Course
digicode: MS401
Extend M365 Copilot w/ declarative agents using Visual Studio Code – Intensive Training («MS401»)
MS-4010
Course facts
- Evaluating the appropriateness of a declarative agent, describing its components, and explaining the purpose and benefits of TypeSpec in its creation
- Building a basic agent using TypeSpec, configuring its behavior with conversation starters and advanced capabilities (web content, data sources, code interpretation), and validating/deploying the fully functional agent
- Evaluating the use of API plugins to retrieve and modify external data, then designing and integrating an API plugin with both anonymous and secured APIs (using API keys and OAuth2)
- Creating and configuring an Adaptive Card template to correctly render data from an API, then running the declarative agent with the API plugin in Microsoft 365 Copilot to validate the results
- Describing the role and benefits of Copilot connectors, explaining external connections and schemas, and exploring methods for data retrieval, transformation, and access controls
- Scaffolding a new Copilot connector project, configuring it to pull and ingest data (e.g., GitHub issues) into Microsoft Graph, and extending the connector's schema
- Monitoring connector operations and managing connection states using the Microsoft 365 admin center, diagnosing common issues, managing access permissions, and optimizing connector performance
Participants start with an introduction to declarative agents, followed by practical labs that guide them through building their first agent, understanding API plugins, and implementing APIs. Advanced topics include creating adaptive cards, managing authentication for API plugins, and integrating Microsoft Graph connectors. By the end of the course, participants have a solid understanding of how to leverage declarative agents to enhance the functionality of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
1 Introduction to declarative agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Determine the scenarios which declarative agents are suitable for customizing and extending Microsoft 365 Copilot. Describe the function of custom knowledge and custom actions.
2 Build your first declarative agent using TypeSpec
This module guides you through the process of building, deploying, and optimizing a custom Microsoft 365 Copilot connector. You'll learn how to connect external data sources, implement security, and ensure your data is discoverable and actionable in Copilot.
3 Introduction to actions with API plugins for declarative agents
Determine the scenarios for which actions for declarative agents with API plugins are suitable. Describe the function of API plugins.
4 Build your first action for declarative agents with API plugin by using Visual Studio Code
Build a declarative agent for Microsoft 365 Copilot optimized for a specific scenario. Bring actions to your agent with API plugins to access external data in real-time.
5 Use Adaptive Cards to show data in API plugins for declarative agents
Learn how to enhance the user experience of declarative agents by using Adaptive Cards to render API data visually. Create and configure Adaptive Card templates, integrate them into API plugins, and test the setup in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Learn the practical steps for building and previewing Adaptive Cards in Visual Studio Code.
6 Authenticate your API plugin for declarative agents with secured APIs
When building apps for work, you typically integrate with secured APIs. Learn about the two common ways of how APIs are secured – API key and OAuth2, and how to integrate with them when building an API plugin for declarative agents that run in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
7 Introduction to Copilot connectors
This module introduces Copilot connectors, explains their architecture, and guides you through connecting external data sources securely to Microsoft 365 Copilot.
8 Build your first Microsoft 365 Copilot connector using Visual Studio Code
This hands-on module guides you through building a working Microsoft 365 Copilot connector that indexes GitHub issues into Microsoft 365. You'll use the Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit in VS Code to create, configure, and deploy a connector that makes external data queryable by Copilot.
9 Monitor and maintain Microsoft 365 Copilot connectors
This module teaches you how to manage Microsoft 365 Copilot connectors throughout their operational lifecycle. You'll learn to monitor connector health, troubleshoot issues, manage security permissions, and optimize performance.
This training course is targeted at developers who are interested in extending and customizing Microsoft Copliot for Microsoft 365.
- Microsoft 365 tenant with Copilot enabled and admin role/permissions to create Graph connectors
- Basic familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript and Visual Studio Code
- Administrative permissions in Microsoft 365
- Knowledge of building APIs using Azure Functions at the beginner level
- Basic understanding of OAuth and Microsoft Entra ID
- Visual Studio Code with the Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit extension installed
- Azure Functions Tools
- Node.js v20
- (Optional) Experience with Microsoft Graph or Azure app registrations