Follow the sections in order, then adapt commands to your current environment.
This page is focused on installation and setup. If you are deciding between tools, read our comparison guide: Claude Code vs Cursor vs Copilot.
VS Code with GitHub Copilot supports Agent Skills as an open standard that works across VS Code, GitHub Copilot CLI, and GitHub Copilot coding agent.
Installation Paths
User Skills
~/.vscode/skills/- Personal skills across all workspaces
- Private to your user account
Workspace Skills
.vscode/skills/- Workspace-specific skills
- Can be committed to version control
- Shared with team members
Project Skills (Agent Skills Standard)
.skills/ (recommended)- Project-level skills following Agent Skills standard
- Compatible across multiple AI agents
Installation Methods
Method 1: Manual Installation (Recommended)
For User Skills:
# Create the user skills directory
mkdir -p ~/.vscode/skills/my-skill
# Create the SKILL.md file
cat > ~/.vscode/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md << 'EOF'
---
name: my-skill
description: A brief description of what this skill does and when Copilot should use it
---
# My Skill
Detailed instructions for GitHub Copilot when using this skill.
## When to Use
- Use this skill when...
- This skill is helpful for...
## Instructions
- Step-by-step guidance for Copilot
- Domain-specific conventions
- Best practices and patterns
EOFFor Workspace Skills:
# Create the workspace skills directory
mkdir -p .vscode/skills/my-skill
# Create the SKILL.md file
cat > .vscode/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md << 'EOF'
---
name: project-skill
description: Specialized instructions for this repository
---
# Workspace Specific Skill
Detailed instructions for this specific workspace...
EOFMethod 2: Using Universal Installer
# Install OpenSkills for universal access
npx openskills install anthropics/skills
npx openskills sync
# For VS Code-specific installation
npx openskills install user/repo --target .vscode/skillsSkill Discovery & Activation
Preview Status
Agent Skills in VS Code is currently in preview. To enable it:
- Open VS Code Settings (Ctrl+,)
- Search for "Agent Skills"
- Enable "Copilot: Enable Agent Skills (Preview)"
- Restart VS Code
Activation Process
Copilot determines relevance based on your task and matches it against skill descriptions. Full instructions load only when a skill is activated.
Using Skills in VS Code Chat
Manual Invocation
In Copilot chat, you can mention specific skills using the @ symbol:
@vscode-extension Create a new extension for code formattingAutomatic Invocation
Describe your task naturally, and Copilot will suggest or automatically use relevant skills based on their descriptions.
Next Step: Evaluate Tool Fit
Once setup is complete, use our comparison page to choose the best environment for your workflow: