Extension loader does not follow symlinks in .github/extensions/
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Description
## Summary
The extension loader does not detect extensions that are symlinked into `.github/extensions/`. Only real (copied) directories are discovered.
## Steps to Reproduce
1. Have a canvas extension in a repo directory (e.g. `extensions/marp-viewer/`) with dependencies installed (`node_modules` present) — see [cedricvidal/copilot-extensions](https://github.com/cedricvidal/copilot-extensions/) for the Marp Viewer canvas extension used to reproduce this
2. Create a symlink: `ln -s ../../extensions/marp-viewer .github/extensions/marp-viewer`
3. Reload extensions → **0 extensions found**
4. Copy the same directory instead: `cp -r extensions/marp-viewer .github/extensions/marp-viewer`
5. Reload extensions → **1 extension found and running**
## Expected Behavior
Symlinked extension directories in `.github/extensions/` (and `~/.copilot/extensions/`) should be followed and loaded like regular directories.
## Why This Matters
- **Development workflow:** Symlinks are useful when the extension source lives elsewhere in the repo (or in a monorepo) and you don't want to duplicate files. The current behavior forces a copy, which makes iterating on extensions harder.
- **Third-party extension management:** Supporting symlinks would enable tooling similar to `npx skills` to manage extensions by symlinking them into the extensions directory, rather than copying or inlining them.
## Environment
- macOS (Darwin)
- GitHub Copilot App (technical preview)
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by reproducing the issue with a symlink in .github/extensions/ and reload the extensions; compare it with a copied directory, then check the loader's handling of both .github/extensions/ and ~/.copilot/extensions/. Done means symlinked extension directories are discovered and run like regular directories.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- macos, node.js
- Domain
- desktop, tooling
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 55/100