GitHub Copilot

Vendor: GitHub / Microsoft Install name: github-copilot Status: GA Native config: <project>/.github/copilot-instructions.md

Installation

apothem install --harness github-copilot --project /path/to/project

The adapter derives the project instructions file from the shared Apothem rules and governance surface.

Files written: <project>/.github/copilot-instructions.md

Profile-to-native-config mapping

The adapter reads Apothem's shared profile and renders the repo-wide Copilot instructions file on every apothem install or apothem update run. The shared profile is the source of truth; project-local edits to the generated file are backed up before the next sync replaces the Apothem-managed content.

Compatibility notes

GitHub Copilot does not expose a file-based user-global instructions path for this adapter to manage. Apothem targets the documented project-scope instructions file and leaves IDE-level user settings operator-owned.

Apothem treats copilot-instructions.md as one voice among the project's assistant instruction surfaces: the conformity gate's multi-surface coherence check verifies its shared claims stay semantically aligned with the project's other instruction files, so Copilot never receives guidance that contradicts what the rest of the toolchain reads.

Verification

apothem verify --harness github-copilot --project /path/to/project

The verify command confirms that:

1. The native config exists at the expected path.
2. All mandatory fields from the shared profile are present.
3. The adapter-specific verification routine reports success.

Updating

apothem update --harness github-copilot --project /path/to/project

Re-derives the project instructions file from the current shared profile state.

Uninstalling

apothem uninstall --harness github-copilot --project /path/to/project

Removes the native config files written by the adapter. The shared profile YAML and Apothem engine are unaffected.

Conformity gate

python -m apothem.conformity.gate --all .

Troubleshooting

Configuration knobs

See also

• All harnesses — the full catalog of supported tools
• Install guide — install Apothem into this harness
• apothem harnesses reference — list and inspect adapters from the CLI