create-agentsmd

Prompt for generating an AGENTS.md file for a repository

By github · 12,763 installs

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill create-agentsmd

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Create high‑quality AGENTS.md file 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. What is AGENTS.md? 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. Key Principles Agent focused : Contains detailed technical instructions for automated tools Complements README.md : Doesn't replace human documentation but adds agent specific context Standardized location : Placed at repository root (or subproject roots for monorepos) Open format : Uses standard Markdown with flexible structure Ecosystem compatibility : Works across 20+ different AI coding tools and agents File Structure and Content Guidelines 1. Required Setup Create the file as AGENTS.md in the repository root Use standard Markdown formatting No required fields flexible structure based on project needs 2. Essential Sections to Include Project Overview Brief description of what the project does Architecture overview if complex Key technologies and frameworks used Setup Commands Installation instructions Environment setup steps Dependency management commands Database setup if applicable Development Workflow How to start development server Build commands Watch/hot reload setup Package manager specifics (npm, pnpm, yarn, etc.) Testing Instructions How to run tests (unit, integration, e2e) Test file locations and naming conventions Coverage requirements Specific test patterns or frameworks used How to run subset of tests or focus on specific areas Code Style Guidelines Language specific conventions Linting and formatting rules File organization patterns Naming conventions Import/export patterns Build and Deployment Build commands and outputs Environment configurations Deployment steps and requirements CI/CD pipeline information 3. Optional but Recommended Sections Security Considerations Security testing requirements Secrets management Authentication patterns Permission models Monorepo Instructions (if applicable) How to work with multiple packages Cross package dependencies Selective building/testing Package specific commands Pull Request Guidelines Title format requirements Required checks before submission Review process Commit message conventions Debugging and Troubleshooting Common issues and solutions Logging patterns Debug configuration Performance considerations Example Template Use this as a starting template and customize based on the specific project: Working Example from agents.md Here's a real example from the agents.md website: Implementation Steps 1. Analyze the project structure to understand: Programming languages and frameworks used Package managers and build tools Testing frameworks Project architecture (monorepo, single package, etc.) 2. Identify key workflows by examining: package.json scripts Makefile or other build files CI/CD configuration files Documentation files 3. Create comprehensive sections covering: All essential setup and development commands Testing strategies and commands Code style and conventions Build and deployment processes 4. Include specific, actionable commands that agents can execute directly 5. Test the instructions by ensuring all commands work as documented 6. Keep it focused on what agents need to know, not general project information Best Practices Be specific : Include exact commands, not vague descriptions Use code blocks : Wrap commands in backticks for clarity Include context : Explain why certain steps are needed Stay current : Update as the project evolves Test commands : Ensure all listed commands actually work Consider nested files : For monorepos, create AGENTS.md files in subprojects as needed Monorepo Considerations For large monorepos: Place a main AGENTS.md at the repository root Create additional AGENTS.md files in subproject directories The closest AGENTS.md file takes precedence for any given location Include navigation tips between packages/projects Final Notes AGENTS.md works with 20+ AI coding tools including Cursor, Aider, Gemini CLI, and many others The format is intentionally flexible adapt it to your project's needs Focus on actionable instructions that help agents understand and work with your codebase This is living documentation update it as your project evolves 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.