Stop Prompting So Much. Do This Instead! | Ep 6 of 8

by Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (featuring Reynald Adolphe) introduces Prompt Files in VS Code and shows how they help you reuse GitHub Copilot prompts for repeatable workflows—like quizzing your codebase or simplifying code—without constantly retyping instructions.

Full summary based on transcript

What Prompt Files are

The presenter explains that Prompt Files let you define a prompt once and reuse it, instead of repeatedly rewriting the same instructions when working with GitHub Copilot in VS Code.

Demo: using an existing prompt file (quiz-open-files)

The video demonstrates running a reusable prompt (named quiz-open-files) to quiz or interrogate the currently open files, showing how Prompt Files can standardize a workflow you might run frequently.

Creating a new prompt file

The presenter walks through creating a new Prompt File in VS Code so the prompt can be stored and reused across sessions, projects, or by other team members.

Modifying a prompt file

The video shows editing the Prompt File to refine the instructions, emphasizing that the value comes from iterating on the prompt once and then reusing the improved version.

Example workflow: simplify and reduce bloated code

The presenter demonstrates using a Prompt File to drive a repeatable “simplify this code” workflow, aiming to reduce bloat and make code easier to understand.

Why Prompt Files matter

The presenter frames Prompt Files as a way to: