diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index 8baa747243fd..4e50d39132a6 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 ### 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.
 
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