diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index d7dafb081..284e2b800 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ When porting from .NET:
 - 4-space indentation (enforced by Spotless with Eclipse formatter)
 - Fluent setter pattern for configuration classes (e.g., `new SessionConfig().setModel("gpt-5").setTools(tools)`)
 - Public APIs require Javadoc (enforced by Checkstyle, except `json` and `events` packages)
-- Pre-commit hook runs `mvn spotless:check` - enable with: `git config core.hooksPath .githooks`
+- Pre-commit hook runs `mvn spotless:check` - Must be manually enabled with: `git config core.hooksPath .githooks`, except in the Copilot coding agent environment. This hook is explicitly enabled in the Copilot coding agent environment. See [copilot-setup-steps.yml](workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml).
 
 ### Handler Pattern
 
@@ -244,6 +244,18 @@ This SDK is designed to be **lightweight with minimal dependencies**:
   5. Check for security vulnerabilities
   6. Get team approval for non-trivial additions
 
+## Pre-commit Hooks and Formatting (Coding Agent)
+
+The repository has a pre-commit hook (`.githooks/pre-commit`) that is **automatically enabled** in the Copilot coding agent environment via `copilot-setup-steps.yml`. The hook runs `mvn spotless:check` on any commit that includes changes under `src/`.
+
+**If a commit fails due to the pre-commit hook:**
+
+1. Run `mvn spotless:apply` to auto-fix formatting issues.
+2. Re-stage the changed files with `git add -u`.
+3. Retry the commit.
+
+**Best practice:** Always run `mvn spotless:apply` before committing Java source changes to avoid hook failures in the first place. If you forget and the hook rejects the commit, follow the three steps above and continue.
+
 ## Commit and PR Guidelines
 
 ### Commit Messages
diff --git a/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml b/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
index 6a0cdec5b..145629457 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/copilot-setup-steps.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ jobs:
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
+      # Enable repository pre-commit hooks (including Spotless checks for relevant source changes)
+      - name: Enable pre-commit hooks
+        run: git config core.hooksPath .githooks
+
       # Verify installations
       - name: Verify tool installations
         run: |
@@ -50,4 +54,6 @@ jobs:
           java -version
           gh --version
           gh aw version
+          echo "--- Git hooks path ---"
+          git config core.hooksPath
           echo "✅ All tools installed successfully"