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declarative-agents — GitHub Copilot skill: install

Build and validate Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents with JSON Schema v1.5, TypeSpec, and Agents Playground support. Useful for prototypes and enterprise designs.

Install into GitHub Copilot · Skills CLI (Vercel) All methods and platforms ↓
npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill declarative-agents
Open on GitHub

What declarative-agents does

This skill covers three workflows for Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents: basic creation, advanced enterprise design, and validation of an existing agent. It helps plan the agent, select capabilities, create a compliant JSON manifest, write a TypeSpec alternative, and set up testing in Agents Playground.

It checks JSON Schema v1.5 requirements, required fields, types, character limits, and array constraints. TypeSpec definitions can compile to JSON, while Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit connects the work with VS Code, local debugging, and environment management. Available capabilities include WebSearch, OneDriveAndSharePoint, MicrosoftGraph, and others, with up to 5 capabilities per agent.

Install it when you are building or reviewing a Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agent. TypeSpec and Agents Toolkit work require the related development setup.

What it helps with

  • create a JSON manifest for a declarative agent
  • design an agent for an enterprise scenario
  • validate an agent against schema v1.5
  • migrate an existing JSON agent to TypeSpec
  • set up testing in Agents Playground

Example prompts for the agent

  • Create a basic Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agent with WebSearch and OneDriveAndSharePoint.
  • Validate this manifest against JSON Schema v1.5 and fix its field constraints.
  • Convert the existing JSON agent to TypeSpec and prepare it for testing in Agents Playground.

How to install declarative-agents

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

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

2GitHub CLI

gh skill install github/awesome-copilot declarative-agents

3Manually: put the files in place

.github/skills/declarative-agents/SKILL.md

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Questions about declarative-agents

How do I install declarative-agents in GitHub Copilot?

Run npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill declarative-agents. For GitHub Copilot, the skill file is available at .github/skills/declarative-agents/SKILL.md.

What does declarative-agents do?

It guides the creation of Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents, helps choose capabilities, generates JSON or TypeSpec definitions, and validates existing configurations.

What limits does declarative-agents check?

It checks name, description, and instructions limits, along with array constraints. The schema allows up to 4 conversation_starters and up to 5 capabilities.

Source text

SKILL.md · MIT
---
name: declarative-agents
description: 'Complete development kit for Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents with three comprehensive workflows (basic, advanced, validation), TypeSpec support, and Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit integration'
---

# 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
```typespec
// 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
```json
{
  "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.

© github · MIT · github/awesome-copilot

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