This PR creates a comprehensive .github/copilot-instructions.md file that provides detailed guidance for GitHub Copilot coding agents working with this packaging repository.

Key Features

The instructions follow an imperative tone throughout and include:

• Repository context: Clear explanation that this is a packaging repository (not source code) that builds Debian/Ubuntu APT packages for Homebridge
• Build process guidance: Detailed Docker commands with explicit timeout warnings for long-running operations (10-40 minutes)
• Architecture handling: Critical warnings about architecture mismatches and why direct build.sh execution fails
• Quick validation scenarios: Fast commands (< 30 seconds) for iterative development without requiring expensive Docker builds
• Network requirements: Documentation of connectivity needs for Docker builds

Validated Commands

All documented commands have been tested and verified to work correctly:

• ✅ Changelog generation tests (stable, beta, custom parameters)
• ✅ Package structure validation
• ✅ JSON file validation for all package.json files
• ✅ Build script syntax checking
• ✅ Dependency verification commands

Critical Guidance

The instructions emphasize key gotchas that would save significant development time:

• NEVER CANCEL warnings for builds that take 10-40 minutes
• Architecture mismatch explanation (script defaults to ARM64, fails on x86_64)
• No traditional testing - this repository uses functional validation only
• Network access requirements for full Docker builds
• Quick validation alternatives for development iterations

The instructions start with a firm directive to trust the provided information and only search for additional context when the instructions are incomplete or incorrect, ensuring agents work efficiently with this well-established build process.

Fixes #179.

💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.