Chat input variables in copilot prompt customization docs not explained and no example provided

[alexhh-inceptive]

Hi,

The prompt customization features of copilot are great and nicely documented. However, there is a reference to using chat input variables in the prompt file structure:

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/copilot-customization

Input variables - ${input:variableName}, ${input:variableName:placeholder} (pass values to the prompt from the chat input field

However, there is no example of this, and when I add an input variable to a prompt file it's unclear how to use it.

Would appreciate some help with this. Thanks!

[ntrogh]

@alexhh-inceptive thanks for experimenting with prompt files.
About the input variables, you can pass the values in the chat input field by using <variable name>: <value>

Example prompt file (create-test.prompt.md):

Create a unit test using Jest.
Use the following class name: ${input:class_name}.

In the chat input field, you can then invoke the prompt file like this:

/create-test class_name: MyTest

I'll update the docs to include an example.

[alexhh-inceptive]

ok cool! thanks for the very quick response, will try this out

[alexhh-inceptive]

@ntrogh is it possible to reference e.g. file names or tools via input variables?

[ntrogh]

@alexhh-inceptive You can reference a file name in the input variable and it should be picked up when you run the prompt.
About the tools, what specific scenario do you have in mind?

[alexhh-inceptive]

nothing concrete, and i guess if i use # with e.g. /create-test that will still work, so maybe this isnt important. Thanks!