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Optional Agentic Copilot scaffold for Initialize-NovaModule / nova init #194

@stiwicourage

Description

@stiwicourage

Problem

Initialize-NovaModule / nova init can scaffold a module, but they do not currently offer an opinionated way to add the
repository-local Agentic Copilot workflow that NovaModuleTools now uses itself.

Users who want that setup must add it manually after scaffold creation, and the learning path between the example scaffold
and a real new project is less consistent than it should be.

Why this change

We want users to be able to opt into a Nova-style Agentic Copilot workflow from day one, while keeping the feature optional
and preserving a clean default scaffold for users who do not want it.

Scope

Add an optional interactive init question to both the minimal and example scaffold flows.

Use this exact prompt design:

  • Label: Agentic Copilot setup
  • Question: Do you want Nova to add Agentic Copilot setup files to this project?
  • Default: No

Behavior rules:

  • ask in both Initialize-NovaModule and nova init
  • ask in both minimal and example scaffold flows
  • place the question after the Git question
  • keep the feature interactive-only in v1

When the user answers Yes, generate the same Copilot-specific starter package for both flows through one shared
post-scaffold step.

Generated package

  • root:
    • AGENTS.md
    • README.md
    • CONTRIBUTING.md
    • CHANGELOG.md
    • RELEASE_NOTE.md
  • .github/:
    • copilot-instructions.md
    • pull_request_template.md
  • .github/agents/:
    • architect.agent.md
    • powershell-developer.agent.md
    • test-engineer.agent.md
    • reviewer.agent.md
    • release-manager.agent.md
  • .github/instructions/:
    • powershell-coding-standards.instructions.md
    • testing-policy.instructions.md
    • release-policy.instructions.md
  • .github/skills/:
    • markdown-authoring/SKILL.md
    • powershell-module-development/SKILL.md
    • pester-testing/SKILL.md
    • release-and-changelog/SKILL.md
  • .github/prompts/:
    • design-change.prompt.md
    • implement-issue.prompt.md
    • review-change.prompt.md
    • improve-test-coverage.prompt.md
    • prepare-release.prompt.md

Template model

  • Store the starter package under src/resources/agentic-copilot/ as one mirrored tree.
  • Use a dedicated helper to resolve that template root.
  • Treat generated .github/ files as inherited from Nova’s maintained core template set.
  • Keep the starter package mostly generic, with only limited project-specific substitution.
  • Keep the generated content limited to surfaces that exist in a fresh scaffold.

Root-file starter direction

  • README.md
    • short repo description first
    • ## Agentic Copilot workflow
    • numbered 1-4 flow with correct agent + prompt pairings
    • ## Start here follows
  • AGENTS.md
    • thin landing page only
    • ## Workflow with step names only
    • soft transition to ## Authoritative files
    • points to README.md, CONTRIBUTING.md, and the relevant .github/ surfaces
  • CONTRIBUTING.md
    • normal contribution guide first
    • later ## Agentic Copilot workflow
    • short recommended 4-step flow
  • CHANGELOG.md
    • clean starter file with intro text, ## [Unreleased], and all six official section headings
  • RELEASE_NOTE.md
    • clean starter file with intro text, ## [Unreleased], all six official section headings, and the exact placeholder
      under ### Added:
      • No public API or workflow changes in this release. Internal maintenance only.

Out of scope

For v1, do not include:

  • docs-site agent/skill
  • github-actions skill
  • documentation-separation instruction
  • CodeScene-specific skills
  • CI-failure prompt
  • GitHub issue templates
  • provider-neutral or Claude-first setup
  • non-interactive switches/flags for this feature
  • a separate example-only Agentic package baked into src/resources/example

Acceptance criteria

  • Initialize-NovaModule and nova init both ask the new Agentic Copilot question.
  • The question is asked in both minimal and example flows.
  • The question defaults to No.
  • The question appears after the Git question.
  • A Yes answer generates the same Copilot starter package in both flows.
  • The generated package uses the latest Nova-owned starter templates shipped with the installed Nova version.
  • The generated content is limited to surfaces that exist in a fresh scaffold.
  • The starter package is sourced from src/resources/agentic-copilot/ through a dedicated helper.
  • The example README is handled through a small merge strategy instead of being flattened into a generic file.
  • Help/docs/tests are updated to reflect the new init behavior.

Validation

  • Add targeted Pester coverage for:
    • question-set ordering
    • default behavior
    • minimal flow generation
    • example flow generation
    • generated file set
  • Run the normal repository quality loop:
    • pwsh -NoLogo -NoProfile -File ./run.ps1

Open questions

  • None at the feature-scope level.

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