Implement Collections feature for grouping related prompts, instructions, and chat modes (#232)

* Initial plan

* Implement core Collections feature with YAML parsing and README generation

Co-authored-by: aaronpowell <[email protected]>

* Complete Collections feature implementation with validation, tooling, and documentation

Co-authored-by: aaronpowell <[email protected]>

* Update generated README files to include collections instructions

* Fix YAML parsing logic bug: replace impossible condition with proper indentation check

Co-authored-by: aaronpowell <[email protected]>

* Refactor: Extract YAML parser to shared module and improve user experience

Co-authored-by: aaronpowell <[email protected]>

* fixing task and file permissions

* Better args handling

* Adding some more collections

---------

Co-authored-by: copilot-swe-agent[bot] <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: aaronpowell <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Aaron Powell <[email protected]>

Author: Copilot

.github/workflows/validate-readme.yml

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ on:
       - "instructions/**"
       - "prompts/**"
       - "chatmodes/**"
+      - "collections/**"
       - "*.js"
 
 jobs:
@@ -26,6 +27,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: "20"
 
+      - name: Validate collections
+        run: node validate-collections.js
+
       - name: Update README.md
         run: node update-readme.js
 

.schemas/collection.schema.json

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "title": "Collection Manifest",
+  "description": "Schema for awesome-copilot collection manifest files",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["id", "name", "description", "items"],
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "properties": {
+    "id": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Unique identifier for the collection",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z0-9-]+$",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "maxLength": 50
+    },
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Display name for the collection",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "maxLength": 100
+    },
+    "description": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "Description of what this collection contains",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "maxLength": 500
+    },
+    "tags": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "description": "Optional tags for discovery",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "pattern": "^[a-z0-9-]+$",
+        "minLength": 1,
+        "maxLength": 30
+      },
+      "uniqueItems": true,
+      "maxItems": 10
+    },
+    "items": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "description": "List of items in this collection",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "maxItems": 50,
+      "items": {
+        "type": "object",
+        "required": ["path", "kind"],
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "properties": {
+          "path": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Relative path from repository root to the item file",
+            "pattern": "^(prompts|instructions|chatmodes)\/[^\/]+\\.(prompt|instructions|chatmode)\\.md$",
+            "minLength": 1
+          },
+          "kind": {
+            "type": "string",
+            "description": "Type of the item",
+            "enum": ["prompt", "instruction", "chat-mode"]
+          }
+        }
+      },
+      "uniqueItems": true
+    },
+    "display": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "description": "Optional display settings for the collection",
+      "additionalProperties": false,
+      "properties": {
+        "ordering": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "How to order items in the collection",
+          "enum": ["manual", "alpha"],
+          "default": "alpha"
+        },
+        "show_badge": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "description": "Whether to show collection badge on items",
+          "default": false
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}

.vscode/tasks.json

@@ -4,13 +4,50 @@
     {
       "label": "generate-readme",
       "type": "shell",
-      "command": "node update-readme.js",
+      "command": "node ${workspaceFolder}/update-readme.js",
       "problemMatcher": [],
       "group": {
         "kind": "build",
         "isDefault": true
       },
       "detail": "Generates the README.md file using update-readme.js script."
+    },
+    {
+      "label": "validate-collections",
+      "type": "shell",
+      "command": "node ${workspaceFolder}/validate-collections.js",
+      "problemMatcher": [],
+      "group": "build",
+      "detail": "Validates all collection manifest files."
+    },
+    {
+      "label": "create-collection",
+      "type": "shell",
+      "command": "node",
+      "args": [
+        "${workspaceFolder}/create-collection.js",
+        "--id",
+        "${input:collectionId}",
+        "--tags",
+        "${input:tags}"
+      ],
+      "problemMatcher": [],
+      "group": "build",
+      "detail": "Creates a new collection manifest template."
+    }
+  ],
+  "inputs": [
+    {
+      "id": "collectionId",
+      "description": "Collection ID (lowercase, hyphen-separated)",
+      "default": "my-collection",
+      "type": "promptString"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "tags",
+      "description": "Comma separated list of tags",
+      "default": "tag1,tag2",
+      "type": "promptString"
     }
   ]
 }

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -100,6 +100,48 @@ You are an expert [domain/role] with deep knowledge in [specific areas].
 - [Best practices to follow]
 ```
 
+### Adding Collections
+
+Collections group related prompts, instructions, and chat modes around specific themes or workflows, making it easier for users to discover and adopt comprehensive toolkits.
+
+1. **Create your collection manifest**: Add a new `.collection.yml` file in the `collections/` directory
+2. **Follow the naming convention**: Use descriptive, lowercase filenames with hyphens (e.g., `python-web-development.collection.yml`)
+3. **Reference existing items**: Collections should only reference files that already exist in the repository
+4. **Test your collection**: Verify all referenced files exist and work well together
+
+#### Creating a collection:
+```bash
+# Using the creation script
+node create-collection.js my-collection-id
+
+# Or using VS Code Task: Ctrl+Shift+P > "Tasks: Run Task" > "create-collection"
+```
+
+#### Example collection format:
+```yaml
+id: my-collection-id
+name: My Collection Name
+description: A brief description of what this collection provides and who should use it.
+tags: [tag1, tag2, tag3] # Optional discovery tags
+items:
+  - path: prompts/my-prompt.prompt.md
+    kind: prompt
+  - path: instructions/my-instructions.instructions.md
+    kind: instruction
+  - path: chatmodes/my-chatmode.chatmode.md
+    kind: chat-mode
+display:
+  ordering: alpha # or "manual" to preserve order above
+  show_badge: false # set to true to show collection badge
+```
+
+#### Collection Guidelines:
+- **Focus on workflows**: Group items that work together for specific use cases
+- **Reasonable size**: Typically 3-10 items work well
+- **Test combinations**: Ensure the items complement each other effectively
+- **Clear purpose**: The collection should solve a specific problem or workflow
+- **Validate before submitting**: Run `node validate-collections.js` to ensure your manifest is valid
+
 ## Submitting Your Contribution
 
 1. **Fork this repository**

README.collections.md

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# 📦 Collections
+
+Curated collections of related prompts, instructions, and chat modes organized around specific themes, workflows, or use cases.
+### How to Use Collections
+
+**Browse Collections:**
+- Explore themed collections that group related customizations
+- Each collection includes prompts, instructions, and chat modes for specific workflows
+- Collections make it easy to adopt comprehensive toolkits for particular scenarios
+
+**Install Items:**
+- Click install buttons for individual items within collections
+- Or browse to the individual files to copy content manually
+- Collections help you discover related customizations you might have missed
+
+| Name | Description | Items | Tags |
+| ---- | ----------- | ----- | ---- |
+| [Azure & Cloud Development](collections/azure-cloud-development.md) | Comprehensive Azure cloud development tools including Infrastructure as Code, serverless functions, architecture patterns, and cost optimization for building scalable cloud applications. | 15 items | azure, cloud, infrastructure, bicep, terraform, serverless, architecture, devops |
+| [C# .NET Development](collections/csharp-dotnet-development.md) | Essential prompts, instructions, and chat modes for C# and .NET development including testing, documentation, and best practices. | 7 items | csharp, dotnet, aspnet, testing |
+| [Database & Data Management](collections/database-data-management.md) | Database administration, SQL optimization, and data management tools for PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and general database development best practices. | 8 items | database, sql, postgresql, sql-server, dba, optimization, queries, data-management |
+| [DevOps On-Call](collections/devops-oncall.md) | A focused set of prompts, instructions, and a chat mode to help triage incidents and respond quickly with DevOps tools and Azure resources. | 5 items | devops, incident-response, oncall, azure |
+| [Frontend Web Development](collections/frontend-web-dev.md) | Essential prompts, instructions, and chat modes for modern frontend web development including React, Angular, Vue, TypeScript, and CSS frameworks. | 11 items | frontend, web, react, typescript, javascript, css, html, angular, vue |
+| [Project Planning & Management](collections/project-planning.md) | Tools and guidance for software project planning, feature breakdown, epic management, implementation planning, and task organization for development teams. | 15 items | planning, project-management, epic, feature, implementation, task, architecture |
+| [Security & Code Quality](collections/security-best-practices.md) | Security frameworks, accessibility guidelines, performance optimization, and code quality best practices for building secure, maintainable, and high-performance applications. | 6 items | security, accessibility, performance, code-quality, owasp, a11y, optimization, best-practices |
+| [Testing & Test Automation](collections/testing-automation.md) | Comprehensive collection for writing tests, test automation, and test-driven development including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end testing strategies. | 11 items | testing, tdd, automation, unit-tests, integration, playwright, jest, nunit |

README.instructions.md

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Team and project-specific instructions to enhance GitHub Copilot's behavior for
 | [Cmake Vcpkg](instructions/cmake-vcpkg.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcmake-vcpkg.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcmake-vcpkg.instructions.md) | C++ project configuration and package management |
 | [ColdFusion Coding Standards for CFC Files](instructions/coldfusion-cfc.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcoldfusion-cfc.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcoldfusion-cfc.instructions.md) | ColdFusion Coding Standards for CFC component and application patterns |
 | [ColdFusion Coding Standards](instructions/coldfusion-cfm.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcoldfusion-cfm.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcoldfusion-cfm.instructions.md) | ColdFusion cfm files and application patterns |
+| [Collections Development](instructions/collections.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcollections.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcollections.instructions.md) | Guidelines for creating and managing awesome-copilot collections |
 | [Containerization & Docker Best Practices](instructions/containerization-docker-best-practices.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcontainerization-docker-best-practices.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fcontainerization-docker-best-practices.instructions.md) | Comprehensive best practices for creating optimized, secure, and efficient Docker images and managing containers. Covers multi-stage builds, image layer optimization, security scanning, and runtime best practices. |
 | [Conventional Commit](instructions/conventional-commit.prompt.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fconventional-commit.prompt.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fconventional-commit.prompt.md) | Prompt and workflow for generating conventional commit messages using a structured XML format. Guides users to create standardized, descriptive commit messages in line with the Conventional Commits specification, including instructions, examples, and validation. |
 | [Convert Spring JPA project to Spring Data Cosmos](instructions/convert-jpa-to-spring-data-cosmos.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Install-0098FF?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fconvert-jpa-to-spring-data-cosmos.instructions.md)<br />[![Install in VS Code Insiders](https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code_Insiders-Install-24bfa5?style=flat-square&logo=visualstudiocode&logoColor=white)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/instructions?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-instructions%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Finstructions%2Fconvert-jpa-to-spring-data-cosmos.instructions.md) | Step-by-step guide for converting Spring Boot JPA applications to use Azure Cosmos DB with Spring Data Cosmos |

README.md

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ This repository provides a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing GitHub Copilot wi
 - **[![Awesome Prompts](https://img.shields.io/badge/Awesome-Prompts-blue?logo=githubcopilot)](README.prompts.md)** - Focused, task-specific prompts for generating code, documentation, and solving specific problems
 - **[![Awesome Instructions](https://img.shields.io/badge/Awesome-Instructions-blue?logo=githubcopilot)](README.instructions.md)** - Comprehensive coding standards and best practices that apply to specific file patterns or entire projects
 - **[![Awesome Chat Modes](https://img.shields.io/badge/Awesome-Chat_Modes-blue?logo=githubcopilot)](README.chatmodes.md)** - Specialized AI personas and conversation modes for different roles and contexts
+- **[![Awesome Collections](https://img.shields.io/badge/Awesome-Collections-blue?logo=githubcopilot)](README.collections.md)** - Curated collections of related prompts, instructions, and chat modes organized around specific themes and workflows
 
 ## MCP Server
 
@@ -76,12 +77,13 @@ We welcome contributions! Please see our [Contributing Guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.
 ├── prompts/          # Task-specific prompts (.prompt.md)
 ├── instructions/     # Coding standards and best practices (.instructions.md)
 ├── chatmodes/        # AI personas and specialized modes (.chatmode.md)
+├── collections/      # Curated collections of related items (.collection.yml)
 └── scripts/          # Utility scripts for maintenance
 ```
 
 ## 🌟 Getting Started
 
-1. **Browse the Collections**: Check out our comprehensive lists of [prompts](README.prompts.md), [instructions](README.instructions.md), and [chat modes](README.chatmodes.md).
+1. **Browse the Collections**: Check out our comprehensive lists of [prompts](README.prompts.md), [instructions](README.instructions.md), [chat modes](README.chatmodes.md), and [collections](README.collections.md).
 2. **Add to your editor**: Click the "Install" button to install to VS Code, or copy the file contents for other editors.
 3. **Start Using**: Copy prompts to use with `/` commands, let instructions enhance your coding experience, or activate chat modes for specialized assistance.