[WIP] ✨ Set up Copilot instructions

[Copilot]

Create comprehensive GitHub Copilot instructions for the Helpful Information repository.

✅ COMPLETED AND FULLY VALIDATED:

• Explore repository structure and understand Angular/Ionic web application
• Test and measure timing for all critical commands:
  • npm install: ~57 seconds
  • npm run setup: <1 second
  • npm run lint: ~16 seconds
  • npm run build: ~16 seconds
  • npm run build:production: ~16 seconds
  • npm test: ~50 seconds
• Validate local development server functionality with local API
• Verify production build and serving capabilities
• Test complete user scenarios (navigation, page loading, data fetching)
• Capture application screenshot for validation
• ✅ Created .github/copilot-instructions.md with comprehensive setup and development guidelines
• ✅ Include exact timing expectations and "NEVER CANCEL" warnings for builds
• ✅ Document complete local development workflow (Google Sheets API + local JSON modes)
• ✅ Include validation scenarios for testing application functionality
• ✅ Add linting, building, and testing requirements for CI compatibility

🎯 Key Features of the Instructions:

✅ Firm Directive: Always reference instructions first, fallback to search only when needed

✅ Comprehensive Setup: Node.js v22 installation, npm install, and environment setup with exact commands

✅ Validated Timings: All commands tested with actual execution times:

• npm install: 57s (timeout: 120s+)
• npm build: 16s (timeout: 30s+)
• npm test: 50s (timeout: 90s+)

✅ "NEVER CANCEL" Warnings: Explicit warnings with timeout recommendations for all long-running commands

✅ Dual Development Modes:

1. Local JSON API (recommended): Uses test data in data/ directory
2. Google Sheets API: Real API integration with Google Sheets

✅ Manual Validation Requirements: Complete user scenario testing including:

• Navigation between pages
• Category and offer browsing
• Search functionality testing
• Production build verification

✅ CI Compatibility: Exact linting and testing requirements to pass GitHub Actions workflows

✅ Known Issues Documentation: TypeScript and Stencil warnings that are non-blocking

✅ Architecture Overview: Key file locations, data flow, and project structure

📸 Application Successfully Running:

The instructions provide everything needed for a GitHub Copilot coding agent to work effectively in this codebase from a fresh clone. Every command has been exhaustively validated to work correctly with proper timing expectations.

🚀 Ready for use: The .github/copilot-instructions.md file contains all necessary information for any coding agent to successfully build, test, run, and navigate this Angular/Ionic web application.

Fixes #1188.

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💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.