diff --git a/.github/instructions/go.instructions.md b/.github/instructions/go.instructions.md
new file mode 100644
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@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+applyTo:
+  - "**/*.go"
+---
+# Modern Go (1.26+) — PR Review Guidelines
+
+This project uses **Go 1.26** (`cli/azd/go.mod`). Do not flag modern Go 1.26
+features as errors.
+
+## `new(expr)` creates typed pointers from values
+
+`new(false)`, `new(true)`, `new(0)`, `new("s")` are **valid Go 1.26**. They
+create a pointer to the given value. This replaces helper functions like
+`to.Ptr(val)`. Do NOT suggest `boolPtr()` or `&localVar` replacements.
+
+## Other modern patterns to accept (not flag)
+
+- `errors.AsType[*T](err)` — generic error unwrapping (replaces `var e *T; errors.As(err, &e)`)
+- `for i := range n` — range over integers
+- `t.Context()` — test context (replaces `context.Background()` in tests)
+- `t.Chdir(dir)` — test directory change (replaces `os.Chdir` + deferred restore)
+- `wg.Go(func() { ... })` — WaitGroup shorthand (replaces `wg.Add(1); go func() { defer wg.Done(); ... }()`)
+- `min()`, `max()`, `clear()` — built-in functions
+
+## Review the full file, not just the diff
+
+Before flagging missing imports or undefined references, verify the symbol isn't
+already defined in unchanged portions of the file. The diff context may not show
+all existing imports or declarations.