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Clarify the location of md files for Copilot Chat customization within user profiles #8984

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Clarify the location of md files for Copilot Chat customization within user profiles #8984

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2058459
Initial plan
Copilot Oct 20, 2025
195dbd1
Update copilot docs to specify prompts directory in user profile
Copilot Oct 20, 2025
6287430
Update profile links to point to specific section and document defaul…
Copilot Oct 20, 2025
cb27ffa
Remove copilot-specific content from profiles.md and use affirmative …
Copilot Oct 20, 2025
c6e0938
Standardize wording to use 'current profile folder' everywhere
Copilot Oct 20, 2025
203bdd8
Update profile storage information in documentation
CraftyCraftress Oct 20, 2025
12af2e1
Clarify storage locations for user profiles
CraftyCraftress Oct 20, 2025
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10 changes: 8 additions & 2 deletions docs/configure/profiles.md
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Expand Up @@ -405,7 +405,13 @@ If the profile specified does not exist, a new empty profile with the given name

### Where are profiles kept?

Profiles are stored under your User configurations similar to your user settings and keyboard shortcuts.
Files associated with the Default Profile are stored in the User configuration folder.

* **Windows** `%APPDATA%\Code\User`
* **macOS** `$HOME/Library/Application\ Support/Code/User`
* **Linux** `$HOME/.config/Code/User`

Additional profiles are stored in the `profiles` subdirectory within your User configuration folder:

* **Windows** `%APPDATA%\Code\User\profiles`
* **macOS** `$HOME/Library/Application\ Support/Code/User/profiles`
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -435,4 +441,4 @@ When exporting profiles, machine-specific settings are not included because thes

### Why are templates not available when creating a new profile?

Profile templates are hosted externally by VS Code and you can only download and apply a template when you are connected to the internet. Make sure to check your internet connection if you notice that profile templates are not available.
Profile templates are hosted externally by VS Code and you can only download and apply a template when you are connected to the internet. Make sure to check your internet connection if you notice that profile templates are not available.
2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion docs/copilot/chat/copilot-chat-context.md
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Expand Up @@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ Learn more about [chat history and context management](/docs/copilot/chat/copilo

## Custom instructions

With instruction files, you can provide the AI with common guidelines and rules for generating responses that match your coding style and preferences. Instruction files are Markdown files that you can create in your workspace or in your current profile.
With instruction files, you can provide the AI with common guidelines and rules for generating responses that match your coding style and preferences. Instruction files are Markdown files that you can create in your workspace or in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept).

By using instruction files, you can avoid having to repeatedly add common instructions in your chat prompts, and instead have the AI automatically apply these instructions to your chat interactions.

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4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions docs/copilot/customization/custom-chat-modes.md
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Expand Up @@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ The built-in chat modes provide general-purpose configurations for chat in VS Co

Custom chat modes consist of a set of instructions and tools that are applied when you switch to that mode. For example, a "Plan" chat mode could include instructions for generating an implementation plan and only use read-only tools. By creating a custom chat mode, you can quickly switch to that specific configuration without having to manually select relevant tools and instructions each time.

Custom chat modes are defined in a `.chatmode.md` Markdown file, and can be stored in your workspace for others to use, or in your user profile, where you can reuse them across different workspaces.
Custom chat modes are defined in a `.chatmode.md` Markdown file, and can be stored in your workspace for others to use, or in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept), where you can reuse them across different workspaces.

You can reference instructions files and tools (sets) in your custom chat mode file.

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ You can create a chat mode file in your workspace or user profile.

* **Workspace**: By default, workspace chat mode files are stored in the `.github/chatmodes` folder of your workspace. Add more prompt folders for your workspace with the `setting(chat.modeFilesLocations)` setting.

* **User profile**: User chat mode files are stored in the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md). You can sync your user chat mode files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).
* **User profile**: User chat mode files are stored in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept). You can sync your user chat mode files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).

1. Enter a name for the chat mode. This name is used in the chat mode dropdown list in the Chat view.

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4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions docs/copilot/customization/custom-instructions.md
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Expand Up @@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ By using the `applyTo` frontmatter property in the instructions file header, you
Alternatively, you can manually attach an instructions file to a specific chat prompt by using the **Add Context** > **Instructions** option in the Chat view.

* **Workspace instructions files**: are only available within the workspace and are stored in the `.github/instructions` folder of the workspace.
* **User instructions files**: are available across multiple workspaces and are stored in the current [VS Code profile](/docs/configure/profiles.md).
* **User instructions files**: are available across multiple workspaces and are stored in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept).

### Instructions file format

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ To create an instructions file:

* **Workspace**: By default, workspace instructions files are stored in the `.github/instructions` folder of your workspace. Add more instruction folders for your workspace with the `setting(chat.instructionsFilesLocations)` setting.

* **User profile**: User instructions files are stored in the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md). You can sync your user instructions files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).
* **User profile**: User instructions files are stored in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept). You can sync your user instructions files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).

1. Enter a name for your instructions file.

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4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions docs/copilot/customization/prompt-files.md
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Expand Up @@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ They can include task-specific guidelines or reference custom instructions to en
VS Code supports two types of scopes for prompt files:

* **Workspace prompt files**: Are only available within the workspace and are stored in the `.github/prompts` folder of the workspace.
* **User prompt files**: Are available across multiple workspaces and are stored in the current [VS Code profile](/docs/configure/profiles.md).
* **User prompt files**: Are available across multiple workspaces and are stored in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept).

## Prompt file examples

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ To create a prompt file:

* **Workspace**: By default, workspace prompt files are stored in the `.github/prompts` folder of your workspace. Add more prompt folders for your workspace with the `setting(chat.promptFilesLocations)` setting.

* **User profile**: User prompt files are stored in the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md). You can sync your user prompt files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).
* **User profile**: User prompt files are stored in the `prompts` directory within the [current profile folder](/docs/configure/profiles.md#where-are-profiles-kept). You can sync your user prompt files across multiple devices by using [Settings Sync](/docs/configure/settings-sync.md).

1. Enter a name for your prompt file.

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