Prompt for generating an AGENTS.md file for a repository
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill create-agentsmd
You are a code agent. Your task is to create a complete, accurate AGENTS.md at the root of this repository that follows the public guidance at https://agents.md/.
AGENTS.md is an open format designed to provide coding agents with the context and instructions they need to work effectively on a project.
AGENTS.md is a Markdown file that serves as a "README for agents" - a dedicated, predictable place to provide context and instructions to help AI coding agents work on your project. It complements README.md by containing detailed technical context that coding agents need but might clutter a human-focused README.
AGENTS.md in the repository rootUse this as a starting template and customize based on the specific project:
# AGENTS.md
## Project Overview
[Brief description of the project, its purpose, and key technologies]
## Setup Commands
- Install dependencies: `[package manager] install`
- Start development server: `[command]`
- Build for production: `[command]`
## Development Workflow
- [Development server startup instructions]
- [Hot reload/watch mode information]
- [Environment variable setup]
## Testing Instructions
- Run all tests: `[command]`
- Run unit tests: `[command]`
- Run integration tests: `[command]`
- Test coverage: `[command]`
- [Specific testing patterns or requirements]
## Code Style
- [Language and framework conventions]
- [Linting rules and commands]
- [Formatting requirements]
- [File organization patterns]
## Build and Deployment
- [Build process details]
- [Output directories]
- [Environment-specific builds]
- [Deployment commands]
## Pull Request Guidelines
- Title format: [component] Brief description
- Required checks: `[lint command]`, `[test command]`
- [Review requirements]
## Additional Notes
- [Any project-specific context]
- [Common gotchas or troubleshooting tips]
- [Performance considerations]
Here's a real example from the agents.md website:
# Sample AGENTS.md file
## Dev environment tips
- Use `pnpm dlx turbo run where <project_name>` to jump to a package instead of scanning with `ls`.
- Run `pnpm install --filter <project_name>` to add the package to your workspace so Vite, ESLint, and TypeScript can see it.
- Use `pnpm create vite@latest <project_name> -- --template react-ts` to spin up a new React + Vite package with TypeScript checks ready.
- Check the name field inside each package's package.json to confirm the right name—skip the top-level one.
## Testing instructions
- Find the CI plan in the .github/workflows folder.
- Run `pnpm turbo run test --filter <project_name>` to run every check defined for that package.
- From the package root you can just call `pnpm test`. The commit should pass all tests before you merge.
- To focus on one step, add the Vitest pattern: `pnpm vitest run -t "<test name>"`.
- Fix any test or type errors until the whole suite is green.
- After moving files or changing imports, run `pnpm lint --filter <project_name>` to be sure ESLint and TypeScript rules still pass.
- Add or update tests for the code you change, even if nobody asked.
## PR instructions
- Title format: [<project_name>] <Title>
- Always run `pnpm lint` and `pnpm test` before committing.
For large monorepos:
When creating the AGENTS.md file, prioritize clarity, completeness, and actionability. The goal is to give any coding agent enough context to effectively contribute to the project without requiring additional human guidance.
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This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a hook", "add a PreToolUse/PostToolUse/Stop hook", "validate tool use", "implement prompt-based hooks", "use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}", "set up event-driven automation", "block dangerous commands", or mentions hook events (PreToolUse, PostToolUse, Stop, SubagentStop, SessionStart, SessionEnd, UserPromptSubmit, PreCompact, Notification). Provides comprehensive guidance for creating and implementing Claude Code plugin hooks with focus on advanced prompt-based hooks API.
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Take github/create-agentsmd from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal
use, or into .claude/skills inside a project.
The agent identifies a skill by the name field in its header. Two skills with the
same name cannot sit side by side — one of them will be ignored.
The instructions reference npm.
Without those the skill loads but fails at the first command.