github / github/copilot-cli

Clarify startup message "No copilot-instructions.md found" to specify it means the repo-scoped file

Abierto Apto para principiantes
#4,475 0 comentarios 0 reacciones 0 asignados Ver en GitHub

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area:context-memory
Lenguaje dominante
Shell
Estrellas
11.2k
Forks
1.9k
Merge medio
14 h 16 min
PR fusionados (30 d)
6

Descripción

Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

On session start, the CLI prints "No copilot-instructions.md found." This wording is ambiguous.

Proposed solution

On session start, the CLI prints "No copilot-instructions.md found." This wording is ambiguous — it reads as though NO custom instructions were loaded at all, when in fact it only means the repository-scoped file (.github/copilot-instructions.md in the git root/cwd) is absent.

A user-scope file at $HOME/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md (and other supported sources like AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, $HOME/.copilot/instructions/**) may still be fully loaded and active. The current message caused me to believe none of my instructions were in effect, when my user-scope instructions actually were loaded.

Requested change / proposed solution: reword the message to name the specific missing file/scope, e.g. "No repository-scoped .github/copilot-instructions.md found" — and ideally note that user-scope or other instruction sources may still be active.

Benefits to GitHub Copilot CLI and its users:

  • Removes a misleading signal that makes users think their instructions aren't loaded.
  • Reduces confusion and wasted time spent debugging a non-issue.
  • Sets accurate expectations about which instruction scope is missing vs. active.
  • Encourages correct use of layered instruction sources (repo-scoped vs. user-scoped).
Example prompts or workflows
  1. User has a populated $HOME/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md with personal workflows.
  2. User starts a session in a repo that has no .github/copilot-instructions.md.
  3. CLI prints "No copilot-instructions.md found."
  4. User reasonably concludes NONE of their instructions loaded — but the user-scope file is active.
  5. Running /env confirms the user-scope instructions ARE loaded, contradicting the startup message.

Suggested improved message:
"No repository-scoped .github/copilot-instructions.md found. (User-scope and other instruction sources, if present, are still active — see /env or /instructions.)"

Additional context
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Primeros pasos

  1. Lee el issue completo y luego la guía de contribución del proyecto.
  2. Comenta en el issue que vas a ocuparte — evita que dos personas hagan lo mismo.
  3. Haz un fork del repositorio y trabaja en una rama.
  4. Abre un pull request que haga referencia al número del issue.

Línea de trabajo

Empieza en la ruta de inicio de sesión de la CLI que emite "No copilot-instructions.md found." y sigue cómo se comprueban las instrucciones con ámbito de repositorio. Actualiza el texto para identificar el archivo con ámbito de repositorio que falta, preservando el comportamiento del ámbito de usuario y de las demás fuentes de instrucciones; verifica el resultado durante el inicio y con /env o /instructions.

Escrito por el modelo de indexación a partir del texto del issue.

Evaluación

Stack tecnológico
shell
Área
cli
Tipo de issue
Nueva funcionalidad
Dificultad
1/5
Tiempo estimado
1-3 horas
Estado de actividad
Tranquilo
Claridad
Bastante claro
Aptitud para principiantes
72/100

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