A collection of AI instruction files designed specifically for Rust developers.
Use these instructions to power intelligent agents in tools like GitHub Copilot, VS Code, or any AI-powered development assistant.
- Instruction sets - predefined prompts and role definitions for Rust-related tasks.
- Agent behavior files - configurations for AI agents to act as Rust coding assistants.
They are tailored for building intelligent Rust developer tools and agents, and are ideal for integration with Copilot, LLMs, and AI-enhanced developer workflows.
Below you'll find ready-to-use instruction packs (openable directly in VS Code) plus a small set of recommended VS Code extensions that pair nicely with these workflows.
The multi-agent pack is a self-contained set of path-specific instructions that work together:
- Folder:
.github/instructions/rust/multi-agent
These instructions are designed for any programming language or workflow and can be used universally in VS Code or other AI-powered tools:
Note: Any AI model can be used with these files β either as instructions or in a chat mode, depending on your setup.
You can use these files in three ways inside VS Code:
- As Custom Instructions (persistent behavior)
- As Chat Mode (temporary session guidance)
- As Agents (multi-step workflows)
This mode makes Copilot always follow the rules from a file.
Good for consistent guidance, e.g., enforcing Rust formatting or coding standards.
Steps:
- Open VS Code.
- Go to Settings β GitHub Copilot β Configure Custom Instructions.
- Copy the content of an instruction file (e.g.,
instructions/rust_refactor.md). - Paste it into the Custom Instructions field.
- Save and restart Copilot.
Now, every Copilot suggestion will be shaped by the Rust-specific instructions.
This mode applies the file only for one chat session.
Good for ad-hoc tasks, e.g., refactoring one module or debugging a function.
Steps:
- Open the Copilot Chat panel (
Ctrl+Shift+I/Cmd+Shift+I). - Paste the content of an instruction file as your first message.
- Continue the conversation β the assistant will follow those rules until the chat resets.
If you're using an agent-style workflow (where the assistant can plan, edit files, and iterate across multiple steps), these instruction files work especially well as a "role + rules" foundation.
Typical flow:
- Open Copilot Chat.
- Switch to an Agent / Agent Mode experience (if your Copilot version supports it).
- Paste the content of one of the instruction files as your first message (or summarize it and link the file), then describe the goal.
- Ask the agent to:
- propose a short plan,
- make small incremental edits,
- and verify results (build/tests) before finishing.
This is great for tasks like: refactors, migrations, lint triage, parser work (Pest), or tightening docs/CI.
| Mode | When to Use | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions | Long-term guidance (always on) | Persistent across sessions |
| Chat Mode | Short-term, task-specific instructions | Only active in one chat |
| Agents | Multi-step tasks (plan β edit β verify) | Can span multiple steps/files |
Tip: Combine both β set general Rust coding rules in Instructions Mode, and use Chat Mode for specific workflows like migrations, refactors, or testing.
This project draws inspiration from prominent AI prompt collections and experts in the developer community:
| Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| burkeholland | Curated AI prompt examples and developer workflows, widely used for improving coding productivity. | Links |
| voidfnc | A collection of advanced AI prompts designed to enhance coding assistants and automation. | Links |
Discover these valuable prompt repositories and resources for AI-assisted development:
| Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Beastmode Chatmode by burkeholland | Powerful chat-based AI prompts for enhanced interaction and code generation workflows. | Links |
| voidfnc Prompts Repo | Diverse prompt templates aimed at improving AI coding helpers and LLM responses. | Links |
| GitHub Awesome Copilot | Community-curated list of tools, prompts, and tips to boost GitHub Copilot usage. | Links |
| System Prompts by x1xhlol | Collection of system-level AI prompts and models for customizing AI assistants. | Links |
| TaskSync by 4regab | AI-driven task management prompts designed to synchronize workflows and productivity. | Links |
Master the art of prompt engineering with this comprehensive guide:
| Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Guide | Official OpenAI guide detailing best practices for crafting effective prompts. | Links |