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Declarative Agents

GitHubOfficialOriginally contributed by @troystaylor as prompts/declarative-agents.prompt.md; moved into a skill by pull request #761Distributed by GitHub

  • Skill
  • Workflow
  • Software development
  • MIT
  • No issues found

From 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
— the description by troystaylor

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

This skill provides a structured development environment for creating Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents. It offers three distinct workflows covering initial creation, advanced design, and validation of existing agents. The kit supports the v1.5 schema, TypeSpec definitions, and integration with the Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit to assist developers throughout the agent lifecycle.

What it does

  • Guides users through planning and defining agent capabilities.
  • Supports the creation of agent manifests using JSON or TypeSpec.
  • Provides validation against v1.5 schema requirements and character limits.
  • Assists with configuring capabilities such as WebSearch, MicrosoftGraph, and PowerPlatform.
  • Facilitates testing and debugging via the Agents Playground.
  • Supports environment and lifecycle management for agent development.

When to use it

  • When starting a new Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agent project.
  • When you need to define agent capabilities and instructions using TypeSpec.
  • When you need to validate an existing agent manifest against current schema specifications.
  • When you are configuring agent deployment environments or lifecycle settings.

Advantages

  • Streamlines the creation of compliant agent manifests.
  • Offers specialized workflows for different development stages.
  • Ensures adherence to Microsoft 365 schema constraints.
  • Integrates with standard development tools for local debugging.

Usage examples

“I want to create a new declarative agent for searching OneDrive files. Which workflow should I use?”
The agent will recommend the Basic Agent Creation workflow and guide you through selecting the OneDriveAndSharePoint capability and defining your manifest.
“Can you validate my existing agent manifest for schema compliance?”
The agent will perform a Validation & Optimization check, verifying your JSON against v1.5 specifications and checking character limits.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/github/declarative-agents/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip declarative-agents.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by troystaylor

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.

Files

Requirements and compatibility

Written for: GitHub Copilot, Claude Code

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Needs: Names Claude Code tools

Security

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Originally contributed by
GitHub avatar of troystaylor@troystayloras prompts/declarative-agents.prompt.mdmoved into a skill by pull request #761
Publisher
GitHub (Official)
Distributed by
GitHub
Source
github/awesome-copilot · skills/declarative-agents · commit 797337f
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced
Contributors
troystaylor

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by troystaylor or GitHub.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download declarative-agents.zip