Simplify workflows to flat .md files instead of folders

Workflows are now standalone .md files in workflows/ — no subfolders
or README.md needed. Each file contains both the metadata frontmatter
(name, description, triggers, tags) and the agentic workflow definition
(on, permissions, safe-outputs) in a single file.

Updated all build scripts, CI workflows, docs, and review checklists.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

.github/workflows/validate-agentic-workflows.yml

@@ -27,11 +27,9 @@ jobs:
           exit_code=0
           found=0
 
-          # Find all .md files in workflows/ subfolders (excluding README.md)
+          # Find all .md files directly in workflows/
-          for workflow_file in workflows/*/*.md; do
+          for workflow_file in workflows/*.md; do
             [ -f "$workflow_file" ] || continue
-            basename=$(basename "$workflow_file")
-            [ "$basename" = "README.md" ] && continue
 
             found=$((found + 1))
             echo "::group::Compiling $workflow_file"
@@ -45,7 +43,7 @@ jobs:
           done
 
           if [ "$found" -eq 0 ]; then
-            echo "No workflow .md files found to validate (README.md files are excluded)."
+            echo "No workflow .md files found to validate."
           else
             echo "Validated $found workflow file(s)."
           fi

AGENTS.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ The Awesome GitHub Copilot repository is a community-driven collection of custom
 ├── instructions/     # Coding standards and guidelines (.instructions.md files)
 ├── skills/           # Agent Skills folders (each with SKILL.md and optional bundled assets)
 ├── hooks/            # Automated workflow hooks (folders with README.md + hooks.json)
-├── workflows/        # Agentic Workflows (folders with README.md + workflow .md files)
+├── workflows/        # Agentic Workflows (.md files for GitHub Actions automation)
 ├── plugins/          # Installable plugin packages (folders with plugin.json)
 ├── docs/             # Documentation for different resource types
 ├── eng/              # Build and automation scripts
@@ -98,14 +98,14 @@ All agent files (`*.agent.md`), prompt files (`*.prompt.md`), and instruction fi
 - Follow the [GitHub Copilot hooks specification](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/coding-agent/use-hooks)
 - Optionally includes `tags` field for categorization
 
-#### Workflow Folders (workflows/*/README.md)
+#### Workflow Files (workflows/*.md)
-- Each workflow is a folder containing a `README.md` file with frontmatter and one or more `.md` workflow files
+- Each workflow is a standalone `.md` file in the `workflows/` directory
-- README.md must have `name` field (human-readable name)
+- Must have `name` field (human-readable name)
-- README.md must have `description` field (wrapped in single quotes, not empty)
+- Must have `description` field (wrapped in single quotes, not empty)
-- README.md should have `triggers` field (array of trigger types, e.g., `['schedule', 'issues']`)
+- Should have `triggers` field (array of trigger types, e.g., `['schedule', 'issues']`)
-- Workflow `.md` files contain YAML frontmatter (`on`, `permissions`, `safe-outputs`) and natural language instructions
+- Contains agentic workflow frontmatter (`on`, `permissions`, `safe-outputs`) and natural language instructions
-- Folder names should be lower case with words separated by hyphens
+- File names should be lower case with words separated by hyphens
-- Can include bundled assets (scripts, configuration files)
+- Only `.md` files are accepted — `.yml`, `.yaml`, and `.lock.yml` files are blocked by CI
 - Optionally includes `tags` field for categorization
 - Follow the [GitHub Agentic Workflows specification](https://github.github.com/gh-aw)
 
@@ -139,12 +139,11 @@ When adding a new agent, prompt, instruction, skill, hook, workflow, or plugin:
 
 
 **For Workflows:**
-1. Create a new folder in `workflows/` with a descriptive name
+1. Create a new `.md` file in `workflows/` with a descriptive name (e.g., `daily-issues-report.md`)
-2. Create `README.md` with proper frontmatter (name, description, triggers, tags)
+2. Include frontmatter with `name`, `description`, `triggers`, plus agentic workflow fields (`on`, `permissions`, `safe-outputs`)
-3. Add one or more `.md` workflow files with `on`, `permissions`, and `safe-outputs` frontmatter
+3. Compile with `gh aw compile --validate` to verify it's valid
-4. Add any bundled scripts or assets to the folder
+4. Update the README.md by running: `npm run build`
-5. Update the README.md by running: `npm run build`
+5. Verify the workflow appears in the generated README
-6. Verify the workflow appears in the generated README
 
 
 **For Skills:**
@@ -263,14 +262,15 @@ For hook folders (hooks/*/):
 - [ ] Follows [GitHub Copilot hooks specification](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/coding-agent/use-hooks)
 - [ ] Optionally includes `tags` array field for categorization
 
-For workflow folders (workflows/*/):
+For workflow files (workflows/*.md):
-- [ ] Folder contains a README.md file with markdown front matter
+- [ ] File has markdown front matter
 - [ ] Has `name` field with human-readable name
 - [ ] Has non-empty `description` field wrapped in single quotes
 - [ ] Has `triggers` array field listing workflow trigger types
-- [ ] Folder name is lower case with hyphens
+- [ ] File name is lower case with hyphens
-- [ ] Contains at least one `.md` workflow file with `on` and `permissions` in frontmatter
+- [ ] Contains `on` and `permissions` in frontmatter
 - [ ] Workflow uses least-privilege permissions and safe outputs
+- [ ] No `.yml`, `.yaml`, or `.lock.yml` files included
 - [ ] Follows [GitHub Agentic Workflows specification](https://github.github.com/gh-aw)
 - [ ] Optionally includes `tags` array field for categorization
 

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -165,21 +165,14 @@ plugins/my-plugin-id/
 
 [Agentic Workflows](https://github.github.com/gh-aw) are AI-powered repository automations that run coding agents in GitHub Actions. Defined in markdown with natural language instructions, they enable scheduled and event-triggered automation with built-in guardrails.
 
-1. **Create a new workflow folder**: Add a new folder in the `workflows/` directory with a descriptive name (e.g., `daily-issues-report`)
+1. **Create your workflow file**: Add a new `.md` file in the `workflows/` directory (e.g., `daily-issues-report.md`)
-2. **Create a `README.md`**: Add a `README.md` with frontmatter containing `name`, `description`, `triggers`, and optionally `tags`
+2. **Include frontmatter**: Add `name`, `description`, `triggers`, and optionally `tags` at the top, followed by agentic workflow frontmatter (`on`, `permissions`, `safe-outputs`) and natural language instructions
-3. **Add workflow files**: Include one or more `.md` workflow files with YAML frontmatter (`on`, `permissions`, `safe-outputs`) and natural language instructions
+3. **Test locally**: Compile with `gh aw compile --validate` to verify it's valid
-4. **Add optional assets**: Include any helper scripts or configuration files referenced by the workflow
+4. **Update the README**: Run `npm run build` to update the generated README tables
-5. **Update the README**: Run `npm run build` to update the generated README tables
 
-#### Workflow folder structure
+> **Note:** Only `.md` files are accepted — do not include compiled `.lock.yml` or `.yml` files. CI will block them.
 
-```
+#### Workflow file example
-workflows/daily-issues-report/
-├── README.md                    # Workflow documentation with frontmatter
-└── daily-issues-report.md       # Agentic workflow file
-```
-
-#### README.md frontmatter example
 
 ```markdown
 ---
@@ -187,13 +180,6 @@ name: 'Daily Issues Report'
 description: 'Generates a daily summary of open issues and recent activity as a GitHub issue'
 triggers: ['schedule']
 tags: ['reporting', 'issues', 'automation']
----
-```
-
-#### Workflow file example
-
-```markdown
----
 on:
   schedule: daily on weekdays
 permissions:
@@ -220,9 +206,9 @@ Create a daily summary of open issues for the team.
 
 - **Security first**: Use least-privilege permissions and safe outputs instead of direct write access
 - **Clear instructions**: Write clear natural language instructions in the workflow body
-- **Descriptive names**: Use lowercase folder names with hyphens
+- **Descriptive names**: Use lowercase filenames with hyphens (e.g., `daily-issues-report.md`)
-- **Test locally**: Use `gh aw run` to test workflows before contributing
+- **Test locally**: Use `gh aw compile --validate` to verify your workflow compiles
-- **Documentation**: Include a thorough README explaining what the workflow does and how to use it
+- **No compiled files**: Only submit the `.md` source — `.lock.yml` and `.yml` files are not accepted
 - Learn more at the [Agentic Workflows documentation](https://github.github.com/gh-aw)
 
 ## Submitting Your Contribution

docs/README.workflows.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 ### How to Use Agentic Workflows
 
 **What's Included:**
-- Each workflow is a folder containing a `README.md` and one or more `.md` workflow files
+- Each workflow is a single `.md` file with YAML frontmatter and natural language instructions
 - Workflows are compiled to `.lock.yml` GitHub Actions files via `gh aw compile`
 - Workflows follow the [GitHub Agentic Workflows specification](https://github.github.com/gh-aw)
 

eng/constants.mjs

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ Hooks enable automated workflows triggered by specific events during GitHub Copi
   workflowsUsage: `### How to Use Agentic Workflows
 
 **What's Included:**
-- Each workflow is a folder containing a \`README.md\` and one or more \`.md\` workflow files
+- Each workflow is a single \`.md\` file with YAML frontmatter and natural language instructions
 - Workflows are compiled to \`.lock.yml\` GitHub Actions files via \`gh aw compile\`
 - Workflows follow the [GitHub Agentic Workflows specification](https://github.github.com/gh-aw)
 

eng/generate-website-data.mjs

@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ function generateHooksData(gitDates) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Generate workflows metadata (folder-based, similar to hooks)
+ * Generate workflows metadata (flat .md files)
  */
 function generateWorkflowsData(gitDates) {
   const workflows = [];
@@ -210,37 +210,34 @@ function generateWorkflowsData(gitDates) {
     };
   }
 
-  const workflowFolders = fs.readdirSync(WORKFLOWS_DIR).filter((file) => {
+  const workflowFiles = fs.readdirSync(WORKFLOWS_DIR).filter((file) => {
-    const filePath = path.join(WORKFLOWS_DIR, file);
+    return file.endsWith(".md") && file !== ".gitkeep";
-    return fs.statSync(filePath).isDirectory();
   });
 
   const allTriggers = new Set();
   const allTags = new Set();
 
-  for (const folder of workflowFolders) {
+  for (const file of workflowFiles) {
-    const workflowPath = path.join(WORKFLOWS_DIR, folder);
+    const filePath = path.join(WORKFLOWS_DIR, file);
-    const metadata = parseWorkflowMetadata(workflowPath);
+    const metadata = parseWorkflowMetadata(filePath);
     if (!metadata) continue;
 
     const relativePath = path
-      .relative(ROOT_FOLDER, workflowPath)
+      .relative(ROOT_FOLDER, filePath)
       .replace(/\\/g, "/");
-    const readmeRelativePath = `${relativePath}/README.md`;
 
     (metadata.triggers || []).forEach((t) => allTriggers.add(t));
     (metadata.tags || []).forEach((t) => allTags.add(t));
 
+    const id = path.basename(file, ".md");
     workflows.push({
-      id: folder,
+      id,
       title: metadata.name,
       description: metadata.description,
       triggers: metadata.triggers || [],
       tags: metadata.tags || [],
-      assets: metadata.assets || [],
       path: relativePath,
-      readmeFile: readmeRelativePath,
+      lastUpdated: gitDates.get(relativePath) || null,
-      lastUpdated: gitDates.get(readmeRelativePath) || null,
     });
   }
 
@@ -735,7 +732,7 @@ function generateSearchIndex(
       id: workflow.id,
       title: workflow.title,
       description: workflow.description,
-      path: workflow.readmeFile,
+      path: workflow.path,
       lastUpdated: workflow.lastUpdated,
       searchText: `${workflow.title} ${workflow.description} ${workflow.triggers.join(
         " "

eng/update-readme.mjs

@@ -588,26 +588,24 @@ function generateWorkflowsSection(workflowsDir) {
     return "";
   }
 
-  // Get all workflow folders (directories)
+  // Get all .md workflow files (flat, no subfolders)
-  const workflowFolders = fs.readdirSync(workflowsDir).filter((file) => {
+  const workflowFiles = fs.readdirSync(workflowsDir).filter((file) => {
-    const filePath = path.join(workflowsDir, file);
+    return file.endsWith(".md") && file !== ".gitkeep";
-    return fs.statSync(filePath).isDirectory();
   });
 
-  // Parse each workflow folder
+  // Parse each workflow file
-  const workflowEntries = workflowFolders
+  const workflowEntries = workflowFiles
-    .map((folder) => {
+    .map((file) => {
-      const workflowPath = path.join(workflowsDir, folder);
+      const filePath = path.join(workflowsDir, file);
-      const metadata = parseWorkflowMetadata(workflowPath);
+      const metadata = parseWorkflowMetadata(filePath);
       if (!metadata) return null;
 
       return {
-        folder,
+        file,
         name: metadata.name,
         description: metadata.description,
         triggers: metadata.triggers,
         tags: metadata.tags,
-        assets: metadata.assets,
       };
     })
     .filter((entry) => entry !== null)
@@ -621,20 +619,16 @@ function generateWorkflowsSection(workflowsDir) {
 
   // Create table header
   let content =
-    "| Name | Description | Triggers | Bundled Assets |\n| ---- | ----------- | -------- | -------------- |\n";
+    "| Name | Description | Triggers |\n| ---- | ----------- | -------- |\n";
 
   // Generate table rows for each workflow
   for (const workflow of workflowEntries) {
-    const link = `../workflows/${workflow.folder}/README.md`;
+    const link = `../workflows/${workflow.file}`;
     const triggers = workflow.triggers.length > 0 ? workflow.triggers.join(", ") : "N/A";
-    const assetsList =
-      workflow.assets.length > 0
-        ? workflow.assets.map((a) => `\`${a}\``).join("<br />")
-        : "None";
 
     content += `| [${workflow.name}](${link}) | ${formatTableCell(
       workflow.description
-    )} | ${triggers} | ${assetsList} |\n`;
+    )} | ${triggers} |\n`;
   }
 
   return `${TEMPLATES.workflowsSection}\n${TEMPLATES.workflowsUsage}\n\n${content}`;

eng/yaml-parser.mjs

@@ -254,24 +254,23 @@ function parseHookMetadata(hookPath) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Parse workflow metadata from a workflow folder
+ * Parse workflow metadata from a standalone .md workflow file
- * @param {string} workflowPath - Path to the workflow folder
+ * @param {string} filePath - Path to the workflow .md file
  * @returns {object|null} Workflow metadata or null on error
  */
-function parseWorkflowMetadata(workflowPath) {
+function parseWorkflowMetadata(filePath) {
   return safeFileOperation(
     () => {
-      const readmeFile = path.join(workflowPath, "README.md");
+      if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
-      if (!fs.existsSync(readmeFile)) {
         return null;
       }
 
-      const frontmatter = parseFrontmatter(readmeFile);
+      const frontmatter = parseFrontmatter(filePath);
 
       // Validate required fields
       if (!frontmatter?.name || !frontmatter?.description) {
         console.warn(
-          `Invalid workflow at ${workflowPath}: missing name or description in frontmatter`
+          `Invalid workflow at ${filePath}: missing name or description in frontmatter`
         );
         return null;
       }
@@ -279,37 +278,15 @@ function parseWorkflowMetadata(workflowPath) {
       // Extract triggers from frontmatter if present
       const triggers = frontmatter.triggers || [];
 
-      // List bundled assets (all files except README.md), recursing through subdirectories
-      const getAllFiles = (dirPath, arrayOfFiles = []) => {
-        const files = fs.readdirSync(dirPath);
-
-        files.forEach((file) => {
-          const filePath = path.join(dirPath, file);
-          if (fs.statSync(filePath).isDirectory()) {
-            arrayOfFiles = getAllFiles(filePath, arrayOfFiles);
-          } else {
-            const relativePath = path.relative(workflowPath, filePath);
-            if (relativePath !== "README.md") {
-              arrayOfFiles.push(relativePath.replace(/\\/g, "/"));
-            }
-          }
-        });
-
-        return arrayOfFiles;
-      };
-
-      const assets = getAllFiles(workflowPath).sort();
-
       return {
         name: frontmatter.name,
         description: frontmatter.description,
         triggers,
         tags: frontmatter.tags || [],
-        assets,
+        path: filePath,
-        path: workflowPath,
       };
     },
-    workflowPath,
+    filePath,
     null
   );
 }