## Context
Noticed while working on #43913 that `copilot-instructions.md` is
currently at ~4,600 characters. Per [GitHub's docs on Copilot code
review](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/request-a-code-review/use-code-review):
> Copilot code review only reads the first 4,000 characters of any
custom instruction file. Any instructions beyond this limit will not
affect the reviews generated by Copilot code review.
This means the testing section at the bottom of our current file isn't
being read during reviews.
## Proposal
Split the single file into path-specific instruction files under
`.github/instructions/`, following [GitHub's recommended pattern for
repository custom
instructions](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/configure-custom-instructions/add-repository-instructions):
> These are specified in one or more `NAME.instructions.md` files within
or below the `.github/instructions` directory.
> If the path you specify matches a file that Copilot is working on, and
a repository-wide custom instructions file also exists, then the
instructions from both files are used.
This gives us separate files that each stay under the 4K limit and get
combined automatically by Copilot during reviews:
| File | Size | Scope |
|------|------|-------|
| `copilot-instructions.md` | 929 chars | General repo context +
pointers |
| `instructions/studio-telemetry.instructions.md` | 3,570 chars |
Telemetry rules for `apps/studio/**` |
| `instructions/studio-testing.instructions.md` | 1,228 chars | Testing
rules for `apps/studio/**` |
Note: Copilot reads instructions from the **base branch** of a PR, not
the feature branch — so these won't take effect until merged to master.
### New telemetry guidance
The telemetry file adds guidance we've been missing — specifically
around feature-flagged rollouts:
- Flag PRs that use `usePHFlag`/`useFlag` to gate behavior but don't
capture the flag state in telemetry
- Flag rollouts that track flag state but not user response to the new
behavior
- Documents the raw flag pattern (read via `usePHFlag`, not coerced
wrapper hooks) to avoid the `undefined`→`false` data quality bug we hit
in #43913
### What didn't change
All existing telemetry and testing rules are preserved — nothing was
removed, just reorganized. The telemetry rules still reference
`.claude/skills/telemetry-standards/SKILL.md` as the authoritative
source.
## References
- [Adding repository custom instructions for GitHub
Copilot](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/configure-custom-instructions/add-repository-instructions)
— file structure, path-specific instructions, frontmatter format
- [Using Copilot code
review](https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/how-tos/use-copilot-agents/request-a-code-review/use-code-review)
— 4K character limit, base branch behavior
## Open questions
Would love the team's input on:
- Does the file split make sense, or would you prefer keeping everything
in one file (and trimming to fit)?
- Are there other topics that should get their own instruction file?
- Any concerns with the new feature flag telemetry guidance?
## Summary
Adds `.github/copilot-instructions.md` to configure GitHub Copilot Code
Review with telemetry and testing guidelines. Replaces CodeRabbit as our
automated PR reviewer. Copilot will now advisory-comment when PRs touch
growth-oriented components (onboarding, upgrade CTAs, A/B experiments)
without telemetry tracking, or when Studio changes lack appropriate test
coverage.
## Changes
- Add `.github/copilot-instructions.md` with:
- Telemetry review rules: event naming (`[object]_[verb]`), property
conventions, `useTrack` enforcement, missing tracking suggestions for
growth surfaces
- Testing review rules: logic extraction to `.utils.ts`, test type
decision tree, file naming conventions
- Repo context and references to full Claude skill docs
## Testing
- [x] Verified `.github/copilot-instructions.md` is the correct path for
Copilot Code Review
- [x] Rules are condensed from existing Claude skills
(`telemetry-standards`, `studio-testing`) — verified alignment
## Linear
- fixes GROWTH-698
---------
Co-authored-by: Copilot Autofix powered by AI <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
