title: Agent Instructions - Zed description: Configure always-on personal and project instructions for Omega Agent with AGENTS.md and compatible project instruction files.
Instructions
Instructions are always-on context for the Omega Agent. Use instructions for persistent guidance that should apply to every relevant agent interaction.
Use Skills instead when you want reusable task instructions that can be invoked by name.
Zed supports AGENTS.md as the primary instruction file for personal and project-level agent guidance.
Personal Instructions {#personal-instructions}
Personal instructions apply to every project you open with the Omega Agent.
Create or edit:
~/.config/zed/AGENTS.md
On Windows, the equivalent file is under %APPDATA%\Zed\AGENTS.md.
Project Instructions {#project-instructions}
Project instruction files apply to the current project. Zed uses the first matching file in this list:
.rules.cursorrules.windsurfrules.clinerules.github/copilot-instructions.mdAGENT.mdAGENTS.mdCLAUDE.mdGEMINI.md
Project instructions override personal AGENTS.md when they conflict.
Instruction File Support {#support}
| File | Omega Agent | External Agents | Terminal Threads |
|---|---|---|---|
~/.config/zed/AGENTS.md |
Loaded as personal instructions | Not generally used | Not used unless the CLI reads it |
Project AGENTS.md |
Loaded as project instructions | Depends on the agent | Depends on the CLI |
CLAUDE.md |
Loaded as compatible project instructions by Omega Agent | Claude reads natively | Claude Code CLI reads natively |
.github/copilot-instructions.md |
Loaded as compatible project instructions by Omega Agent | Depends on the agent | Depends on the CLI |
External Agents and Terminal Threads may read their own native instruction files directly. Do not assume Zed's instruction loader controls those agents.
Instructions vs. Skills {#instructions-vs-skills}
| Use | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions | Always-on guidance | Repository conventions, preferred tone, project constraints |
| Skills | Reusable task workflows | Code review checklist, release workflow, migration helper |
Migrating from Rules {#migrating-from-rules}
Rules have been replaced by Skills and Instructions:
- reusable, on-demand Rules become Skills
- default, always-on Rules become personal
AGENTS.md - project
.rulesfiles remain supported as compatibility project instruction files