Merge pull request #602 from github/remove-chat-mode-references

Cleaning up some legacy around chat modes

Author: aaronpowell

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -2,20 +2,20 @@ The following instructions are only to be applied when performing a code review.
 
 ## README updates
 
-- [ ] The new file should be added to the `README.md`.
+- [ ] The new file should be added to the `docs/README.<type>.md`.
 
 ## Prompt file guide
 
 **Only apply to files that end in `.prompt.md`**
 
 - [ ] The prompt has markdown front matter.
-- [ ] The prompt has a `mode` field specified of either `agent` or `ask`.
+- [ ] The prompt has a `agent` field specified of either `agent`, `ask`, or `Plan`.
 - [ ] The prompt has a `description` field.
 - [ ] The `description` field is not empty.
-- [ ] The `description` field value is wrapped in single quotes.
 - [ ] The file name is lower case, with words separated by hyphens.
 - [ ] Encourage the use of `tools`, but it's not required.
 - [ ] Strongly encourage the use of `model` to specify the model that the prompt is optimised for.
+- [ ] Strongly encourage the use of `name` to set the name for the prompt.
 
 ## Instruction file guide
 
@@ -24,21 +24,20 @@ The following instructions are only to be applied when performing a code review.
 - [ ] The instruction has markdown front matter.
 - [ ] The instruction has a `description` field.
 - [ ] The `description` field is not empty.
-- [ ] The `description` field value is wrapped in single quotes.
 - [ ] The file name is lower case, with words separated by hyphens.
 - [ ] The instruction has an `applyTo` field that specifies the file or files to which the instructions apply. If they wish to specify multiple file paths they should formated like `'**.js, **.ts'`.
 
-## Chat Mode file guide
+## Agent file guide
 
 **Only apply to files that end in `.agent.md`**
 
-- [ ] The chat mode has markdown front matter.
-- [ ] The chat mode has a `description` field.
+- [ ] The agent has markdown front matter.
+- [ ] The agent has a `description` field.
 - [ ] The `description` field is not empty.
-- [ ] The `description` field value is wrapped in single quotes.
 - [ ] The file name is lower case, with words separated by hyphens.
 - [ ] Encourage the use of `tools`, but it's not required.
-- [ ] Strongly encourage the use of `model` to specify the model that the chat mode is optimised for.
+- [ ] Strongly encourage the use of `model` to specify the model that the agent is optimised for.
+- [ ] Strongly encourage the use of `name` to set the name for the agent.
 
 ## Agent Skills guide
 
@@ -55,3 +54,19 @@ The following instructions are only to be applied when performing a code review.
 - [ ] The folder name is lower case, with words separated by hyphens.
 - [ ] Any bundled assets (scripts, templates, data files) are referenced in the SKILL.md instructions.
 - [ ] Bundled assets are reasonably sized (under 5MB per file).
+
+## Collection file guide
+
+**Only apply to files that end in `.collection.yml`**
+
+- [ ] The collection has a `name` field.
+- [ ] The collection has a `description` field.
+- [ ] The `description` field is not empty.
+- [ ] The collection has a `tags` field.
+- [ ] The file name is lower case, with words separated by hyphens.
+- [ ] Each item in the collection has a `path` field.
+- [ ] Each item in the collection has a `kind` field.
+- [ ] The `kind` field value is one of: `prompt`, `instruction`, `agent`, or `skill`.
+- [ ] The collection does not include duplicate items.
+- [ ] The collection does not reference non-existent files.
+- [ ] Each item can have an optional `usage` field describing when to use the item.

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ## Pull Request Checklist
 
 - [ ] I have read and followed the [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) guidelines.
-- [ ] My contribution adds a new instruction, prompt, or chat mode file in the correct directory.
+- [ ] My contribution adds a new instruction, prompt, agent, or skill file in the correct directory.
 - [ ] The file follows the required naming convention.
 - [ ] The content is clearly structured and follows the example format.
-- [ ] I have tested my instructions, prompt, or chat mode with GitHub Copilot.
+- [ ] I have tested my instructions, prompt, agent, or skill with GitHub Copilot.
 - [ ] I have run `npm start` and verified that `README.md` is up to date.
 
 ---
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@
 
 - [ ] New instruction file.
 - [ ] New prompt file.
-- [ ] New chat mode file.
+- [ ] New agent file.
 - [ ] New collection file.
 - [ ] New skill file.
-- [ ] Update to existing instruction, prompt, chat mode, collection or skill.
+- [ ] Update to existing instruction, prompt, agent, collection or skill.
 - [ ] Other (please specify):
 
 ---

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -61,27 +61,26 @@ Your goal is to...
 - Include examples where helpful
 ```
 
-### Adding Chat Modes
+### Adding an Agent
 
-Chat modes are specialized configurations that transform GitHub Copilot Chat into domain-specific assistants or personas for particular development scenarios.
+Agents are specialized configurations that transform GitHub Copilot Chat into domain-specific assistants or personas for particular development scenarios.
 
-1. **Create your chat mode file**: Add a new `.agent.md` file in the `agents/` directory
+1. **Create your agent file**: Add a new `.agent.md` file in the `agents/` directory
 2. **Follow the naming convention**: Use descriptive, lowercase filenames with hyphens and the `.agent.md` extension (e.g., `react-performance-expert.agent.md`)
 3. **Include frontmatter**: Add metadata at the top of your file with required fields
-4. **Define the persona**: Create a clear identity and expertise area for the chat mode
-5. **Test your chat mode**: Ensure the chat mode provides helpful, accurate responses in its domain
+4. **Define the persona**: Create a clear identity and expertise area for the agent
+5. **Test your agent**: Ensure the agent provides helpful, accurate responses in its domain
 
-#### Example chat mode format
+#### Example agent format
 
 ```markdown
 ---
-description: 'Brief description of the chat mode and its purpose'
+description: 'Brief description of the agent and its purpose'
 model: 'gpt-5'
 tools: ['codebase', 'terminalCommand']
+name: 'My Agent Name'
 ---
 
-# Chat Mode Title
-
 You are an expert [domain/role] with deep knowledge in [specific areas].
 
 ## Your Expertise
@@ -114,7 +113,7 @@ Skills are self-contained folders in the `skills/` directory that include a `SKI
 
 ### Adding Collections
 
-Collections group related prompts, instructions, and chat modes around specific themes or workflows, making it easier for users to discover and adopt comprehensive toolkits.
+Collections group related prompts, instructions, agents, and skills around specific themes or workflows, making it easier for users to discover and adopt comprehensive toolkits.
 
 1. **Create your collection manifest**: Add a new `.collection.yml` file in the `collections/` directory
 2. **Follow the naming convention**: Use descriptive, lowercase filenames with hyphens (e.g., `python-web-development.collection.yml`)
@@ -142,17 +141,17 @@ items:
     kind: prompt
   - path: instructions/my-instructions.instructions.md
     kind: instruction
-  - path: agents/my-chatmode.agent.md
+  - path: agents/my-custom.agent.md
     kind: agent
     usage: |
      recommended # or "optional" if not essential to the workflow
 
-     This chat mode requires the following instructions/prompts/MCPs:
+     This agent requires the following instructions/prompts/MCPs:
       - Instruction 1
       - Prompt 1
       - MCP 1
 
-     This chat mode is ideal for...
+     This agent is ideal for...
       - Use case 1
       - Use case 2
     
@@ -255,7 +254,7 @@ We welcome many kinds of contributions, including the custom categories below:
 | --- | --- | :---: |
 | **Instructions** | Custom instruction sets that guide GitHub Copilot behavior | 🧭 |
 | **Prompts** | Reusable or one-off prompts for GitHub Copilot | ⌨️ |
-| **Agents (Chat Modes)** | Defined GitHub Copilot roles or personalities | 🎭 |
+| **Agents** | Defined GitHub Copilot roles or personalities | 🎭 |
 | **Skills** | Specialized knowledge of a task for GitHub Copilot | 🧰 |
 | **Collections** | Curated bundles of related prompts, agents, or instructions | 🎁 |
 

README.md

@@ -12,22 +12,22 @@ This repository provides a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing GitHub Copilot wi
 - **👉 [Awesome Prompts](docs/README.prompts.md)** - Focused, task-specific prompts for generating code, documentation, and solving specific problems
 - **👉 [Awesome Instructions](docs/README.instructions.md)** - Comprehensive coding standards and best practices that apply to specific file patterns or entire projects
 - **👉 [Awesome Skills](docs/README.skills.md)** - Self-contained folders with instructions and bundled resources that enhance AI capabilities for specialized tasks
-- **👉 [Awesome Collections](docs/README.collections.md)** - Curated collections of related prompts, instructions, and chat modes organized around specific themes and workflows
+- **👉 [Awesome Collections](docs/README.collections.md)** - Curated collections of related prompts, instructions, agents, and skills organized around specific themes and workflows
 
 ## 🌟 Featured Collections
 
 Discover our curated collections of prompts, instructions, and agents organized around specific themes and workflows.
 
 | Name | Description | Items | Tags |
 | ---- | ----------- | ----- | ---- |
-| [Awesome Copilot](collections/awesome-copilot.md) | Meta prompts that help you discover and generate curated GitHub Copilot chat modes, collections, instructions, prompts, and agents. | 6 items | github-copilot, discovery, meta, prompt-engineering, agents |
+| [Awesome Copilot](collections/awesome-copilot.md) | Meta prompts that help you discover and generate curated GitHub Copilot agents, collections, instructions, prompts, and skills. | 5 items | github-copilot, discovery, meta, prompt-engineering, agents |
 | [Copilot SDK](collections/copilot-sdk.md) | Build applications with the GitHub Copilot SDK across multiple programming languages. Includes comprehensive instructions for C#, Go, Node.js/TypeScript, and Python to help you create AI-powered applications. | 4 items | copilot-sdk, sdk, csharp, go, nodejs, typescript, python, ai, github-copilot |
 | [Partners](collections/partners.md) | Custom agents that have been created by GitHub partners | 20 items | devops, security, database, cloud, infrastructure, observability, feature-flags, cicd, migration, performance |
 
 
 ## MCP Server
 
-To make it easy to add these customizations to your editor, we have created a [MCP Server](https://developer.microsoft.com/blog/announcing-awesome-copilot-mcp-server) that provides a prompt for searching and installing prompts, instructions, and chat modes directly from this repository. You'll need to have Docker installed and running to run the server.
+To make it easy to add these customizations to your editor, we have created a [MCP Server](https://developer.microsoft.com/blog/announcing-awesome-copilot-mcp-server) that provides a prompt for searching and installing prompts, instructions, agents, and skills directly from this repository. You'll need to have Docker installed and running to run the server.
 
 [![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/mcp/vscode) [![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/mcp/vscode-insiders) [![Install in Visual Studio](https://img.shields.io/badge/Visual_Studio-Install-C16FDE?logo=visualstudio&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/mcp/vs)
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Instructions automatically apply to files based on their patterns and provide co
 
 We welcome contributions! Please see our [Contributing Guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details on how to:
 
-- Add new prompts, instructions, or chat modes
+- Add new prompts, instructions, agents, or skills
 - Improve existing content
 - Report issues or suggest enhancements
 
@@ -399,7 +399,6 @@ This project follows the [all-contributors](https://github.com/all-contributors/
 
 - [VS Code Copilot Customization Documentation](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/copilot-customization) - Official Microsoft documentation
 - [GitHub Copilot Chat Documentation](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/copilot-chat) - Complete chat feature guide
-- [Custom Chat Modes](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/chat-modes) - Advanced chat configuration
 - [VS Code Settings](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/settings) - General VS Code configuration guide
 
 ## ™️ Trademarks

collections/awesome-copilot.collection.yml

@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 id: awesome-copilot
 name: Awesome Copilot
-description: "Meta prompts that help you discover and generate curated GitHub Copilot chat modes, collections, instructions, prompts, and agents."
+description: "Meta prompts that help you discover and generate curated GitHub Copilot agents, collections, instructions, prompts, and skills."
 tags: [github-copilot, discovery, meta, prompt-engineering, agents]
 items:
-  - path: prompts/suggest-awesome-github-copilot-chatmodes.prompt.md
-    kind: prompt
   - path: prompts/suggest-awesome-github-copilot-collections.prompt.md
     kind: prompt
   - path: prompts/suggest-awesome-github-copilot-instructions.prompt.md