AI Dev Tools Sync

Synchronize Claude Code and GitHub Copilot configurations to maintain feature parity.

When to Use

Activate this skill when:

• User asks to update Claude Code or Copilot setup
• User wants to add/modify skills, prompts, agents, or instructions
• User wants both tools to work similarly
• User asks about AI dev tool configuration

Quick Reference

GitHub Copilot Features Catalog

Complete catalog of GitHub Copilot customization features (as of 2026).

Configuration Files

Repository-Level (.github/)

Also Supported (Backward Compatibility)

• .claude/skills/ - Copilot auto-reads Claude skills
• CLAUDE.md - Copilot reads if present
• GEMINI.md - Gemini CLI format

Feature Details

Custom Instructions (copilot-instructions.md)

Root instructions auto-included in every request.

# Project Guidelines
- Use TypeScript for all new files
- Follow BEM naming for CSS classes

Path-Scoped Instructions (.github/instructions/)

Apply to specific file patterns via applyTo:

---
applyTo: "src/Services/**/*.cs"
excludeAgent: ["code-review"] # Optional: exclude specific agents
---
# Backend C# Guidelines
Use PlatformValidationResult for validation...

Prompts (.github/prompts/)

Reusable via /prompt-name in chat:

---
mode: agent # Optional: agent, chat, edit
---
# Debug this issue
1. Analyze the error
2. Find root cause
3. Propose fix

Agent Skills (.github/skills/)

Folder structure with SKILL.md + bundled resources:

skills/my-skill/
├── SKILL.md
├── scripts/
├── references/
└── assets/

Chat Modes (.github/chatmodes/)

Custom chat personalities with tool restrictions:

---
name: security-reviewer
tools: ["read", "grep", "glob"] # Restrict tools
---
# Security Review Mode
Focus only on security vulnerabilities...

Agents (.github/agents/)

Specialized agent definitions:

---
name: frontend-developer
description: UI/UX implementation specialist
---
# Frontend Developer Agent
Specializes in React, TypeScript, CSS...

Sync Patterns

Patterns for keeping Claude Code and GitHub Copilot configurations synchronized.

Skill Sync

Both platforms support skills in .github/skills/. Copilot also reads .claude/skills/.

Best Practice: Create skills in .github/skills/ for maximum compatibility.

.github/skills/my-skill/
├── SKILL.md          # Both platforms read
├── scripts/          # Executable scripts
├── references/       # Progressive disclosure docs
└── assets/           # Templates, images

Prompt/Command Sync

Sync Strategy:

1. Create in .github/prompts/ (both read)
2. Or maintain duplicates if behavior differs

Instructions Sync

Sync Strategy:

1. Keep core rules in both files
2. Use .github/instructions/ for path-scoped rules (Copilot-specific)
3. Reference detailed docs from both files

Agent Sync

Both platforms read .github/agents/*.md.

Single Source: Maintain agents in .github/agents/ only.

Workflow Sync

Claude has workflow orchestration. Copilot uses chat modes.

Decision Matrix

Common Sync Tasks

Add New Skill

mkdir -p .github/skills/new-skill
# Create SKILL.md with frontmatter
# Add references/ and scripts/ as needed

Add New Prompt

# Create in .github/prompts/ for both platforms
touch .github/prompts/new-prompt.prompt.md

Update Core Instructions

1. Edit CLAUDE.md
2. Edit .github/copilot-instructions.md
3. Keep essential rules in sync

Add Path-Scoped Instructions (Copilot)

# Copilot-specific feature
touch .github/instructions/backend-cqrs.instructions.md
# Add applyTo: "src/Services/**/*Command*.cs"

Sync Process

Step 1: Understand Current Setup

Read these files to understand current configuration:

.claude/workflows/orchestration-protocol.md
.claude/workflows/primary-workflow.md
.github/copilot-instructions.md
.github/AGENTS.md
CLAUDE.md

Step 2: Research Latest Features

Search web for:

• "GitHub Copilot features setup 2026"
• "GitHub Copilot custom instructions agents skills prompts"
• "GitHub Copilot agent mode workspace context"

See the GitHub Copilot Features Catalog section above for the full feature catalog.

Step 3: Identify Sync Opportunities

Compare capabilities and identify gaps:

• Skills missing in one platform
• Inconsistent prompt/instruction behavior
• Agent definitions that differ

Step 4: Implement Changes

For each change:

1. Skills: Create in both .claude/skills/ and .github/skills/
2. Prompts: Create in both .claude/commands/ and .github/prompts/
3. Instructions: Update both CLAUDE.md and .github/copilot-instructions.md
4. Agents: Update .github/agents/ (shared by both)

Compatibility Notes

• Copilot reads .claude/skills/ automatically (backward compatibility)
• Both read .github/prompts/*.prompt.md
• Both read .github/agents/*.md
• Both read AGENTS.md in root or .github/
• Both support path-based instruction files via applyTo in frontmatter

Sources

• GitHub Copilot Docs
• Custom Instructions
• Agent Skills
• Awesome Copilot

IMPORTANT Task Planning Notes

• Always plan and break many small todo tasks
• Always add a final review todo task to review the works done at the end to find any fix or enhancement needed