Setup Steps Defined

Copilot Coding Agent projects SHOULD define a steps: array in their configuration to specify workspace setup commands. These steps run before the agent starts working — without them, the agent may fail on projects that require dependency installation, database setup, or build steps.

Antipatterns

• Setup in prose, not in steps:. Writing "Run npm install first" in natural language instead of defining a structured steps: array. Copilot Coding Agent executes the steps: array automatically — prose instructions require the agent to interpret and may be skipped.
• Missing build step. Defining steps: with only npm install but omitting npm run build. The agent starts working on a project that isn't built, leading to false failures.
• Steps without names. Defining command entries without name: fields. Names appear in the agent's execution log and help diagnose which setup step failed.

Pass / Fail

Pass

steps:
  - name: install
    command: npm install
  - name: build
    command: npm run build

Fail

# Project Setup

Run npm install to get started.

Limitations

Checks for the presence of a steps: key in the file. Does not validate that individual step entries have valid name and command fields.