diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index 4e50d39132a6..d81aaf7c8364 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -14,8 +14,11 @@
 
 ### RULE 3: VERIFY ENVIRONMENT FIRST
 **REQUIRED CONDITIONS:**
-- Always run the [`azsdk_verify_setup`](../eng/common/instructions/azsdk-tools/verify-setup.instructions.md) tool to check the user's development environment setup for using SDK MCP tools. DO NOT PROCEED with running other tools before completing this step. Only skip for queries that don't need tools.
 - To use Azure MCP tool calls, users must have PowerShell installed. Provide [PowerShell installation instructions](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/scripting/install/installing-powershell) if not installed, and recommend restarting the IDE to start the MCP server.
+- When using Copilot from Visual Studio or VS Code (not applicable when using Coding Agent on Github.com):
+  - **Always run** the [`azsdk_verify_setup`](../eng/common/instructions/azsdk-tools/verify-setup.instructions.md) tool first to validate the user's development environment for SDK MCP tools.
+  - **Do not proceed** with any other tool execution until this step is complete.
+  - **Skip this check only** for queries that do not require tool execution.
 
 ---