In this GitHub video, the team demonstrates how developers can use the new ‘Generate instructions’ feature in GitHub Copilot. The video, presented by GitHub, highlights how providing full repository context leads to more targeted AI-powered coding assistance.

Create GitHub Copilot Instructions in Just One Click

Learn how to instantly enhance GitHub Copilot’s performance by providing it with the full context of your repository. This video from GitHub’s official team introduces the new “Generate instructions” feature, designed to streamline Copilot’s understanding of your codebase.

Key Topics Covered

  • One-Click Instruction Generation: See how to trigger Copilot’s code analysis and generate a project-specific instructions file automatically.
  • Improved Context Awareness: Understand how giving Copilot a custom instructions file leads to more relevant and precise code completions.
  • Developer Productivity: Discover how this workflow simplifies onboarding to new projects and supports more accurate AI-driven development.

Steps Shown in the Video

  1. Open your project repository on GitHub.
  2. Access the Copilot sidebar or integration panel.
  3. Click the “Generate instructions” button.
  4. Review the generated instructions file, tailored to your repo’s languages, frameworks, and architecture.
  5. Save or edit the instructions as needed for enhanced Copilot assistance.

Benefits

  • Faster Setup: Eliminates manual context explanation for Copilot.
  • More Reliable Suggestions: Enables Copilot to deliver suggestions that fit your project’s architecture and stack.
  • Customizable: Instructions can be tweaked to emphasize particular coding guidelines or technologies.

For more details, connect with GitHub through their YouTube channel, blog, or on Twitter.

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