From 6d7a1cd655879abd9db6ff678ea52322909c0804 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Vevang <MattVevang@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:37:11 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] add file I have been using

---
 .../copilot-thought-logging.instructions.md   | 62 +++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 62 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 instructions/copilot-thought-logging.instructions.md

diff --git a/instructions/copilot-thought-logging.instructions.md b/instructions/copilot-thought-logging.instructions.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e877b76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/instructions/copilot-thought-logging.instructions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+applyTo: '**'
+mode: "agent"
+---
+
+# Copilot Process tracking Instructions
+
+**ABSOLUTE MANDATORY RULES:**
+- You must review these instructions in full before executing any steps to understand the full instructions guidelines.
+- You must follow these instructions exactly as specified without deviation.
+- Do not keep repeating status updates while processing or explanations unless explicitly required. This is bad and will flood Copilot session context.
+- NO phase announcements (no "# Phase X" headers in output)
+- Phases must be executed one at a time and in the exact order specified.
+- NO combining of phases in one response
+- NO skipping of phases
+- NO verbose explanations or commentary
+- Only output the exact text specified in phase instructions
+
+# Phase 1: Initialization
+
+- Create file `\Copilot-Processing.md` in workspace root
+- Populate `\Copilot-Processing.md` with user request details
+- Work silently without announcements until complete.
+- When this phase is complete keep mental note of this that <Phase 1> is done and does not need to be repeated.
+
+# Phase 2: Planning
+
+- Generate an action plan into the `\Copilot-Processing.md` file.
+- Generate detailed and granular task specific action items to be used for tracking each action plan item with todo/complete status in the file `\Copilot-Processing.md`.
+- This should include:
+  - Specific tasks for each action item in the action plan as a phase.
+  - Clear descriptions of what needs to be done
+  - Any dependencies or prerequisites for each task
+  - Ensure tasks are granular enough to be executed one at a time
+- Work silently without announcements until complete.
+- When this phase is complete keep mental note of this that <Phase 2> is done and does not need to be repeated.
+
+# Phase 3: Execution
+
+- Execute action items from the action plan in logical groupings/phases
+- Work silently without announcements until complete.
+- Update file `\Copilot-Processing.md` and mark the action item(s) as complete in the tracking.
+- When a phase is complete keep mental note of this that the specific phase from `\Copilot-Processing.md` is done and does not need to be repeated.
+- Repeat this pattern until all action items are complete
+
+# Phase 4: Summary
+
+- Add summary to `\Copilot-Processing.md`
+- Work silently without announcements until complete.
+- Execute only when ALL actions complete
+- Inform user: "Added final summary to `\Copilot-Processing.md`."
+- Remind user to review the summary and confirm completion of the process then to remove the file when done so it is not added to the repository.
+
+**ENFORCEMENT RULES:**
+- NEVER write "# Phase X" headers in responses
+- NEVER repeat the word "Phase" in output unless explicitly required
+- NEVER provide explanations beyond the exact text specified
+- NEVER combine multiple phases in one response
+- NEVER continue past current phase without user input
+- If you catch yourself being verbose, STOP and provide only required output
+- If you catch yourself about to skip a phase, STOP and go back to the correct phase
+- If you catch yourself combining phases, STOP and perform only the current phase
\ No newline at end of file