# Context Engineering Tools and techniques for maximizing GitHub Copilot effectiveness through better context management. Includes guidelines for structuring code, an agent for planning multi-file changes, and prompts for context-aware development. **Tags:** context, productivity, refactoring, best-practices, architecture ## Items in this Collection | Title | Type | Description | MCP Servers | | ----- | ---- | ----------- | ----------- | | [Context Engineering](../instructions/context-engineering.instructions.md)
[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcontext-engineering.instructions.md)
[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcontext-engineering.instructions.md) | Instruction | Guidelines for structuring code and projects to maximize GitHub Copilot effectiveness through better context management | | | [Context Architect](../agents/context-architect.agent.md)
[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fcontext-architect.agent.md)
[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fcontext-architect.agent.md) | Agent | An agent that helps plan and execute multi-file changes by identifying relevant context and dependencies [see usage](#context-architect) | | | [Context Map](../prompts/context-map.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Fcontext-map.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Fcontext-map.prompt.md) | Prompt | Generate a map of all files relevant to a task before making changes [see usage](#context-map) | | | [What Context Do You Need?](../prompts/what-context-needed.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Fwhat-context-needed.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Fwhat-context-needed.prompt.md) | Prompt | Ask Copilot what files it needs to see before answering a question [see usage](#what-context-do-you-need?) | | | [Refactor Plan](../prompts/refactor-plan.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Frefactor-plan.prompt.md)
[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/prompt?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-prompt%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fprompts%2Frefactor-plan.prompt.md) | Prompt | Plan a multi-file refactor with proper sequencing and rollback steps [see usage](#refactor-plan) | | ## Collection Usage ### Context Architect recommended The Context Architect agent helps plan multi-file changes by mapping dependencies and identifying all relevant files before making modifications. Use this agent when: - Planning refactors that span multiple files - Adding features that touch several modules - Investigating unfamiliar parts of the codebase Example usage: ``` @context-architect I need to add rate limiting to all API endpoints. What files are involved and what's the best approach? ``` For best results: - Describe the high-level goal, not just the immediate task - Let the agent search before you provide files - Review the context map before approving changes --- ### Context Map optional Use before any significant change to understand the blast radius. Produces a structured map of files, dependencies, and tests. --- ### What Context Do You Need? optional Use when Copilot gives a generic or incorrect answer. Asks Copilot to explicitly list what files it needs to see. --- ### Refactor Plan optional Use for multi-file refactors. Produces a phased plan with verification steps and rollback procedures. --- *This collection includes 5 curated items for **Context Engineering**.*