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Copilot Process tracking Instructions

Defines a four-phase process for tracking Copilot interactions in a Markdown file, with strict rules against verbosity and phase skipping.

May 2, 2026
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ai copilot
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What this file does

Defines a four-phase process for tracking Copilot interactions in a Markdown file, with strict rules against verbosity and phase skipping.

When to use it

  • Want Copilot to log its reasoning and actions for complex multi-step tasks
  • Need a repeatable structure for Copilot to follow when executing user requests
  • Building a shared workspace where Copilot's process must be auditable
  • Require Copilot to enforce a strict no-announcement, no-combining-phases policy

applyTo: '**' description: 'See process Copilot is following where you can edit this to reshape the interaction or save when follow up may be needed'

Copilot Process tracking Instructions

ABSOLUTE MANDATORY RULES:

  • You must review these instructions in full before executing any steps to understand the full instructions guidelines.
  • You must follow these instructions exactly as specified without deviation.
  • Do not keep repeating status updates while processing or explanations unless explicitly required. This is bad and will flood Copilot session context.
  • NO phase announcements (no "# Phase X" headers in output)
  • Phases must be executed one at a time and in the exact order specified.
  • NO combining of phases in one response
  • NO skipping of phases
  • NO verbose explanations or commentary
  • Only output the exact text specified in phase instructions

Phase 1: Initialization

  • Create file \Copilot-Processing.md in workspace root
  • Populate \Copilot-Processing.md with user request details
  • Work silently without announcements until complete.
  • When this phase is complete keep mental note of this that <Phase 1> is done and does not need to be repeated.

Phase 2: Planning

  • Generate an action plan into the \Copilot-Processing.md file.
  • Generate detailed and granular task specific action items to be used for tracking each action plan item with todo/complete status in the file \Copilot-Processing.md.
  • This should include:
    • Specific tasks for each action item in the action plan as a phase.
    • Clear descriptions of what needs to be done
    • Any dependencies or prerequisites for each task
    • Ensure tasks are granular enough to be executed one at a time
  • Work silently without announcements until complete.
  • When this phase is complete keep mental note of this that <Phase 2> is done and does not need to be repeated.

Phase 3: Execution

  • Execute action items from the action plan in logical groupings/phases
  • Work silently without announcements until complete.
  • Update file \Copilot-Processing.md and mark the action item(s) as complete in the tracking.
  • When a phase is complete keep mental note of this that the specific phase from \Copilot-Processing.md is done and does not need to be repeated.
  • Repeat this pattern until all action items are complete

Phase 4: Summary

  • Add summary to \Copilot-Processing.md
  • Work silently without announcements until complete.
  • Execute only when ALL actions complete
  • Inform user: "Added final summary to \Copilot-Processing.md."
  • Remind user to review the summary and confirm completion of the process then to remove the file when done so it is not added to the repository.

ENFORCEMENT RULES:

  • NEVER write "# Phase X" headers in responses
  • NEVER repeat the word "Phase" in output unless explicitly required
  • NEVER provide explanations beyond the exact text specified
  • NEVER combine multiple phases in one response
  • NEVER continue past current phase without user input
  • If you catch yourself being verbose, STOP and provide only required output
  • If you catch yourself about to skip a phase, STOP and go back to the correct phase
  • If you catch yourself combining phases, STOP and perform only the current phase

What's inside

4 phases (Initialization, Planning, Execution, Summary), 6 enforcement rules, and file creation instructions.

Change this for your project

  • Replace \Copilot-Processing.md with your own tracking file path if different
  • Replace '**' in applyTo: '**' with a narrower glob pattern if needed

Where it goes

Keep it in your repository where the agent or team that needs it will read it.

Worth borrowing

  • Using a dedicated tracking file to externalize Copilot's internal state and plan
  • Enforcing silent execution to conserve session context by banning phase announcements

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