Module · Copilot Engineer
Prompting the Assistant Well
The context, the instruction and the iteration that turn a request into a change.
TOPIC 01
Context & Instructions
What the assistant already knows, and what you have to tell it.
What you'll practice
- Give the Right Context — guided · beginner
- Write Instructions That Outlive the Chat — practice · intermediate
A command you'll meet
cat ~/copilot/prompts/context.mdThe assistant knows the repository, not your intent. Open the task below for the full walkthrough.
Hands-On Tasks in This Topic (2)
Give the Right Context
The assistant can see the files that are open, not the ones you are thinking about. Write the context rules that close the gap.
Write Instructions That Outlive the Chat
A chat message helps once. An instruction file helps every session. Write the difference.
TOPIC 02
Iterating
The second prompt is usually better than the first - and you should know when to stop.
What you'll practice
- Refine a Request Instead of Restarting — practice · intermediate
- Keep the Scope of a Request Tight — challenge · advanced
A command you'll meet
cat ~/copilot/prompts/iterating.mdA conversation is a conversation, not a sequence of fresh requests. Open the task below for the full walkthrough.
Hands-On Tasks in This Topic (2)
Refine a Request Instead of Restarting
When the answer is wrong, the fix is usually one more sentence, not a new chat. Write the iteration rules.
Keep the Scope of a Request Tight
A request that mentions four features produces four half-finished features. Write the scoping rules the team applies.