diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index d4bc690db2bf..fa280f828d2e 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -143,6 +143,12 @@ For compatibility with specific branches:
 - **Never** check in changes to `templatestrings.json` files
 - These files are automatically generated and should not be modified manually
 
+### File Reset Guidelines for AI Agents
+Since coding agents function as both CI and pair programmers, they need to handle CI-generated files appropriately:
+
+- **Always reset changes to `cgmanifest.json` files** - These are generated during CI builds and should not be committed by coding agents
+- **Always reset changes to `templatestrings.json` files** - These localization files are auto-generated and should not be committed by coding agents
+
 ### Branching
 - `main` - For bug fixes without API changes
 - `net10.0` - For new features and API changes
diff --git a/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml b/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
index cd8cdfe953d2..0d6a0fd38435 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
@@ -35,3 +35,8 @@ jobs:
           dotnet --version
           dotnet --info
           dotnet workload --info
+
+      - name: Reset tracked files to clean workspace
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          git reset --hard HEAD