Feature Request: Global Hooks Configuration with UserPromptSubmit, Stop, and Notification Events

[jie-meng]

Problem Statement

Currently, GitHub Copilot's hooks implementation has significant limitations compared to similar AI coding assistants like Claude Code and Cursor:

1. No global configuration: Hooks must be configured per repository via .github/copilot-hooks.json, requiring repetitive setup across projects
2. Limited event types: Only basic Start hooks are supported, missing critical lifecycle events
3. Poor developer experience: Cannot set up system-wide preferences for workflow automation

Use Case

I want to play different audio notifications to get immediate feedback during AI interactions:

• UserPromptSubmit: When I submit a prompt to Copilot (AI starts working)
• Stop: When Copilot finishes generating the response
• Notification: When Copilot asks a question or needs my input (different sound to distinguish from completion)

This helps maintain awareness of AI activity without constantly monitoring the terminal, especially during long-running operations or when multitasking.

Comparison with Competitors

Claude Code (docs):

• ✅ Global hooks configuration in user settings
• ✅ Supports UserPromptSubmit, Stop, Notification events
• ✅ Simple setup without per-repository configuration

Cursor (docs):

• ✅ Global hooks configuration
• ✅ Supports multiple lifecycle events including completion and user interaction
• ✅ User-level preferences

GitHub Copilot CLI (docs):

• ❌ Repository-level only (.github/copilot-hooks.json)
• ❌ Only userPromptSubmitted event supported
• ❌ No global/user-level configuration
• ❌ Missing Stop and Notification events
• ❌ And I tried to configure in my repository, never success to play sound when I submit a a prompt

Proposed Solution

1. Add global hooks configuration

   • Support user-level hooks in ~/.config/copilot/hooks.json (or OS-equivalent)
   • Allow global hooks to be overridden by repository-specific hooks when needed

2. Add essential lifecycle events

   • UserPromptSubmit: Triggered when user submits a prompt
   • Stop: Triggered when Copilot completes the response
   • Notification: Triggered when Copilot asks for user input/clarification

3. Example configuration (desired syntax):

{
  "hooks": {
    "UserPromptSubmit": {
      "command": "afplay /path/to/start.mp3 &",
      "description": "Play sound when user submits prompt"
    },
    "Stop": {
      "command": "afplay /path/to/complete.mp3 &",
      "description": "Play sound when Copilot finishes"
    },
    "Notification": {
      "command": "afplay /path/to/question.mp3 &",
      "description": "Play different sound when Copilot needs input"
    }
  }
}