GitHub Enhances Copilot: Introducing Custom Instructions for Tailored Code Reviews

By Terrill Dicki
June 14, 2025

In a significant step toward more personalized development environments, GitHub has rolled out a major update to its popular Copilot code review feature. This enhancement now allows users to incorporate custom instructions into their code reviews, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity for developers of all levels.

A Closer Look at GitHub’s New Customization Feature

The introduction of custom instructions aligns GitHub’s functionalities more closely with user needs, creating a cohesive experience across different Copilot tools like Copilot Chat and the coding agent. This new feature is set to revolutionize how developers interact with their code reviews by providing tailored configurations suited to unique project requirements.

Customizable Code Reviews for Enhanced Workflow

The customization process uses a dedicated file, .github/copilot-instructions.md, where users can define specific instructions in natural language to guide Copilot’s review mechanisms. This file allows developers to articulate their preferences clearly, effectively transforming how the AI interprets and critiques code. For example, you can instruct Copilot to "respond in Spanish," aiding multilingual teams, or set directives like “focus on readability and avoid nested ternaries,” prioritizing maintainable code structures.

This level of personalization not only improves accuracy during code reviews but also fosters a culture of best practices within development teams, as everyone can set and adhere to shared coding standards.

Seamless Implementation and Accessibility

Currently available in public preview, this new feature is accessible to all paid users of Copilot. By simply adding the copilot-instructions.md file to a repository, teams can benefit from automatic application of these custom instructions without any cumbersome manual setup for each pull request. This functionality is game-changing, offering an effortless way to enhance workflow efficiency and eliminate variability in code standards.

For organizations, administrators can easily enable the feature, ensuring team members can efficiently utilize this new addition and maintain consistency across contributions.

Future Developments and Community Engagement

GitHub is already looking ahead to enhance this feature further. Plans for additional management options will roll out soon, providing users tighter control over how Copilot behaves during code reviews. GitHub encourages user involvement in discussions within the GitHub Community, promoting an atmosphere of shared insights which can help refine and improve the feature based on user feedback.

Why This Matters for Developers

The implications of GitHub’s Copilot enhancements extend far beyond mere convenience. Customizable AI-driven code reviews elevate the development process, opening up possibilities for collaborative learning, mentorship, and adherence to industry standards. As developers increasingly leverage AI in their workflows, having tools that adapt to their specific context becomes crucial.

With an ever-evolving landscape of programming languages and frameworks, the introduction of these customizable options places GitHub at the forefront, offering a competitive edge that developers who use Extreme Investor Network can significantly benefit from.

Conclusion

GitHub’s latest update to Copilot is more than just a feature; it’s a transformative approach to coding that promotes efficiency, accuracy, and personalization. By putting the power of customization in the hands of developers, GitHub reaffirms its position as an essential ally in the coding journey. Expect further enhancements and an exciting future in AI-driven development as this space continues to grow!

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