Create Instructions

OrganizationPopular

microsoft

create-instructions

Create an instructions file (.instructions.md) for a project rule or convention.

Overview

Publisher	microsoft
Repository	`vscode`
Skill name	`create-instructions`
Stars	192.7K
Forks	42.7K
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by microsoft on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Create Instructions AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Store

Installed

Skills

Add skills

Import one or more skills from a public GitHub folder or a local .skill or .zip archive, or SKILL.md file.

From GitHub URLFrom .skill, .zip, or SKILL.md

GitHub repo or folder

https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/tree/main/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/create-instructions

Points to a single skill folder, or any folder that contains multiple skills. Public repos only.

CancelContinue

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/microsoft/vscode.git /tmp/vscode
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/vscode/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/create-instructions .claude/skills/create-instructions

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Create Instructions in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Create Instructions on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Create Instructions is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Related skill: agent-customization. Load and follow instructions.md for template and principles.

Guide the user to create an instructions file.

Extract from Conversation

First, review the conversation history. If the user has been correcting the agent's output or asking for specific patterns (e.g., "always use X", "never do Y", "follow this style"), generalize that into a persistent instruction. Extract:

Corrections or preferences mentioned during the conversation
Coding patterns the user enforced or requested
Project-specific conventions referenced

Clarify if Needed

If no clear rule emerges from the conversation, clarify:

Should this apply everywhere or only to specific files?
Which technologies or file types are affected?
Is this a hard rule or a preference?

Explore the codebase using subagents if you need more context.

Iterate

Draft the instruction and save it.
Identify the most ambiguous or weak parts and ask about those.
Once finalized, summarize what the instruction enforces, suggest example prompts to see it in action, and propose related customizations to create next.

Remember to follow the agent-customization guidelines to create highly effective instructions.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Create Instructions AI skill do?

Create an instructions file (.instructions.md) for a project rule or convention.

Why use Create Instructions on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Create Instructions is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Create Instructions in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/tree/main/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/create-instructions. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Create Instructions?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Create Instructions?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Create Instructions with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Create Instructions AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by microsoft under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Extract from Conversation

Clarify if Needed

Iterate

Frequently asked questions

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