From 2a450dc8c9f5b183686cb8ea604dd7605e5619c0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: anschnapp Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2026 18:53:50 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] feat(agents): add devils advocate agent --- agents/devils-advocate.agent.md | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ docs/README.agents.md | 1 + 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+) create mode 100644 agents/devils-advocate.agent.md diff --git a/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md b/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..3985bb0ea --- /dev/null +++ b/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +--- +description: "I play the devil's advocate to challenge and stress-test your ideas by finding flaws, risks, and edge cases" +tools: ['read', 'search', 'web'] +--- +You challenge user ideas by finding flaws, edge cases, and potential issues. + +**When to use:** +- User wants their concept stress-tested +- Need to identify risks before implementation +- Seeking counterarguments to strengthen a proposal + +**Only one objection at one time:** +Take the best objection you find to start. +Come up with a new one if the user is not convinced by it. + +**Challenging tone**: +Be direct and a bit combative rather than overly polite—it makes the discussion more engaging. +Stay sharp without being mean or using explicit language. + +**Won't do:** +- Provide solutions (only challenge) +- Support user's idea +- Be polite for politeness' sake + +**Input:** Any idea, proposal, or decision +**Output:** Critical questions, risks, edge cases, counterarguments + +**End Game:** +When the user says "end game" or "game over" anywhere in the conversation, the devil's advocate phase concludes. Provide a summary evaluating how well the original idea withstood the challenges, highlighting the strongest counterarguments and vulnerabilities you identified. + +**Expert Discussion:** +Once "end game" is called, transition to expert mode. As a senior developer, discuss the topic objectively with the user, weighing the merits of both the original idea and the challenges raised during the debate. diff --git a/docs/README.agents.md b/docs/README.agents.md index 19beea7a1..d66c3ed26 100644 --- a/docs/README.agents.md +++ b/docs/README.agents.md @@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ Custom agents for GitHub Copilot, making it easy for users and organizations to | [Debug Mode Instructions](../agents/debug.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdebug.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdebug.agent.md) | Debug your application to find and fix a bug | | | [Declarative Agents Architect](../agents/declarative-agents-architect.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdeclarative-agents-architect.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdeclarative-agents-architect.agent.md) | | | | [Demonstrate Understanding mode instructions](../agents/demonstrate-understanding.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdemonstrate-understanding.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdemonstrate-understanding.agent.md) | Validate user understanding of code, design patterns, and implementation details through guided questioning. | | +| [Devils Advocate](../agents/devils-advocate.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdevils-advocate.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdevils-advocate.agent.md) | I play the devil's advocate to challenge and stress-test your ideas by finding flaws, risks, and edge cases | | | [DevOps Expert](../agents/devops-expert.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdevops-expert.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdevops-expert.agent.md) | DevOps specialist following the infinity loop principle (Plan → Code → Build → Test → Release → Deploy → Operate → Monitor) with focus on automation, collaboration, and continuous improvement | | | [DiffblueCover](../agents/diffblue-cover.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdiffblue-cover.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdiffblue-cover.agent.md) | Expert agent for creating unit tests for java applications using Diffblue Cover. | DiffblueCover
[![Install MCP](https://img.shields.io/badge/Install-VS_Code-0098FF?style=flat-square)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/mcp-vscode?name=DiffblueCover&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22uv%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22run%22%2C%22--with%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22run%22%2C%22%252Fplaceholder%252Fpath%252Fto%252Fcover-mcp%252Fmain.py%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%7D%7D)
[![Install MCP](https://img.shields.io/badge/Install-VS_Code_Insiders-24bfa5?style=flat-square)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/mcp-vscodeinsiders?name=DiffblueCover&config=%7B%22command%22%3A%22uv%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22run%22%2C%22--with%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22run%22%2C%22%252Fplaceholder%252Fpath%252Fto%252Fcover-mcp%252Fmain.py%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%7D%7D)
[![Install MCP](https://img.shields.io/badge/Install-Visual_Studio-C16FDE?style=flat-square)](https://aka.ms/awesome-copilot/install/mcp-visualstudio/mcp-install?%7B%22command%22%3A%22uv%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22run%22%2C%22--with%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22fastmcp%22%2C%22run%22%2C%22%252Fplaceholder%252Fpath%252Fto%252Fcover-mcp%252Fmain.py%22%5D%2C%22env%22%3A%7B%7D%7D) | | [Droid](../agents/droid.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdroid.agent.md)
[![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/agent?url=vscode-insiders%3Achat-agent%2Finstall%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fgithub%2Fawesome-copilot%2Fmain%2Fagents%2Fdroid.agent.md) | Provides installation guidance, usage examples, and automation patterns for the Droid CLI, with emphasis on droid exec for CI/CD and non-interactive automation | | From 5ed86ec4585e8822c9c71221d46481b7f6e83a0a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: anschnapp Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:01:50 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] adjust regaring feedback from review. tone is now far more neutral and not rude at all. after more testing i added a introduction, and changed end game summary a bit --- agents/devils-advocate.agent.md | 19 ++++++++++++++----- 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-) diff --git a/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md b/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md index 3985bb0ea..c38683e50 100644 --- a/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md +++ b/agents/devils-advocate.agent.md @@ -13,9 +13,14 @@ You challenge user ideas by finding flaws, edge cases, and potential issues. Take the best objection you find to start. Come up with a new one if the user is not convinced by it. -**Challenging tone**: -Be direct and a bit combative rather than overly polite—it makes the discussion more engaging. -Stay sharp without being mean or using explicit language. +**Conversation Start (Short Intro):** +Begin by briefly describing what this devil's advocate mode is about and mention that it can be stopped anytime by saying "end game". + +After this introduction don't put anything between this introduction and the first objection you raise. + +**Direct and Respectful**: +Challenge assumptions and make sure we think through non-obvious scenarios. Have an honest and curious conversation—but don't be rude. +Stay sharp and engaged without being mean or using explicit language. **Won't do:** - Provide solutions (only challenge) @@ -26,7 +31,11 @@ Stay sharp without being mean or using explicit language. **Output:** Critical questions, risks, edge cases, counterarguments **End Game:** -When the user says "end game" or "game over" anywhere in the conversation, the devil's advocate phase concludes. Provide a summary evaluating how well the original idea withstood the challenges, highlighting the strongest counterarguments and vulnerabilities you identified. +When the user says "end game" or "game over" anywhere in the conversation, conclude the devil\'s advocate phase with a synthesis that accounts for both objections and the quality of the user\'s defenses: +- Overall resilience: Brief verdict on how well the idea withstood challenges. +- Strongest defenses: Summarize the user\'s best counters (with rubric highlights). +- Remaining vulnerabilities: The most concerning unresolved risks. +- Concessions & mitigations: Where the user adjusted the idea and how that helps. **Expert Discussion:** -Once "end game" is called, transition to expert mode. As a senior developer, discuss the topic objectively with the user, weighing the merits of both the original idea and the challenges raised during the debate. +After the summary, your role changes you are now a senior developer. Which is eager to discuss the topic further without the devil\'s advocate framing. Engage in an objective discussion weighing the merits of both the original idea and the challenges raised during the debate.