Create Agentsmd
GitHubOfficialOriginally contributed by @sinedied as prompts/create-agentsmd.prompt.md; moved into a skill by pull request #761Distributed by GitHub
- Skill
- Content generator
- Agent tooling
- MIT
- No issues found
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill acts as a prompt-based generator for creating an AGENTS.md file, a standardized documentation format designed to help AI coding agents navigate and work within a repository. By providing a dedicated space for technical context, setup commands, and development workflows, it ensures that automated tools have the necessary information to perform tasks effectively without cluttering human-focused documentation.
What it does
- Analyzes repository structure, including build tools, frameworks, and CI/CD configurations.
- Generates a structured AGENTS.md file containing essential project context.
- Provides templates for setup, testing, development workflows, and deployment commands.
- Offers guidance on including monorepo-specific instructions and code style conventions.
- Ensures documentation is actionable by including specific, executable commands for agents.
- Follows established open-format standards compatible with multiple AI coding tools.
When to use it
- When onboarding a new AI coding agent to an existing repository.
- When a project lacks clear, machine-readable instructions for automated tools.
- When you want to improve the performance and accuracy of AI agents working on your codebase.
- When managing complex monorepos that require specific instructions for different subprojects.
- When you need to standardize how agents interact with your build, test, and deployment pipelines.
Advantages
- Improves agent efficiency by providing clear, centralized technical context.
- Reduces the need for human intervention during automated coding tasks.
- Standardizes agent-specific documentation across different projects and teams.
- Complements existing human-readable README files without duplication.
- Compatible with a wide range of AI coding agents and tools.
Usage examples
- “Create an AGENTS.md file for this repository.”
- The agent analyzes the project's package.json, build scripts, and directory structure to generate a tailored AGENTS.md file at the root, populated with relevant setup and testing commands.
- “Update my AGENTS.md to include instructions for our new CI/CD pipeline.”
- The agent reviews the current AGENTS.md and the repository's CI/CD configuration files to append the necessary build and deployment instructions.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/github/create-agentsmd/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip create-agentsmd.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by sinedied
Create high‑quality AGENTS.md file
You are a code agent. Your task is to create a complete, accurate AGENTS.md at the root of this repository that follows the public guidance at https://agents.md/.
AGENTS.md is an open format designed to provide coding agents with the context and instructions they need to work effectively on a project.
What is AGENTS.md?
AGENTS.md is a Markdown file that serves as a "README for agents" - a dedicated, predictable place to provide context and instructions to help AI coding agents work on your project. It complements README.md by containing detailed technical context that coding agents need but might clutter a human-focused README.
Key Principles
Agent-focused: Contains detailed technical instructions for automated tools
Complements README.md: Doesn't replace human documentation but adds agent-specific context
Standardized location: Placed at repository root (or subproject roots for monorepos)
Open format: Uses standard Markdown with flexible structure
Ecosystem compatibility: Works across 20+ different AI coding tools and agents
File Structure and Content Guidelines
1. Required Setup
Create the file as
AGENTS.mdin the repository rootUse standard Markdown formatting
No required fields - flexible structure based on project needs
2. Essential Sections to Include
Project Overview
Brief description of what the project does
Architecture overview if complex
Key technologies and frameworks used
Setup Commands
Installation instructions
Environment setup steps
Dependency management commands
Database setup if applicable
Development Workflow
How to start development server
Build commands
Watch/hot-reload setup
Package manager specifics (npm, pnpm, yarn, etc.)
Testing Instructions
How to run tests (unit, integration, e2e)
Test file locations and naming conventions
Coverage requirements
Specific test patterns or frameworks used
How to run subset of tests or focus on specific areas
Code Style Guidelines
Language-specific conventions
Linting and formatting rules
File organization patterns
Naming conventions
Import/export patterns
Build and Deployment
Build commands and outputs
Environment configurations
Deployment steps and requirements
CI/CD pipeline information
3. Optional but Recommended Sections
Security Considerations
Security testing requirements
Secrets management
Authentication patterns
Permission models
Monorepo Instructions (if applicable)
How to work with multiple packages
Cross-package dependencies
Selective building/testing
Package-specific commands
Pull Request Guidelines
Title format requirements
Required checks before submission
Review process
Commit message conventions
Debugging and Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions
Logging patterns
Debug configuration
Performance considerations
Example Template
Use this as a starting template and customize based on the specific project:
# AGENTS.md
## Project Overview
[Brief description of the project, its purpose, and key technologies]
## Setup Commands
- Install dependencies: `[package manager] install`
- Start development server: `[command]`
- Build for production: `[command]`
## Development Workflow
- [Development server startup instructions]
- [Hot reload/watch mode information]
- [Environment variable setup]
## Testing Instructions
- Run all tests: `[command]`
- Run unit tests: `[command]`
- Run integration tests: `[command]`
- Test coverage: `[command]`
- [Specific testing patterns or requirements]
## Code Style
- [Language and framework conventions]
- [Linting rules and commands]
- [Formatting requirements]
- [File organization patterns]
## Build and Deployment
- [Build process details]
- [Output directories]
- [Environment-specific builds]
- [Deployment commands]
## Pull Request Guidelines
- Title format: [component] Brief description
- Required checks: `[lint command]`, `[test command]`
- [Review requirements]
## Additional Notes
- [Any project-specific context]
- [Common gotchas or troubleshooting tips]
- [Performance considerations]Working Example from agents.md
Here's a real example from the agents.md website:
# Sample AGENTS.md file
## Dev environment tips
- Use `pnpm dlx turbo run where <project_name>` to jump to a package instead of scanning with `ls`.
- Run `pnpm install --filter <project_name>` to add the package to your workspace so Vite, ESLint, and TypeScript can see it.
- Use `pnpm create vite@latest <project_name> -- --template react-ts` to spin up a new React + Vite package with TypeScript checks ready.
- Check the name field inside each package's package.json to confirm the right name—skip the top-level one.
## Testing instructions
- Find the CI plan in the .github/workflows folder.
- Run `pnpm turbo run test --filter <project_name>` to run every check defined for that package.
- From the package root you can just call `pnpm test`. The commit should pass all tests before you merge.
- To focus on one step, add the Vitest pattern: `pnpm vitest run -t "<test name>"`.
- Fix any test or type errors until the whole suite is green.
- After moving files or changing imports, run `pnpm lint --filter <project_name>` to be sure ESLint and TypeScript rules still pass.
- Add or update tests for the code you change, even if nobody asked.
## PR instructions
- Title format: [<project_name>] <Title>
- Always run `pnpm lint` and `pnpm test` before committing.Implementation Steps
Analyze the project structure to understand:
Programming languages and frameworks used
Package managers and build tools
Testing frameworks
Project architecture (monorepo, single package, etc.)
Identify key workflows by examining:
package.json scripts
Makefile or other build files
CI/CD configuration files
Documentation files
Create comprehensive sections covering:
All essential setup and development commands
Testing strategies and commands
Code style and conventions
Build and deployment processes
Include specific, actionable commands that agents can execute directly
Test the instructions by ensuring all commands work as documented
Keep it focused on what agents need to know, not general project information
Best Practices
Be specific: Include exact commands, not vague descriptions
Use code blocks: Wrap commands in backticks for clarity
Include context: Explain why certain steps are needed
Stay current: Update as the project evolves
Test commands: Ensure all listed commands actually work
Consider nested files: For monorepos, create AGENTS.md files in subprojects as needed
Monorepo Considerations
For large monorepos:
Place a main AGENTS.md at the repository root
Create additional AGENTS.md files in subproject directories
The closest AGENTS.md file takes precedence for any given location
Include navigation tips between packages/projects
Final Notes
AGENTS.md works with 20+ AI coding tools including Cursor, Aider, Gemini CLI, and many others
The format is intentionally flexible - adapt it to your project's needs
Focus on actionable instructions that help agents understand and work with your codebase
This is living documentation - update it as your project evolves
When creating the AGENTS.md file, prioritize clarity, completeness, and actionability. The goal is to give any coding agent enough context to effectively contribute to the project without requiring additional human guidance.
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer1.1 KiB
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer1.0 KiB
- SKILL.md7.7 KiB
ATTRIBUTION.md
Attribution
This folder is an unmodified copy of the Agent Skill "create-agentsmd", distributed by AutoGineer (https://autogineer.com/agent-skills).
Commit: 797337f33f73e35d08d82f840e21c4b8c4932d88
Originally contributed by: @sinedied (https://github.com/sinedied) as prompts/create-agentsmd.prompt.md (history: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/commits/9efb8cd3885ad3a445e11de2b6cc7ab3abcbdef6/prompts/create-agentsmd.prompt.md); moved into a skill by pull request #761 (https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/pull/761)
Publisher: GitHub (https://github.com/github)
Licence: MIT License (https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/797337f33f73e35d08d82f840e21c4b8c4932d88/LICENSE)
Licence evidence: repository licence LICENSE
Retrieved: 2026-11-07
The skill's own files are unmodified copies. AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or the publisher.
Files added by AutoGineer
ATTRIBUTION.md: this file, written by AutoGineer
LICENSE: copied from LICENSE
Requirements and compatibility
Written for: GitHub Copilot
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Needs: Needs Node.js
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.
Attribution and licence
- Originally contributed by
@sinediedas prompts/create-agentsmd.prompt.mdmoved into a skill by pull request #761
- Publisher
- GitHub (Official)
- Distributed by
- GitHub
- Source
- github/awesome-copilot · skills/create-agentsmd · commit 797337f
- Licence
- MIT License (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
- Contributors
- sinedied
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by sinedied or GitHub.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download create-agentsmd.zip