-separated globs), and in VS Code description and name.
On GitHub.com, excludeAgent: "code-review" or "cloud-agent" keeps a file from one of them.
Code review reads the instructions from the pull request's head branch.

Sources: docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/configure-custom-instruc… · code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/custom-ins…

Templates

Repository instructions for GitHub Copilot.github/copilot-instructions.md

This is a Next.js app written in TypeScript.

- Build with `pnpm build`; test with `pnpm test`.
- Put shared logic in `src/lib/`, never in components.
- Prefer server components; add "use client" only when needed.
- In pull requests, explain the why, and list anything that still needs a human check.

Copilot instructions for test files only.github/instructions/tests.instructions.md

---
applyTo: "**/*.test.ts,**/*.spec.ts"
---

- Use Vitest's `describe` and `it`.
- One behaviour per test, named after the behaviour.
- Mock network calls; never call real APIs from tests.

AGENTS.md for a TypeScript projectAGENTS.md

# AGENTS.md

## Project
One paragraph: what this repository does and who uses it.

## Commands
- Install: `pnpm install`
- Dev server: `pnpm dev`
- Tests: `pnpm test` (run before you finish)
- Lint and types: `pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck`

## Layout
- `src/app/`: routes and pages
- `src/lib/`: shared logic, no UI code
- `tests/`: mirrors `src/`

## Conventions
- TypeScript strict mode; avoid `any`.
- Follow the patterns already in `src/` before adding new ones.
- Small, focused functions; name things for what they do.

## Boundaries
- Never read or edit `.env*` files or commit secrets.
- Ask before adding a dependency or changing a public API.

## Done means
Tests pass, lint is clean, and the change is explained in the PR description.

Written by AgentGid as a starting point; swap in your own commands and folders.

GitHub Copilot: .github/copilot-instructions.md location, format and template