docs/content/copilot/concepts/agents/coding-agent/about-custom-agents.md

title, shortTitle, intro, product, versions, topics

title	shortTitle	intro	product	versions	topics
About custom agents	Custom agents	{% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_caps_short %} enhance {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} with specialized assistance tailored to your needs.	{% data reusables.gated-features.copilot-coding-agent %}<br><a href="https://github.com/features/copilot/plans?ref_product=copilot&ref_type=purchase&ref_style=button&utm_source=docs-signup-custom-agents&utm_medium=docs&utm_campaign=universe25post" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary mt-3 mr-3 no-underline"><span>Sign up for {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}</span> {% octicon "link-external" height:16 %}</a>	feature copilot	Copilot

About {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %}

{% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_caps_short %} are specialized versions of {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %} that you can tailor to your unique workflows, coding conventions, and use cases. Instead of repeatedly providing the same instructions and context, {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %} allow you to define specialized agents that act like tailored teammates—following standards, using the right tools, and implementing team-specific practices.

{% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_caps_short %} are defined using Markdown files, called {% data variables.copilot.agent_profiles %}, that specify prompts, tools, and MCP servers. This allows individuals and teams to encode their conventions, frameworks, and desired outcomes directly into {% data variables.product.prodname_copilot_short %}. The {% data variables.copilot.agent_profile %} serves as the artifact that defines the custom agent's behavior, and assigning the agent to a task or issue instantiates the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_custom_agent_short %}.

{% data variables.copilot.agent_profile_caps %} format

{% data variables.copilot.agent_profiles_caps %} are Markdown files with YAML frontmatter. In their simplest form, they include:

• Name: A unique identifier for the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_custom_agent_short %}
• Description: Explains the agent's purpose and capabilities
• Prompt: Custom instructions that define the agent's behavior and expertise
• Tools: Specific tools the agent can access. This is optional, and the default is access to all available tools, including built-in tools and MCP server tools.

Organization and enterprise-level {% data variables.copilot.agent_profiles %} can also include MCP server configurations within the {% data variables.copilot.agent_profile %}, using the mcp-server property.

Example {% data variables.copilot.agent_profile %}

This is a basic {% data variables.copilot.agent_profile %} with name, description, and prompt configured.

---
name: readme-creator
description: Agent specializing in creating and improving README files
---

You are a documentation specialist focused on README files. Your scope is limited to README  files or other related documentation files only - do not modify or analyze code files.

Focus on the following instructions:
- Create and update README.md files with clear project descriptions
- Structure README sections logically: overview, installation, usage, contributing
- Write scannable content with proper headings and formatting
- Add appropriate badges, links, and navigation elements
- Use relative links (e.g., `docs/CONTRIBUTING.md`) instead of absolute URLs for files within the repository
- Make links descriptive and add alt text to images

Where you can configure {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %}

You can define {% data variables.copilot.agent_profiles %} at the repository level (.github/agents/CUSTOM-AGENT-NAME.md in your repository) for project-specific agents, or at the organization or enterprise level (/agents/CUSTOM-AGENT-NAME.md in a .github-private repository) for broader availability. See AUTOTITLE and AUTOTITLE.

Where you can use {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %}

Once created, your {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %} are available wherever you can use {% data variables.copilot.copilot_coding_agent %}, including {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %} (the agents tab and panel, issue assignment, pull requests), the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_cli %}, and {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}. Each interaction maintains consistency based on the agent's defined profile, ensuring targeted support tailored to your specific needs.

{% data variables.copilot.agent_profiles_caps %} can be used directly in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}, though some properties may function differently or be ignored between the {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %} and {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} environments. See {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_caps_short %} in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} documentation.

Next steps

To start creating your own {% data variables.copilot.custom_agents_short %}, see AUTOTITLE.