github
Path-specific custom instructions not working in Agent mode
When using Agent mode, the applyTo filter that can be setup for Path-specific custom copilot instructions doesn't work.
As far as I can tell, the only applyTo value that worked for me was **.
This doesn't seem to work, for example:
---
applyTo: '**/*.swift'
---
Instruction here
From what I can see, Path-specific custom instructions don't even appear in the documentation, under the Xcode tab, but they appear as a feature in the app.
Versions
- Copilot for Xcode: 0.45.0
- Xcode: 26.1
- macOS: 26.1
Steps to reproduce
- Create a new project
- In Github Copilot settings, go to Advanced -> Under Custom Instructions -> Create
- Enter a file name
- In the prompted file, under the
applyTofield, type something like'**/*.swift' - Add some test instructions
- Open chat in a
swiftfile, select agent mode. - See the agent not considering the instructions given at step 5.
Oh, I'm now seeing that the custom instructions isn't a supported feature yet for Copilot coding agent : https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/prompting/response-customization#support-for-repository-custom-instructions-4.
The feature not being supported is not obvious from the Copilot for Xcode app. Would suggest adding something about this.
Is there any plan to support it?
Hi @lorinbudaca-one, coding agent support is on our radar. For the other issues you mentioned, please loop in @lijie-lee to take a look.
Thanks @silenceJialuo for the response!
When I was referencing Agent mode, I meant to reference Github Chat, using the Agent option. I wasn't referencing Github Coding Agent, thought support for that would be great. Maybe I'm just mixing up terms, sorry if that's the case.
@lijie-lee, the pains I've been having is getting Github Chat with Agent mode to see my Copilot Custom Instructions, in particular the path specific instructions.
I understand that this is not a supported feature yet for Copilot for Xcode? Is there any plan to support it?