Copilot inline completion ignores instructions

[CobusKruger]

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: No

• VS Code Version: 1.95.2
• OS Version: Windows 10 Enterprise, 19045.5011
• Version: 1.95.2 (system setup)
  Commit: e865366
  Date: 2024-11-07T11:07:22.054Z
  Electron: 32.2.1
  ElectronBuildId: 10427718
  Chromium: 128.0.6613.186
  Node.js: 20.18.0
  V8: 12.8.374.38-electron.0
  OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.19045

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Add Copilot instructions to the workspace settings:

    "github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.useInstructionFiles": true,
    "github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.instructions": [
        {
            "file": "./copilot instructions/copilot-instructions-ts.md",
            "title": "Instructions for TypeScript code generation",
            "language": "typescript"
        }
    ]

2. Create an instruction file with the correct name. I have this instruction in there:

When generating code iterating an array, always prefer the for-of loop over the forEach method and the normal for loop.

3. Find a sensible place in the code and invoke the chat interface with Ctrl+I. Provide this prompt:

Declare an array of test data containing (among other things) an amount field. Then create a loop that sums the amounts and assign it to a local variable.

Resulting code (as expected):

const testData = [
  { amount: 100 },
  { amount: 200 },
  { amount: 300 },
  { amount: 400 },
  { amount: 500 },
];
let total = 0;
for (const item of testData) {
  total += item.amount;
}

4. In another, equally sensible place, place a comment containing the same prompt:

// Declare an array of test data containing (among other things) an amount field. Then create a loop that sums the amounts and assign it to a local variable.

Resulting code (wrong looping structure):

const testData = [
  { amount: 10 },
  { amount: 20 },
  { amount: 30 }
];
let total = 0;
for (let i = 0; i < testData.length; i++) {
  total += testData[i].amount;
}

Notes:

1. I expect both use case 3 and 4 to generate code using the for-of construct, as was the case for point 3.
2. I can see that my instructions are being considered when using Ctrl+I, because it actually lists my instructions file as a reference. The same cannot be determined (due to the nature of the inline usage), but it definitely doesn't appear to do the same.

[vs-code-engineering]

The described behavior is how it is expected to work. If you disagree, please explain what is expected and what is not in more detail. See also our issue reporting guidelines.

Happy Coding!

[CobusKruger]

@hediet As designed? I showed in some detail that the chat and inline usage yield completely different results. Are you saying that the inline usage won't be changed to use the workspace instructions, or that there is a reason for the difference?

I'm not trying to be difficult, just to understand.