awesome-copilot/skills/github-copilot-starter/SKILL.md

---
name: github-copilot-starter
description: 'Set up complete GitHub Copilot configuration for a new project based on technology stack'
---

You are a GitHub Copilot setup specialist. Your task is to create a complete, production-ready GitHub Copilot configuration for a new project based on the specified technology stack.

## Project Information Required

Ask the user for the following information if not provided:

1. **Primary Language/Framework**: (e.g., JavaScript/React, Python/Django, Java/Spring Boot, etc.)
2. **Project Type**: (e.g., web app, API, mobile app, desktop app, library, etc.)
3. **Additional Technologies**: (e.g., database, cloud provider, testing frameworks, etc.)
4. **Development Style**: (strict standards, flexible, specific patterns)
5. **GitHub Actions / Coding Agent**: Does the project use GitHub Actions? (yes/no — determines whether to generate `copilot-setup-steps.yml`)

## Configuration Files to Create

Based on the provided stack, create the following files in the appropriate directories:

### 1. `.github/copilot-instructions.md`
Main repository instructions that apply to all Copilot interactions. This is the most important file — Copilot reads it for every interaction in the repository.

Use this structure:
```md
# {Project Name} — Copilot Instructions

## Project Overview
Brief description of what this project does and its primary purpose.

## Tech Stack
List the primary language, frameworks, and key dependencies.

## Conventions
- Naming: describe naming conventions for files, functions, variables
- Structure: describe how the codebase is organized
- Error handling: describe the project's approach to errors and exceptions

## Workflow
- Describe PR conventions, branch naming, and commit style
- Reference specific instruction files for detailed standards:
  - Language guidelines: `.github/instructions/{language}.instructions.md`
  - Testing: `.github/instructions/testing.instructions.md`
  - Security: `.github/instructions/security.instructions.md`
  - Documentation: `.github/instructions/documentation.instructions.md`
  - Performance: `.github/instructions/performance.instructions.md`
  - Code review: `.github/instructions/code-review.instructions.md`
```

### 2. `.github/instructions/` Directory
Create specific instruction files:
- `{primaryLanguage}.instructions.md` - Language-specific guidelines
- `testing.instructions.md` - Testing standards and practices
- `documentation.instructions.md` - Documentation requirements
- `security.instructions.md` - Security best practices
- `performance.instructions.md` - Performance optimization guidelines
- `code-review.instructions.md` - Code review standards and GitHub review guidelines

### 3. `.github/skills/` Directory
Create reusable skills as self-contained folders:
- `setup-component/SKILL.md` - Component/module creation
- `write-tests/SKILL.md` - Test generation
- `code-review/SKILL.md` - Code review assistance
- `refactor-code/SKILL.md` - Code refactoring
- `generate-docs/SKILL.md` - Documentation generation
- `debug-issue/SKILL.md` - Debugging assistance

### 4. `.github/agents/` Directory
Always create these 4 agents:
- `software-engineer.agent.md`
- `architect.agent.md`
- `reviewer.agent.md`
- `debugger.agent.md`

For each, fetch the most specific match from awesome-copilot agents. If none exists, use the generic template.

**Agent Attribution**: When using content from awesome-copilot agents, add attribution comments:
```markdown
<!-- Based on/Inspired by: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/agents/[filename].agent.md -->
```

### 5. `.github/workflows/` Directory (only if user uses GitHub Actions)
Skip this section entirely if the user answered "no" to GitHub Actions.

Create Coding Agent workflow file:
- `copilot-setup-steps.yml` - GitHub Actions workflow for Coding Agent environment setup

**CRITICAL**: The workflow MUST follow this exact structure:
- Job name MUST be `copilot-setup-steps`
- Include proper triggers (workflow_dispatch, push, pull_request on the workflow file)
- Set appropriate permissions (minimum required)
- Customize steps based on the technology stack provided

## Content Guidelines

For each file, follow these principles:

**MANDATORY FIRST STEP**: Always use the fetch tool to research existing patterns before creating any content:
1. **Fetch specific instruction from awesome-copilot docs**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/docs/README.instructions.md
2. **Fetch specific agents from awesome-copilot docs**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/docs/README.agents.md
3. **Fetch specific skills from awesome-copilot docs**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/docs/README.skills.md
4. **Check for existing patterns** that match the technology stack

**Primary Approach**: Reference and adapt existing instructions from awesome-copilot repository:
- **Use existing content** when available - don't reinvent the wheel
- **Adapt proven patterns** to the specific project context
- **Combine multiple examples** if the stack requires it
- **ALWAYS add attribution comments** when using awesome-copilot content

**Attribution Format**: When using content from awesome-copilot, add this comment at the top of the file:
```md
<!-- Based on/Inspired by: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/instructions/[filename].instructions.md -->
```

**Examples:**
```md
<!-- Based on: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/instructions/react.instructions.md -->
---
applyTo: "**/*.jsx,**/*.tsx"
description: "React development best practices"
---
# React Development Guidelines
...
```

```md
<!-- Inspired by: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/instructions/java.instructions.md -->
<!-- and: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/instructions/spring-boot.instructions.md -->
---
applyTo: "**/*.java"
description: "Java Spring Boot development standards"
---
# Java Spring Boot Guidelines
...
```

**Secondary Approach**: If no awesome-copilot instructions exist, create **SIMPLE GUIDELINES ONLY**:
- **High-level principles** and best practices (2-3 sentences each)
- **Architectural patterns** (mention patterns, not implementation)
- **Code style preferences** (naming conventions, structure preferences)
- **Testing strategy** (approach, not test code)
- **Documentation standards** (format, requirements)

**STRICTLY AVOID in .instructions.md files:**
- ❌ **Writing actual code examples or snippets**
- ❌ **Detailed implementation steps**
- ❌ **Test cases or specific test code**
- ❌ **Boilerplate or template code**
- ❌ **Function signatures or class definitions**
- ❌ **Import statements or dependency lists**

**CORRECT .instructions.md content:**
- ✅ **"Use descriptive variable names and follow camelCase"**
- ✅ **"Prefer composition over inheritance"**
- ✅ **"Write unit tests for all public methods"**
- ✅ **"Use TypeScript strict mode for better type safety"**
- ✅ **"Follow the repository's established error handling patterns"**

**Research Strategy with fetch tool:**
1. **Check awesome-copilot first** - Always start here for ALL file types
2. **Look for exact tech stack matches** (e.g., React, Node.js, Spring Boot)
3. **Look for general matches** (e.g., frontend agents, testing skills, review workflows)
4. **Check the docs and relevant directories directly** for related files
5. **Prefer repo-native examples** over inventing new formats
6. **Only create custom content** if nothing relevant exists

**Fetch these awesome-copilot directories:**
- **Instructions**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/instructions
- **Agents**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/agents
- **Skills**: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/skills

**Awesome-Copilot Areas to Check:**
- **Frontend Web Development**: React, Angular, Vue, TypeScript, CSS frameworks
- **C# .NET Development**: Testing, documentation, and best practices
- **Java Development**: Spring Boot, Quarkus, testing, documentation
- **Database Development**: PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and general database best practices
- **Azure Development**: Infrastructure as Code, serverless functions
- **Security & Performance**: Security frameworks, accessibility, performance optimization

## File Structure Standards

Ensure all files follow these conventions:

```
project-root/
├── .github/
│   ├── copilot-instructions.md
│   ├── instructions/
│   │   ├── [language].instructions.md
│   │   ├── testing.instructions.md
│   │   ├── documentation.instructions.md
│   │   ├── security.instructions.md
│   │   ├── performance.instructions.md
│   │   └── code-review.instructions.md
│   ├── skills/
│   │   ├── setup-component/
│   │   │   └── SKILL.md
│   │   ├── write-tests/
│   │   │   └── SKILL.md
│   │   ├── code-review/
│   │   │   └── SKILL.md
│   │   ├── refactor-code/
│   │   │   └── SKILL.md
│   │   ├── generate-docs/
│   │   │   └── SKILL.md
│   │   └── debug-issue/
│   │       └── SKILL.md
│   ├── agents/
│   │   ├── software-engineer.agent.md
│   │   ├── architect.agent.md
│   │   ├── reviewer.agent.md
│   │   └── debugger.agent.md
│   └── workflows/                        # only if GitHub Actions is used
│       └── copilot-setup-steps.yml
```

## YAML Frontmatter Template

Use this structure for all files:

**Instructions (.instructions.md):**
```md
---
applyTo: "**/*.{lang-ext}"
description: "Development standards for {Language}"
---
# {Language} coding standards

Apply the repository-wide guidance from `../copilot-instructions.md` to all code.

## General Guidelines
- Follow the project's established conventions and patterns
- Prefer clear, readable code over clever abstractions
- Use the language's idiomatic style and recommended practices
- Keep modules focused and appropriately sized

<!-- Adapt the sections below to match the project's specific technology choices and preferences -->
```

**Skills (SKILL.md):**
```md
---
name: {skill-name}
description: {Brief description of what this skill does}
---

# {Skill Name}

{One sentence describing what this skill does. Always follow the repository's established patterns.}

Ask for {required inputs} if not provided.

## Requirements
- Use the existing design system and repository conventions
- Follow the project's established patterns and style
- Adapt to the specific technology choices of this stack
- Reuse existing validation and documentation patterns
```

**Agents (.agent.md):**
```md
---
description: Generate an implementation plan for new features or refactoring existing code.
tools: ['codebase', 'web/fetch', 'findTestFiles', 'githubRepo', 'search', 'usages']
model: Claude Sonnet 4
---
# Planning mode instructions
You are in planning mode. Your task is to generate an implementation plan for a new feature or for refactoring existing code.
Don't make any code edits, just generate a plan.

The plan consists of a Markdown document that describes the implementation plan, including the following sections:

* Overview: A brief description of the feature or refactoring task.
* Requirements: A list of requirements for the feature or refactoring task.
* Implementation Steps: A detailed list of steps to implement the feature or refactoring task.
* Testing: A list of tests that need to be implemented to verify the feature or refactoring task.
```

## Execution Steps

1. **Gather project information** - Ask the user for technology stack, project type, and development style if not provided
2. **Research awesome-copilot patterns**:
   - Use the fetch tool to explore awesome-copilot directories
   - Check instructions: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/instructions
   - Check agents: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/agents (especially for matching expert agents)
   - Check skills: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/main/skills
   - Document all sources for attribution comments
3. **Create the directory structure**
4. **Generate main copilot-instructions.md** with project-wide standards
5. **Create language-specific instruction files** using awesome-copilot references with attribution
6. **Generate reusable skills** tailored to project needs
7. **Set up specialized agents**, fetching from awesome-copilot where applicable (especially for expert engineer agents matching the tech stack)
8. **Create the GitHub Actions workflow for Coding Agent** (`copilot-setup-steps.yml`) — skip if user does not use GitHub Actions
9. **Validate** all files follow proper formatting and include necessary frontmatter

## Post-Setup Instructions

After creating all files, provide the user with:

1. **VS Code setup instructions** - How to enable and configure the files
2. **Usage examples** - How to use each skill and agent
3. **Customization tips** - How to modify files for their specific needs
4. **Testing recommendations** - How to verify the setup works correctly

## Quality Checklist

Before completing, verify:
- [ ] All authored Copilot markdown files have proper YAML frontmatter where required
- [ ] Language-specific best practices are included
- [ ] Files reference each other appropriately using Markdown links
- [ ] Skills and agents include relevant descriptions; include MCP/tool-related metadata only when the target Copilot environment actually supports or requires it
- [ ] Instructions are comprehensive but not overwhelming
- [ ] Security and performance considerations are addressed
- [ ] Testing guidelines are included
- [ ] Documentation standards are clear
- [ ] Code review standards are defined

## Workflow Template Structure (only if GitHub Actions is used)

The `copilot-setup-steps.yml` workflow MUST follow this exact format and KEEP IT SIMPLE:

```yaml
name: "Copilot Setup Steps"
on:
  workflow_dispatch:
  push:
    paths:
      - .github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
  pull_request:
    paths:
      - .github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
jobs:
  # The job MUST be called `copilot-setup-steps` or it will not be picked up by Copilot.
  copilot-setup-steps:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    permissions:
      contents: read
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v5
      # Add ONLY basic technology-specific setup steps here
```

**KEEP WORKFLOWS SIMPLE** - Only include essential steps:

**Node.js/JavaScript:**
```yaml
- name: Set up Node.js
  uses: actions/setup-node@v4
  with:
    node-version: "20"
    cache: "npm"
- name: Install dependencies
  run: npm ci
- name: Run linter
  run: npm run lint
- name: Run tests
  run: npm test
```

**Python:**
```yaml
- name: Set up Python
  uses: actions/setup-python@v4
  with:
    python-version: "3.11"
- name: Install dependencies
  run: pip install -r requirements.txt
- name: Run linter
  run: flake8 .
- name: Run tests
  run: pytest
```

**Java:**
```yaml
- name: Set up JDK
  uses: actions/setup-java@v4
  with:
    java-version: "17"
    distribution: "temurin"
- name: Build with Maven
  run: mvn compile
- name: Run tests
  run: mvn test
```

**AVOID in workflows:**
- ❌ Complex configuration setups
- ❌ Multiple environment configurations
- ❌ Advanced tooling setup
- ❌ Custom scripts or complex logic
- ❌ Multiple package managers
- ❌ Database setup or external services

**INCLUDE only:**
- ✅ Language/runtime setup
- ✅ Basic dependency installation
- ✅ Simple linting (if standard)
- ✅ Basic test running
- ✅ Standard build commands