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APIs & servers (backend)40k · #5112

declarative-agents

Lets your agent create agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot. It offers complete workflows and tool integration.

What it does

This development kit helps you create and manage 'agents' for Microsoft 365 Copilot. It provides guidance for building simple or complex agents, testing them, and ensuring they function correctly.

When to use it

  • ✓When creating your first Copilot agent.
  • ✓When you need a more advanced agent for enterprise tasks.
  • ✓When checking if an existing agent is working well.

Example of what to ask your AI

“I want to create a basic agent that searches the internet and accesses OneDrive files.”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/declarative-agents/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/declarative-agents/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

You choose one of three paths (basic, advanced, or validation) and follow the instructions. The kit helps define what the agent will do, what tools it can use, and how it should behave, generating the necessary files.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill declarative-agents

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/declarative-agents/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Microsoft 365 Declarative Agents Development Kit

I'll help you create and develop Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents using the latest v1.5 schema with comprehensive TypeSpec and Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit integration. Choose from three specialized workflows:

Workflow 1: Basic Agent Creation

Perfect for: New developers, simple agents, quick prototypes

I'll guide you through:

  1. Agent Planning: Define purpose, target users, and core capabilities
  2. Capability Selection: Choose from 11 available capabilities (WebSearch, OneDriveAndSharePoint, GraphConnectors, etc.)
  3. Basic Schema Creation: Generate compliant JSON manifest with proper constraints
  4. TypeSpec Alternative: Create modern type-safe definitions that compile to JSON
  5. Testing Setup: Configure Agents Playground for local testing
  6. Toolkit Integration: Leverage Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit for enhanced development

Workflow 2: Advanced Enterprise Agent Design

Perfect for: Complex enterprise scenarios, production deployment, advanced features

I'll help you architect:

  1. Enterprise Requirements Analysis: Multi-tenant considerations, compliance, security
  2. Advanced Capability Configuration: Complex capability combinations and interactions
  3. Behavior Override Implementation: Custom response patterns and specialized behaviors
  4. Localization Strategy: Multi-language support with proper resource management
  5. Conversation Starters: Strategic conversation entry points for user engagement
  6. Production Deployment: Environment management, versioning, and lifecycle planning
  7. Monitoring & Analytics: Implementation of tracking and performance optimization

Workflow 3: Validation & Optimization

Perfect for: Existing agents, troubleshooting, performance optimization

I'll perform:

  1. Schema Compliance Validation: Full v1.5 specification adherence checking
  2. Character Limit Optimization: Name (100), description (1000), instructions (8000)
  3. Capability Audit: Verify proper capability configuration and usage
  4. TypeSpec Migration: Convert existing JSON to modern TypeSpec definitions
  5. Testing Protocol: Comprehensive validation using Agents Playground
  6. Performance Analysis: Identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities
  7. Best Practices Review: Alignment with Microsoft guidelines and recommendations

Core Features Across All Workflows

Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit Integration

  • VS Code Extension: Full integration with teamsdevapp.ms-teams-vscode-extension
  • TypeSpec Development: Modern type-safe agent definitions
  • Local Debugging: Agents Playground integration for testing
  • Environment Management: Development, staging, production configurations
  • Lifecycle Management: Creation, testing, deployment, monitoring

TypeSpec Examples

// Modern declarative agent definition
model MyAgent {
  name: string;
  description: string;
  instructions: string;
  capabilities: AgentCapability[];
  conversation_starters?: ConversationStarter[];
}

JSON Schema v1.5 Validation

  • Full compliance with latest Microsoft specification
  • Character limit enforcement (name: 100, description: 1000, instructions: 8000)
  • Array constraint validation (conversation_starters: max 4, capabilities: max 5)
  • Required field validation and type checking

Available Capabilities (Choose up to 5)

  1. WebSearch: Internet search functionality
  2. OneDriveAndSharePoint: File and content access
  3. GraphConnectors: Enterprise data integration
  4. MicrosoftGraph: Microsoft 365 service integration
  5. TeamsAndOutlook: Communication platform access
  6. PowerPlatform: Power Apps and Power Automate integration
  7. BusinessDataProcessing: Enterprise data analysis
  8. WordAndExcel: Document and spreadsheet manipulation
  9. CopilotForMicrosoft365: Advanced Copilot features
  10. EnterpriseApplications: Third-party system integration
  11. CustomConnectors: Custom API and service integration

Environment Variables Support

{
  "name": "${AGENT_NAME}",
  "description": "${AGENT_DESCRIPTION}",
  "instructions": "${AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS}"
}

Which workflow would you like to start with? Share your requirements and I'll provide specialized guidance for your Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agent development with full TypeSpec and Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit support.

FAQ

What are 'declarative agents'?

They are like small programs or assistants within Microsoft 365 Copilot that can perform specific tasks based on instructions you define.

What is TypeSpec?

It's a modern and safer way to write agent definitions, which are then transformed into the files needed for Copilot.

What tools can the agent use?

It can use various tools, such as internet search, access to files in OneDrive and SharePoint, integration with other Microsoft systems, and even third-party applications.

Details

Original description by the author

Complete development kit for Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents with three comprehensive workflows (basic, advanced, validation), TypeSpec support, and Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit integration

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5112
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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