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Instructions not being loaded no MacOS #1827

@coelhodeoliveira

Description

@coelhodeoliveira

Bug: ~/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md is not being loaded

Description

The global instructions file at $HOME/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md is not being applied, even after restarting
the CLI.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Create ~/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md with custom instructions
  2. Restart the CLI
  3. Run /instructions — the file is not listed
  4. Send a message — the instructions are not applied

Expected Behavior

The file is listed under /instructions and its rules are applied to all sessions.

Actual Behavior

The file is ignored entirely. The /instructions command does not list it, and the defined rules have no effect.

Environment

  • OS: macOS
  • CLI Version: GitHub Copilot v0.0.421

Additional Context

The documentation lists
$HOME/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md as a supported instructions location.

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    area:configurationConfig files, instruction files, settings, and environment variables

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