- AccessibilityPrimary accessibility skill for VS Code. REQUIRED for new feature and contribution work, and also applies to updates of existing UI. Covers accessibility help dialogs, accessible views, verbosity settings, signals, ARIA announcements, keyboard navigation, and ARIA labels/roles.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Act On FeedbackAct on user feedback attached to the current session. Use when the user submits feedback on the session's changes via the Submit Feedback button.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Add PolicyUse when adding, modifying, or reviewing VS Code configuration policies. Covers the full policy lifecycle from registration to export to platform-specific artifacts. Run on ANY change that adds a `policy:` field to a configuration property.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Agent Customization**WORKFLOW SKILL** — Create, update, review, fix, or debug VS Code agent customization files (.instructions.md, .prompt.md, .agent.md, SKILL.md, copilot-instructions.md, AGENTS.md). USE FOR: saving coding preferences; troubleshooting why instructions/skills/agents are ignored or not invoked; configuring applyTo patterns; defining tool restrictions; creating custom agent modes or specialized workflows; packaging domain knowledge; fixing YAML frontmatter syntax. DO NOT USE FOR: general coding quesmicrosoft/vscode187,013
- Anthropic Sdk UpgraderUse this agent when the user needs to upgrade Anthropic SDK packages. This includes: upgrading @anthropic-ai/sdk or @anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk to newer versions, migrating between SDK versions, resolving SDK-related dependency conflicts, updating SDK types and interfaces, or asking about SDK upgrade procedures. Examples: 'Upgrade the Anthropic SDK to the latest version', 'Help me migrate to the latest claude-agent-sdk', 'What's the process for upgrading Anthropic packages?'microsoft/vscode187,013
- Author ContributionsIdentify all files a specific author contributed to on a branch vs its upstream, tracing code through renames. Use when asked who edited what, what code an author contributed, or to audit authorship before a merge. This skill should be run as a subagent — it performs many git operations and returns a concise table.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Auto Perf OptimizeRun agent-driven VS Code performance or memory investigations. Use when asked to launch Code OSS, automate a VS Code scenario, run the Chat memory smoke runner, capture renderer heap snapshots, take workflow screenshots, compare run summaries, or drive a repeatable scenario before heap-snapshot analysis.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Azure PipelinesUse when validating Azure DevOps pipeline changes for the VS Code build. Covers queueing builds, checking build status, viewing logs, and iterating on pipeline YAML changes without waiting for full CI runs.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Chat Customizations EditorUse when working on the Chat Customizations editor — the management UI for agents, skills, instructions, hooks, prompts, MCP servers, and plugins.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Chat PerfRun chat perf benchmarks and memory leak checks against the local dev build or any published VS Code version. Use when investigating chat rendering regressions, validating perf-sensitive changes to chat UI, or checking for memory leaks in the chat response pipeline.microsoft/vscode187,013
- ChronicleAnalyze Copilot session history for standup reports, usage tips, session search, and session reindexing. Use when the user asks for a standup, daily summary, usage tips, workflow recommendations, wants to search or find past sessions by keyword/file/PR, wants to reindex their session store, or asks about deleting session data.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Code Oss LogsFind and read logs from Code OSS dev builds. Use when: finding logs, reading log files, debugging Code OSS, checking renderer logs, extension host logs, agent host logs, main process logs, investigating errors in dev builds.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Code ReviewPerform a code review of the current session's changes. Use when the user requests a code review via the Run Code Review button in the Changes toolbar.microsoft/vscode187,013
- CommitCommit staged or unstaged changes with an AI-generated commit message that matches the repository's existing commit style. Use when the user asks to 'commit', 'commit changes', 'create a commit', 'save my work', or 'check in code'.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Component FixturesUse when creating or updating component fixtures for screenshot testing, or when designing UI components to be fixture-friendly. Covers fixture file structure, theming, service setup, CSS scoping, async rendering, and common pitfalls.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Cpu Profile AnalysisAnalyze V8/Chrome CPU profiles (.cpuprofile) and DevTools trace files (Trace-*.json). Use when: profiling performance, investigating slow functions, comparing code paths, finding bottlenecks, analyzing timeToRequest, understanding call trees from sampling profiler data, analyzing layout/paint/rendering, investigating user timing marks.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create AgentCreate a custom agent (.agent.md) for a specific job.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create Draft PrCreate a draft pull request for the current session. Use when the user wants to open a draft PR with the session's changes.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create HookCreate a hook (.json) to enforce policy or automate agent lifecycle events.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create InstructionsCreate an instructions file (.instructions.md) for a project rule or convention.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create PrCreate a pull request for the current session. Use when the user wants to open a PR with the session's changes.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create PromptCreate a reusable prompt file (.prompt.md) for a common task.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Create SkillCreate a reusable skill (SKILL.md) that packages a workflow.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Fix CiFix the failed CI checks for the current session. Use when the user requests a CI fix via the Fix Checks button in the Changes toolbar.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Fix Ci FailuresInvestigate and fix CI failures on a pull request. Use when CI checks fail on a PR branch — covers finding the PR, identifying failed checks, downloading logs and artifacts, extracting the failure cause, and iterating on a fix. Requires the `gh` CLI.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Fix ErrorsGuidelines for fixing unhandled errors from the VS Code error telemetry dashboard. Use when investigating error-telemetry issues with stack traces, error messages, and hit/user counts. Covers tracing data flow through call stacks, identifying producers of invalid data vs. consumers that crash, enriching error messages for telemetry diagnosis, and avoiding common anti-patterns like silently swallowing errors.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Generate Run CommandsGenerate or modify run commands for the current session. Use when the user wants to set up or update run commands that appear in the session's Run button.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Get Search View ResultsGet the current search results from the Search view in VS Codemicrosoft/vscode187,013
- Github Copilot UpgraderUse this to update the Github Copilot CLI/SDKmicrosoft/vscode187,013
- Heap Snapshot AnalysisAnalyze V8 heap snapshots to investigate memory leaks and retention issues. Use when given .heapsnapshot files, asked to compare before/after snapshots, asked to find what retains objects, or investigating why objects survive GC. Provides snapshot parsing, comparison, retainer-path helpers, and scratchpad scripts.microsoft/vscode187,013
- HygieneUse when making code changes to ensure they pass VS Code's hygiene checks. Covers the pre-commit hook, unicode restrictions, string quoting rules, copyright headers, indentation, formatting, ESLint, and stylelint. Run the hygiene check before declaring work complete.microsoft/vscode187,013
- InitGenerate or update chat customization files for AI coding agentsmicrosoft/vscode187,013
- Install Vscode ExtensionHow to install a VS Code extension from an extension ID. Useful when the user wants to add new capabilities to their VS Code environment by installing extensions.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Integrated BrowserUse this when working on the VS Code integrated browser ("browserView") to understand its architecture and mental model. Covers the embedded Chromium browser, its editor tab, navigation, overlay/layout, sessions, and agent browser tools under `src/vs/platform/browserView` and `src/vs/workbench/contrib/browserView`.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Integration TestsUse when running integration tests in the VS Code repo. Covers scripts/test-integration.sh (macOS/Linux) and scripts/test-integration.bat (Windows), their supported arguments for filtering, and the difference between node.js integration tests and extension host tests.microsoft/vscode187,013
- LaunchLaunch Code OSS (VS Code from sources) into an isolated throwaway profile with unique debug ports so you can drive it with @playwright/cli AND attach a Node debugger via dap-cli in the same session. Use when working on VS Code itself and you want to interact with the running workbench, automate chat or UI flows, test UI features, take screenshots, set breakpoints in the renderer / extension host / main process, or combine UI driving with debugging.microsoft/vscode187,013
- LaunchLaunch and automate VS Code Insiders with the Copilot Chat extension using @playwright/cli via Chrome DevTools Protocol. Use when you need to interact with the VS Code UI, automate the chat panel, test the extension UI, or take screenshots. Triggers include 'automate VS Code', 'interact with chat', 'test the UI', 'take a screenshot', 'launch with debugging'.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Memory Leak AuditAudit code for memory leaks and disposable issues. Use when reviewing event listeners, DOM handlers, lifecycle callbacks, or fixing leak reports. Covers addDisposableListener, Event.once, MutableDisposable, DisposableStore, and onWillDispose patterns.microsoft/vscode187,013
- MergeMerge changes from the topic branch to the merge base branch. Use when the user wants to merge their session's work back to the base branch.microsoft/vscode187,013
- OtelOpenTelemetry instrumentation for the Copilot Chat extension — covers the four agent execution paths, the IOTelService abstraction, span/metric/event conventions, and the relationship between code and the user/developer monitoring docs. Use when adding/changing OTel spans, metrics, or events; instrumenting a new agent surface; touching the Copilot CLI bridge or Claude span emission; or updating `extensions/copilot/docs/monitoring/agent_monitoring*.md`.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Project Setup Info Context7Comprehensive setup steps to help the user create complete project structures in a VS Code workspace. This tool is designed for full project initialization and scaffolding, not for creating individual files. When to use this tool: when the user wants to create a new complete project from scratch; when setting up entire project frameworks (TypeScript projects, React apps, Node.js servers, etc.); when initializing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers with full structure; when creating VS Code extemicrosoft/vscode187,013
- Project Setup Info LocalComprehensive setup steps to help the user create complete project structures in a VS Code workspace; this tool is designed for full project initialization and scaffolding, not for creating individual files. When to use this tool: user wants to create a new complete project from scratch; setting up entire project frameworks (TypeScript projects, React apps, Node.js servers, etc.); initializing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers with full structure; creating VS Code extensions with proper scaffmicrosoft/vscode187,013
- SessionsAgents window architecture — covers the agents-first app, layering, folder structure, chat widget, menus, contributions, entry points, and development guidelines. Use when implementing features or fixing issues in the Agents window.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Smoke TestsUse when running VS Code smoke tests or working on smoke-test CI steps. Covers npm run smoketest / smoketest-no-compile, grep filtering tests, and a temporary repeat-loop technique for tracking down flaky smoke tests in CI.microsoft/vscode187,013
- SyncSync the current session branch with its upstream branch, or publish the current session branch to a remote. Use when the user asks to sync a branch, pull latest changes, rebase onto upstream, push current branch, publish branch, or set upstream.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Sync UpstreamUpdate a stale session branch by rebasing onto the latest origin. Use when the upstream has moved significantly and the session needs to catch up, resolving conflicts by preserving upstream changes and adapting session work to fit.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Tool Rename DeprecationEnsure renamed built-in tool references preserve backward compatibility. Use when renaming a toolReferenceName, tool set referenceName, or any tool identifier. Run on ANY change to tool registration code. Covers legacyToolReferenceFullNames for tools and legacyFullNames for tool sets.microsoft/vscode187,013
- TroubleshootInvestigate unexpected chat agent behavior by analyzing direct debug logs in JSONL files. Use when users ask why something happened, why a request was slow, why tools or subagents were used or skipped, or why instructions/skills/agents did not load.microsoft/vscode187,013
- TroubleshootInvestigate unexpected behavior in the current Copilot CLI agent session by analyzing its event log. Use when the user asks why something happened, why a request was slow, why a tool was or was not used, or why instructions/skills/agents did not load.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Unit TestsUse when running unit tests in the VS Code repo. Covers the runTests tool, scripts/test.sh (macOS/Linux) and scripts/test.bat (Windows), and their supported arguments for filtering, globbing, and debugging tests.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Update PrUpdate the pull request for the current session. Use when the user wants to push new changes to an existing PR.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Update ScreenshotsDownload screenshot baselines from the latest CI run and commit them. Use when asked to update, accept, or refresh component screenshot baselines from CI, or after the screenshot-test GitHub Action reports differences. This skill should be run as a subagent.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Update SkillsCreate or update repository skills and instructions when major learnings are discovered during a session. Use when the user says "learn!", when a significant pattern or pitfall is identified, or when reusable domain knowledge should be captured for future sessions.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Ux Css LayoutVS Code CSS conventions, file organization, class naming, standard sizes, SplitView/Grid layout, scrollable content, responsive layout, and text overflow/ellipsis patterns. Use when writing CSS, building layouts, or fixing text truncation issues.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Ux ThemingVS Code theming, color tokens, widget styles, focus indicators, and high-contrast theme support. Use when registering colors, styling widgets with theme tokens, or ensuring HC/focus compliance.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Vscode Dev WorkbenchUse when the user wants to run the vscode.dev server locally and exercise the VS Code workbench or Agents window in the integrated browser against the local `microsoft/vscode` sources. Covers starting the dev server, the `vscode-quality=dev` URL, browser-driven interaction patterns, and optionally wiring up a local mock agent host for the Agents window.microsoft/vscode187,013
- Add Adaptive Card FormCreate form-based UI for your Command Palette extension using Adaptive Cards. Use when asked to add forms, user input fields, toggle switches, text inputs, dropdown menus, data entry, surveys, configuration dialogs, or interactive content pages. Supports the Adaptive Cards Designer for visual form building.microsoft/PowerToys135,980
- Add Dock BandAdd dock band support to your Command Palette extension for persistent toolbar widgets. Use when asked to add dock support, toolbar buttons, persistent UI widgets, taskbar integration, live-updating status displays, quick-access buttons, or always-visible controls. Supports single buttons, multi-button strips, and live-updating content.microsoft/PowerToys135,980
- Add Extension SettingsAdd a settings page to your Command Palette extension. Use when asked to add settings, preferences, configuration options, toggles, text inputs, dropdowns, or user-customizable behavior. Covers ToggleSetting, TextSetting, ChoiceSetSetting, and persistence.microsoft/PowerToys135,980
- Add Fallback CommandsAdd fallback commands to your Command Palette extension for catch-all search behavior. Use when asked to add search functionality, query matching, direct input handling, calculator-style evaluation, URL opening, command execution, or results that appear when no other extension matches. Used by 14 of 20 built-in extensions.microsoft/PowerToys135,980