Replit Agent Can Now Be Customized: What Has Changed?
On June 20, 2026, Replit announced the launch of a long-awaited feature—the ability to customize the built-in AI agent using Skills and Custom Instructions. Now developers can not only rely on the neural network's default behavior but also adapt it to their projects, coding style, and tech stack. This is a significant step forward for the Vibe Coding platform, where AI helps write, debug, and deploy applications.
Details of the news are in the official Replit blog: Source.
What Are Custom Instructions and Skills?
Custom Instructions are text prompts that you set once, and the agent remembers them for the entire work session. For example, you can specify:
- "Always use TypeScript with strict mode"
- "Write comments in Russian"
- "Do not use third-party libraries without my permission"
Skills are more complex knowledge blocks that can be attached to the agent. They contain code examples, algorithms, links to documentation, and even API keys. Each Skill is essentially a mini-module that expands the AI's knowledge base.
Why Is This Important for Vibe Coding?
Before this feature, the Replit AI agent was universal but not always precise in details. It might suggest a Python solution when you needed Go, or ignore corporate coding standards. Now:
- Project personalization. You load Skills for a specific framework—React, Django, Flask—and the agent immediately uses best practices.
- Fewer edits. The agent makes fewer syntax and architecture mistakes because it knows your preferences.
- Faster onboarding. Newcomers can connect Skills with ready-made templates and avoid spending time learning all the platform's nuances.
How to Use Custom Instructions in Practice
Here are a few scenarios useful for every developer:
- Language control. If you write code in a mix of Python and JavaScript, specify: "For the backend, use Python 3.11; for the frontend, use JavaScript ES2022." The agent won't mix them up.
- Security. Prohibit the agent from using outdated libraries: "Do not use libraries with a version below 2.0 unless explicitly stated."
- Code style. Set a rule: "Always add JSDoc comments to functions." The agent will generate documented code automatically.
How to Configure Skills for Your Project
Skills can be created from ready-made blocks or written from scratch. Suppose you work with Next.js and want the agent to always suggest server components. Create a Skill with the description:
name: Next.js Best Practices
description: Use server components by default
rules:
- prefer server components over client components
- use app directory structure
- avoid 'use client' unless necessary
After connecting this Skill, the agent will automatically follow these rules when generating code.
Example: Customization for Working with Databases
Imagine you are building an application with Supabase and Prisma. Instead of reminding the agent about the database schema every time, you load a Skill with model descriptions and relationships. The agent will generate migrations and queries that match your data structure.
What does this give you?
- Fewer errors in SQL queries.
- Code consistency within the team.
- Rapid prototyping without manually entering repetitive settings.
Practical Tips for Maximum Efficiency
- Combine Instructions and Skills. Use Custom Instructions for general rules (language, style) and Skills for specialized knowledge (libraries, APIs).
- Test on small projects. Before implementing customization in a large production environment, check how the agent responds to new instructions in an isolated setting.
- Update Skills regularly. Technologies change—if you switch to a new framework version, update the corresponding Skill.
Conclusion
The ability to customize
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