# Danielsitek Skills Vscode Copilot Customization > VS Code Copilot Customization - Skill: `tomevault-io/danielsitek-skills-vscode-copilot-customization` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/danielsitek-skills-vscode-copilot-customization` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/danielsitek-skills-vscode-copilot-customization/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/danielsitek-skills-vscode-copilot-customization --- # VS Code Copilot Customization ## Decision Matrix Use this matrix to recommend the right customization type. Always start here. | Scenario | Best choice | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Project-wide coding standards, always active | `copilot-instructions.md` | | Rules only for specific file types / folders | `*.instructions.md` with `applyTo` | | Works with multiple AI agents (Claude, Copilot, etc.) | `AGENTS.md` | | Reusable task you invoke manually in chat | Prompt file (`.prompt.md`) | | Specialized workflow with tool restrictions or model choice | Custom agent (`.agent.md`) | | Portable capability reusable across projects + CLI + cloud agents | Agent skill (`SKILL.md`) | | Auto-run commands at agent lifecycle points (format, lint, enforce) | Hook (`.json`) | | Bundle multiple customizations to share or distribute | Agent plugin (`plugin.json`) | ### Quick decision flow ``` Do you want it ON automatically for every request? ├─ YES → Instructions (.instructions.md / copilot-instructions.md / AGENTS.md) └─ NO, I invoke it manually → Does it need persistent persona, tool restrictions, or model choice? ├─ YES → Custom Agent (.agent.md) └─ NO → Is it a reusable multi-agent portable capability? ├─ YES → Agent Skill (SKILL.md) └─ NO → Prompt File (.prompt.md) Do you want to run shell commands around agent actions? └─ YES → Hook (hooks/*.json) Do you want to bundle everything for distribution? └─ YES → Agent Plugin (plugin.json) ``` --- ## 1. Custom Instructions Always-on context and rules. Stored in `.github/copilot-instructions.md` (workspace-wide), `AGENTS.md` (multi-agent), or `*.instructions.md` (file-scoped via `applyTo` glob). Read `references/instructions.md` when asked to create, write, or configure custom instructions. --- ## 2. Prompt Files Reusable task templates invoked manually via `/` slash command. Stored in `.github/prompts/*.prompt.md`. Read `references/prompt-files.md` when asked to create a prompt file or reusable chat task. --- ## 3. Custom Agents Specialized Copilot persona with tool whitelist, model choice, and optional handoffs. Stored in `.github/agents/*.agent.md`. Read `references/custom-agents.md` when asked to create a custom agent or chat mode. --- ## 4. Agent Skills Portable, progressive-loading capabilities that work across VS Code, Copilot CLI, and cloud agents. Stored in `.github/skills//SKILL.md`. Read `references/agent-skills.md` when asked to create a skill or when the user asks about SKILL.md format, frontmatter fields, or skill best practices. --- ## 5. Hooks Shell commands triggered at agent lifecycle events (`PostToolUse`, `Stop`, etc.). Stored in `.github/hooks/*.json`. Read `references/hooks.md` when asked to create a hook, set up auto-formatting, or run commands around agent actions. --- ## 6. Agent Plugins Bundle skills, agents, hooks, and MCP servers for distribution. Defined in `plugin.json`. Read `references/plugins.md` when asked to create, publish, or install an agent plugin. --- ## File Locations Reference | Type | Workspace location | User profile location | | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Always-on instructions (Copilot) | `.github/copilot-instructions.md` | — | | Always-on instructions (multi-agent) | `AGENTS.md` | — | | Targeted instructions | `.github/instructions/*.instructions.md` | `~/.vscode/instructions/` | | Prompt files | `.github/prompts/*.prompt.md` | `~/.vscode/prompts/` | | Custom agents | `.github/agents/*.agent.md` | `~/.vscode/agents/` | | Agent skills | `.github/skills//SKILL.md` | `~/.vscode/skills/` | | Hooks | `.github/hooks/*.json` | `~/.vscode/hooks/` | | Claude Code agents | `.claude/agents/*.md` | — | | Claude Code rules | `.claude/rules/*.md` | — | --- ## AI Generation Commands ``` /init → workspace-wide copilot-instructions.md /create-instruction → targeted .instructions.md /create-prompt → .prompt.md file /create-agent → .agent.md file /create-skill → agent skill directory /create-hook → hook JSON file ``` Open the **Chat Customizations editor** for a visual overview: ``` Command Palette → "Chat: Open Chat Customizations" ``` --- ## Reference files - `references/instructions.md` – Custom instructions templates and settings - `references/prompt-files.md` – Prompt file templates and input variables - `references/custom-agents.md` – Agent templates and handoff configuration - `references/agent-skills.md` – Skill format, progressive loading, official docs - `references/hooks.md` – Hook templates, events, naming convention - `references/plugins.md` – Plugin structure and distribution - `references/frontmatter-reference.md` – Complete frontmatter field reference for all types - `references/examples.md` – Real-world examples organized by use case --- > Source: [danielsitek/skills](https://github.com/danielsitek/skills) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).