Agent skill · operations · microsoft
agent-customization
**WORKFLOW SKILL** — Create, update, review, fix, or debug VS Code agent customization files (.instructions.md, .prompt.md, .agent.md, SKILL.md, copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md). USE FOR: saving coding preferences; troubleshooting why instructions/skills/agents are ignored or not invoked; configuring applyTo patterns; defining tool restrictions; creating custom agent modes or specialized workflows; packaging domain knowledge; fixing YAML frontmatter syntax. DO NOT USE FOR: general coding questions (use default agent); runtime debugging or error diagnosis; MCP server configuration (use MCP docs directly); VS Code extension development. INVOKES: file system tools (read/write customization files), ask-questions tool (interview user for requirements), subagents for codebase exploration. FOR SINGLE OPERATIONS: For quick YAML frontmatter fixes or creating a single file from a known pattern, edit the file directly — no skill needed.
Why this skill is useful
Adds specific workflows and templates for creating and managing VS Code agent customization files that the AI wouldn't reliably generate on its own.
What it needs
About 3k tokens when loaded. Last updated 2026-08-07. 188,455 stars on the source repository.
What this skill does
Agent Customization Decision Flow Primitive When to Use ----------- ------------- agent instructions Always-on, applies everywhere in the project File Instructions Explicit via applyTo patterns, or on-demand via description MCP Integrates external systems, APIs, or data Hooks Deterministic shell commands at agent lifecycle points (block tools, auto-format, inject context) Custom Agents Subagents for context isolation, or multi-stage workflows with tool restrictions Prompts Single focused task with parameterized inputs Skills On-demand workflow with bundled assets (scripts/templates) Quick Reference Consult the reference docs for templates, domain examples, advanced frontmatter options, asset organization, anti-patterns, and creation checklists. If the references are not enough, load the official documentation links for each primitive. Type File Location Reference ------ ------ ---------- ----------- agent instructions copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md .github/ or root Link File Instructions .instructions.md .github/instructions/ Link Prompts .prompt.md .github/prompts/ Link Hooks .json .github/hooks/ Link Custom Agents .agent.md .github/agents/ Link Skills SKILL.md .github/skills/<name>/, .agents/skills/<name>/, .claude/skills/<name>/ Link User-level: {{VSCODEUSERPROMPTSFOLDER}}/ (.prompt.md, .instructions.md, .agent.md; not skills) Customizations roam with user's settings sync Creation Process If you need to explore or validate patterns in the codebase, use a read-only subagent. If the ask-questions tool is available, use it to interview the user and clarify requirements. Follow these steps when creating any customization file. 1. Determine Scope Ask the user where they want the customization: Workspace: For project-specific, team-shared customizations → .github/ folder User profile: For personal, cross-workspace customizations → {{VSCODEUSERPROMPTSFOLDER}}/ 2. …
How to use it
Reference it in AdaL, Claude Code, Cursor or any coding agent — nothing to install:
@skills microsoft/agent-customization