init.prompt.md

name	description	argument-hint	agent
init	Generate or update workspace instructions file for AI coding agents	Optionally specify a focus area or pattern to document for agents	agent

Related skill: agent-customization.

Generate or update workspace instructions (.github/copilot-instructions.md as first choice, or AGENTS.md if it is already present) for guiding AI coding agents in this workspace.

Discovery

Search for existing AI conventions using this glob pattern: **/{.github/copilot-instructions.md,AGENT.md,AGENTS.md,CLAUDE.md,.cursorrules,.windsurfrules,.clinerules,.cursor/rules/**,.windsurf/rules/**,.clinerules/**,README.md}

Then, start a subagent to research essential knowledge that helps an AI agent be immediately productive. Only include sections the workspace benefits from—skip any that don't apply:

# Project Guidelines

## Code Style
{Language and formatting preferences - reference key files that exemplify patterns}

## Architecture
{Major components, service boundaries, data flows, the "why" behind structural decisions}

## Build and Test
{Commands to install, build, test - agents will attempt to run these automatically}

## Project Conventions
{Patterns that differ from common practices - include specific examples from the codebase}

## Integration Points
{External dependencies and cross-component communication}

## Security
{Sensitive areas and auth patterns}

Guidelines

• If .github/copilot-instructions.md/AGENTS.md exists, merge intelligently—preserve valuable content while updating outdated sections
• If AGENTS.md exists, prefer updating it; for monorepos, use nested files per package (closest file to edited code wins)
• Write concise, actionable instructions (~20-50 lines) using markdown structure
• Link specific examples from the codebase when describing patterns
• Reference key files/directories that exemplify important patterns
• Avoid generic advice ("write tests", "handle errors")—focus on THIS project's specific approaches
• Document only discoverable patterns, not aspirational practices
• List build/test commands explicitly—agents will attempt to run them automatically

Update .github/copilot-instructions.md/AGENTS.md, then ask for feedback on unclear or incomplete sections to iterate.