Copilot Prompt Hooks

Auto-run Copilot prompt files when your workspace opens — bringing Claude Code's "Hooks" concept to VS Code and GitHub Copilot.

Features

Auto-run prompts on workspace open: Automatically execute a .prompt.md file when VS Code opens your workspace
User consent flow: First-run notification asks permission before auto-running prompts (like VS Code's folderOpen tasks)
Command fallback: Tries multiple Copilot command APIs to maximize compatibility
Prompt scaffolding: Create starter prompt files from templates (Daily Standup, Project Context, Code Review Prep)
Hooks configuration: Configure hooks via .vscode/copilot-hooks.json for more control

Quick Start

Install the extension
Open a workspace
Run "Copilot Hooks: Create Startup Prompt File" from the Command Palette
Select a template and location
The prompt will auto-run next time you open this workspace

Extension Settings

Setting	Default	Description
`copilotPromptHooks.enabled`	`true`	Enable auto-running prompt files on workspace open
`copilotPromptHooks.startupPromptPath`	`""`	Path to the prompt file (relative to workspace root). If empty, searches for `startup.prompt.md`
`copilotPromptHooks.autoRunDelay`	`2000`	Delay (ms) before auto-running prompt after workspace opens
`copilotPromptHooks.runOncePerSession`	`true`	Only run the startup prompt once per VS Code session
`copilotPromptHooks.requireConsent`	`true`	Require user consent before auto-running prompts in a new workspace
`copilotPromptHooks.promptFilePattern`	`*/.prompt.md`	Glob pattern for discovering prompt files

Commands

Command	Description
Copilot Hooks: Run Prompt File	Run the configured startup prompt
Copilot Hooks: Select and Run Prompt File	Pick from all prompt files in workspace
Copilot Hooks: Create Startup Prompt File	Create a new prompt file from templates
Copilot Hooks: Configure Hooks	Open/create the hooks configuration file
Copilot Hooks: Reset Workspace Consent	Reset consent to be prompted again

Hooks Configuration

For advanced control, create .vscode/copilot-hooks.json:

{
  "$schema": "./copilot-hooks.schema.json",
  "hooks": {
    "SessionStart": [
      {
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "prompt",
            "promptFile": "startup.prompt.md",
            "description": "Run startup prompt when workspace opens"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Prompt File Discovery

The extension searches for startup prompts in this order:

startup.prompt.md in workspace root
.github/prompts/startup.prompt.md
.vscode/startup.prompt.md
First *.prompt.md found in workspace

Inspiration

This extension brings the "Hooks" concept from Claude Code to VS Code and GitHub Copilot, enabling lifecycle-based automation for AI-assisted development.

Requirements

VS Code 1.108.1 or later
GitHub Copilot extension (recommended)

Known Limitations

The exact Copilot command for running prompts may vary by VS Code version; the extension tries multiple fallbacks
Currently only supports SessionStart hooks; PreChat/PostChat hooks are planned for future versions

Release Notes

0.0.1

Initial release with:

Auto-run prompts on workspace open
User consent flow
Prompt file scaffolding with templates
Hooks configuration via JSON file

Split the editor (Cmd+\ on macOS or Ctrl+\ on Windows and Linux).
Toggle preview (Shift+Cmd+V on macOS or Shift+Ctrl+V on Windows and Linux).
Press Ctrl+Space (Windows, Linux, macOS) to see a list of Markdown snippets.

For more information

Enjoy!

Copilot Prompt Hooks

PeterMaynard

Copilot Prompt Hooks

Features

Quick Start

Extension Settings

Commands

Hooks Configuration

Prompt File Discovery

Inspiration

Requirements

Known Limitations

Release Notes

0.0.1

For more information