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Create, update, review, fix, or debug VS Code agent customization files (.instructions.md, .prompt.md, .agent.md, SKILL.md, copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md).
Passed 22 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 12 of 22 without it.
and 13 more in the full report
10 fixed12 passed either way0 still failing0 broke
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
One of 10 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
When initiating a custom agent configuration session for a user whose requirements are ambiguous, what tool mechanism should be leveraged if present to clarify requirements before creating files?
| Checked | Without skill | With skill |
|---|---|---|
| The tool specified is ask-questions | Missed | Passed |
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
| Primitive | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Workspace 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 |
| 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) |
Consult the reference docs for templates, domain examples, advanced frontmatter options, asset organization, anti-patterns, and creation checklists.
| Type | File | Location | Key Field | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workspace Instructions | copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md | .github/ or root | N/A (always applies) | Link |
| File Instructions | *.instructions.md | .github/instructions/ | applyTo (explicit), description (on-demand) | Link |
| Prompts | *.prompt.md | .github/prompts/ | description (user-invoked) | Link |
| Custom Agents | *.agent.md | .github/agents/ | description (on-demand), infer (subagent) | Link |
| Skills | SKILL.md | .github/skills/<name>/ | description (on-demand) | Link |
User-level: {{USER_PROMPTS_FOLDER}}/ (*.prompt.md, *.instructions.md, *.agent.md; not skills)
Customizations roam with user's settings sync
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.
Ask the user where they want the customization:
.github/ folder{{USER_PROMPTS_FOLDER}}/test cases passed, vs 12 / 22 without
More skills from the same source and nearby in the registry, with their headline benchmark lift.