Creating Prompts

Folder: .github/skills/tsh-creating-prompts/ Used by: Copilot Engineer

Provides templates, guidelines, and a structured process for building custom prompt files (.prompt.md) that trigger specific workflows routed to the right custom agent, with model selection inferred from that agent.

Core Design Principles

• Separation of concerns — A prompt file defines WHAT workflow to execute. It must NOT define WHO the agent is (agent territory) or embed reusable domain knowledge (skill territory).
• Workflow focus — A prompt routes work to a specific agent, which determines the model, and describes workflow steps for a specific task.
• Minimal duplication — Prompts reference skills and agents; they don't duplicate their content.

Prompt File Structure

Section	Purpose
YAML Frontmatter	agent, description fields (model is inferred from agent, not declared)
Workflow Steps	Ordered steps the agent should follow
Input/Output	What the prompt expects and what it produces
Required Skills	Skills the agent must load for this workflow

Key Guidelines

• Every prompt must specify an agent field routing to a tsh- prefixed agent name
• Public prompts must omit the model field; model selection is inferred from the bound agent's own model array
• Prompt filenames follow tsh-<action>.prompt.md convention
• Prompts should not redefine, override, or contradict the agent's identity

Validation Checklist

• YAML frontmatter includes agent, description, and omits a prompt-level model field
• Agent reference uses tsh- prefix
• No personality or behavioral content (agent territory)
• No reusable workflow steps (skill territory)
• No coding standards (instructions territory)

Connected Skills

• tsh-creating-agents — For creating the agent a prompt routes to.
• tsh-creating-skills — For creating skills referenced by the prompt.