GitHub Copilot allows users to teach it codebase conventions via custom instructions and agent skills

GitHub Copilot can be tailored to a specific project using custom instructions, agent skills, custom agents, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Repository custom instructions, placed in .github/copilot-instructions.md, define baseline guidance like architecture or naming conventions. Agent skills, located in .github/skills, package repeatable procedures such as running quality checks. Custom agents provide specialized guidance for larger tasks, while MCP servers connect Copilot to external tools and data sources.