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docs: replace prompts with skills across Learning Hub
Replace all prompt file references with skills guidance throughout the Learning Hub. Skills are the preferred customization primitive because they support agent discovery via extended frontmatter, can bundle reference files and scripts, and are portable across coding agent systems via the Agent Skills specification. - Create what-are-agents-skills-instructions.md (replaces prompts article) - Create creating-effective-skills.md (replaces prompts tutorial) - Delete what-are-agents-prompts-instructions.md and creating-effective-prompts.md - Update copilot-configuration-basics.md directory structure and examples - Update defining-custom-instructions.md comparisons and cross-references - Update glossary: deprecate Prompt entry, add Skill definition - Update understanding-copilot-context.md and before-after examples - Update learning-hub index.astro slugs Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
This commit is contained in:
Aaron Powell
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ tags:
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- terminology
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- reference
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relatedArticles:
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- ./what-are-agents-prompts-instructions.md
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- ./what-are-agents-skills-instructions.md
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- ./copilot-configuration-basics.md
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---
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# GitHub Copilot Terminology Glossary
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New to GitHub Copilot customization? This glossary defines common terms you'll encounter while exploring agents, prompts, instructions, and related concepts in the Awesome GitHub Copilot ecosystem.
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New to GitHub Copilot customization? This glossary defines common terms you'll encounter while exploring agents, skills, instructions, and related concepts in the Awesome GitHub Copilot ecosystem.
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Use this page as a quick reference when reading articles in the Learning Hub or browsing the repository.
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@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ A specialized configuration file (`*.agent.md`) that defines a GitHub Copilot pe
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**When to use**: For recurring workflows that benefit from deep tooling integrations and persistent conversational context.
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Prompts, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-prompts-instructions/)
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Skills, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-skills-instructions/)
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---
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@@ -56,9 +56,9 @@ Previously, "chat mode" was an alternative term for [Agent](#agent) that describ
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**Note**: Collections are a concept specific to the Awesome GitHub Copilot repository and are not part of standard GitHub Copilot terminology.
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A curated grouping of related prompts, instructions, and agents organized around a specific theme or workflow. Collections are defined in YAML files (`*.collection.yml`) in the `collections/` directory and help users discover related customizations together.
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A curated grouping of related skills, instructions, and agents organized around a specific theme or workflow. Collections are defined in YAML files (`*.collection.yml`) in the `collections/` directory and help users discover related customizations together.
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**Example**: The "Awesome Copilot" collection bundles meta-prompts for discovering and generating GitHub Copilot customizations.
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**Example**: The "Awesome Copilot" collection bundles meta-skills for discovering and generating GitHub Copilot customizations.
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**Learn more**: [Collections README](../../docs/README.collections.md)
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@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ The front matter is what controls:
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- **Model selection**: Which AI model powers the customization
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- **Scope**: Where the customization applies (e.g., `applyTo` patterns for instructions)
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**Note**: Not all fields are common across all customization types. Refer to the specific documentation for agents, prompts, or instructions to see which fields apply to each type.
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**Note**: Not all fields are common across all customization types. Refer to the specific documentation for agents, skills, or instructions to see which fields apply to each type.
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**Example**:
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```yaml
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@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ tools: ['codebase']
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---
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```
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**Used in**: Prompts, agents, instructions, and Learning Hub articles.
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**Used in**: Skills, agents, instructions, and Learning Hub articles.
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---
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@@ -126,11 +126,11 @@ A configuration file (`*.instructions.md`) that provides persistent background c
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**When to use**: For long-lived guidance that applies across many sessions, like coding standards or compliance requirements.
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Prompts, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-prompts-instructions/), [Defining Custom Instructions](/learning-hub/defining-custom-instructions/)
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Skills, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-skills-instructions/), [Defining Custom Instructions](/learning-hub/defining-custom-instructions/)
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---
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## Prompts & Interactions
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## Skills & Interactions
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### Persona
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@@ -144,13 +144,28 @@ The identity, tone, and behavioral characteristics defined for an [Agent](#agent
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### Prompt
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A reusable chat template (`*.prompt.md`) that captures a specific task or workflow. Prompts define the message content Copilot should execute and can include mode hints, model preferences, and tool recommendations. They're invoked using the `/` command in GitHub Copilot Chat.
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**Deprecated** — Prompts (`*.prompt.md`) were reusable chat templates that captured specific tasks or workflows, invoked using the `/` command in GitHub Copilot Chat. Prompts have been superseded by [Skills](#skill), which offer the same slash-command invocation plus agent discovery, bundled assets, and cross-platform portability.
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**Example**: `/create-readme` might execute a prompt that generates comprehensive README documentation.
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If you have existing prompts, consider migrating them to skills. See [Creating Effective Skills](/learning-hub/creating-effective-skills/) for guidance.
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**When to use**: For standardizing how Copilot responds to recurring tasks without needing long-lived conversational state.
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**See**: [Skill](#skill)
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Prompts, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-prompts-instructions/), [Creating Effective Prompts](/learning-hub/creating-effective-prompts/)
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---
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### Skill
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A self-contained folder containing a `SKILL.md` file and optional bundled assets (reference documents, templates, scripts) that packages a reusable capability for GitHub Copilot. Skills follow the open [Agent Skills specification](https://agentskills.io/home) and can be invoked by users via `/command` or discovered and invoked by agents automatically.
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**Key advantages**:
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- **Agent discovery**: Extended frontmatter lets agents find and invoke skills automatically
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- **Bundled assets**: Reference files, templates, and scripts provide richer context
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- **Cross-platform**: Portable across coding agent systems via the Agent Skills specification
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**Example**: A `/generate-tests` skill might include a `SKILL.md` with testing instructions, a `references/test-patterns.md` with common patterns, and a `templates/test-template.ts` starter file.
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**When to use**: For standardizing how Copilot responds to recurring tasks, especially when bundled resources improve quality.
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**Learn more**: [What are Agents, Skills, and Instructions](/learning-hub/what-are-agents-skills-instructions/), [Creating Effective Skills](/learning-hub/creating-effective-skills/)
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---
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@@ -175,7 +190,7 @@ Capabilities that GitHub Copilot can invoke to perform actions or retrieve infor
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1. **Built-in tools**: Native capabilities like `codebase` (code search), `terminalCommand` (running commands), and `web` (web search)
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2. **MCP tools**: External integrations provided by MCP servers (e.g., database queries, cloud resource management, or API calls)
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Agents and prompts can specify which tools they require or recommend in their front matter.
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Agents and skills can specify which tools they require or recommend in their front matter.
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**Example front matter**:
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```yaml
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