USM

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Copilot CLI ​

Local Copilot CLI — ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json with tools

Prerequisites ​

bash
npm install -g @smithgray/usm

Configure MCP ​

Restart required. Save the config file and restart your editor for the MCP server to be picked up.

json
// ~/.copilot/mcp-config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "usm": {
      "command": "usm",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"]
    }
  }
}

Install the rules file ​

USM can install an always-on rules/skills file that enforces the spec-first workflow on every message. After configuring MCP above, run:

bash
usm generate --only rules

This creates:

  • .github/copilot-instructions.md — the detailed skill/workflow file
  • .github/instructions/usm-iron-rules.md — the always-on file (.github/instructions/usm-iron-rules.md)

The always-on file carries short iron rules that re-anchor the workflow on every request — countering drift in long agent sessions.

Verify it's working ​

After configuring, your editor should show the USM MCP server with 18 tools:

  • Read (9): usm_list, usm_read, usm_search, usm_validate, usm_summary, usm_references, usm_get_contracts, usm_get_flows, usm_query
  • Write (9): usm_draft_feature, usm_write_feature, usm_update_feature, usm_update_feature_status, usm_report_feedback, usm_write_system, usm_write_service, usm_update_system, usm_update_service

Next steps ​