Instruction file imported from fabioc-aloha/ai-wallpaper-generator (.github/instructions/copilot-chat-buttons.instructions.md). Copyright stays with the author.

Copilot Chat Action Buttons Pattern

Discovery Date: February 4, 2026
VS Code Version: 1.109+
Category: UX Enhancement

Official VS Code APIs

There are two official ways to create clickable buttons in chat:

1. Command Buttons (Inline)

Use stream.button() to add clickable buttons inline with the response:

stream.button({
    command: 'alex.startSession',
    title: '🎯 Start a Session',
    arguments: []
});

When to use: After completing a task, to offer the next logical action.

2. Follow-up Provider (After Response)

Register a ChatFollowupProvider that returns suggested prompts:

alex.followupProvider = {
    provideFollowups(result, context, token) {
        return [
            { prompt: '/meditate', label: '🧘 Meditate on insights' },
            { prompt: 'What should I focus on next?', label: '🎯 Next steps' }
        ];
    }
};

When to use: Suggest follow-up questions or commands after ANY response.

⚠️ Markdown Emoji Pattern (Unreliable)

The emoji-prefixed markdown pattern:

🧠 Run Self-Actualization First
🌍 Global Knowledge Contribution

This is NOT an official API and may render inconsistently. Use stream.button() or ChatFollowupProvider for guaranteed clickable actions.

Best Practices for Consistent Buttons

In TypeScript Code

1. End responses with stream.button() for primary actions:

stream.markdown('Task completed successfully!\n\n');
stream.button({ command: 'alex.nextStep', title: '➡️ Next Step' });

2. Return metadata so followupProvider knows context:

return { metadata: { command: 'learn', topic: 'typescript' } };

3. Context-aware followups based on result metadata:

if (result.metadata.command === 'learn') {
    return [{ prompt: 'Quiz me on this topic', label: '📝 Quiz' }];
}

In Skills/Prompts (Markdown)

When writing skills or prompts, instruct Alex to use stream.button():

## Response Format

After completing this task, call:
- `stream.button({ command: 'alex.meditate', title: '🧘 Meditate' })`
- `stream.button({ command: 'alex.dream', title: '🌙 Dream' })`

Synapses

• External Implementation: VS Code extension chat participant module (1.0, bidirectional) - "stream.button() and followupProvider implementation"
• .github/prompts/unified-meditation-protocols.prompt.md (0.9, enhancement, outgoing) - "action suggestions in meditation"