Microsoft Copilot Studio¶

# Copilot Studio Components
Topics:           # Conversation flows (like intents)
  - Trigger phrases  # User inputs that start topic
  - Questions        # Collect information from user
  - Messages         # Responses to user
  - Conditions       # Branching logic
  - Actions          # Call APIs, Power Automate flows

Entities:         # Structured data extraction
  - Prebuilt       # Date, number, email, etc.
  - Custom         # Company-specific terms

Variables:        # Store conversation state
  - Topic scope    # Available in current topic
  - Global scope   # Available across all topics

Generative AI:    # GPT-4 powered responses
  - Boosted conversations  # LLM fallback
  - Generative answers     # Dynamic responses
  - Content moderation     # Safety filters

# PowerShell Management (for automation)
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.PowerApps.Administration.PowerShell

# Connect
Add-PowerAppsAccount

# List copilots
Get-AdminPowerAppChatBot

# Export copilot
Export-PowerAppChatBot -ChatBotName "My Copilot" -Path "./export.zip"

# Import copilot
Import-PowerAppChatBot -Path "./export.zip" -Environment "prod-env"  # (1)!

# Topic definition (HR Benefits copilot)
Topic: Check PTO Balance
Trigger phrases:
  - "How much PTO do I have?"
  - "Check my vacation days"
  - "Time off balance"

Flow:
  1. Message: "I'll check your PTO balance."

  2. Action: Call Power Automate flow  # (1)!
     - Input: User.Email (system variable)
     - Output: PTODays, PTOHours

  3. Condition: If PTODays > 10
     - Message: "You have {PTODays} days ({PTOHours} hours) of PTO available. Great! You have plenty saved up."
     Else:
     - Message: "You have {PTODays} days ({PTOHours} hours) of PTO available. Consider planning time off soon."

  4. Question: "Would you like to submit a time-off request?"
     - Yes: Redirect to "Submit PTO Request" topic
     - No: End conversation

# Generative AI configuration
Generative AI Settings:
  Boosted Conversations:
    - Enabled: true  # (1)!
    - Content sources:
        - SharePoint site: "https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/hr"
        - Website: "https://contoso.com/policies"
        - Upload documents: "employee-handbook.pdf"
    - Moderation: Medium  # (2)!

  Fallback Topic:
    - If no topic matches: Use generative answers
    - How do you want copilot to respond:
        "Be helpful, professional, and concise. Use information from provided sources. If unsure, say so."

// Custom Web Chat Embedding
<div id="webchat" role="main"></div>
<script src="https://cdn.botframework.com/botframework-webchat/latest/webchat.js"></script>
<script>
  const styleOptions = {
    botAvatarImage: '/bot-avatar.png',
    botAvatarInitials: 'CB',
    userAvatarImage: '/user-avatar.png',
    primaryFont: 'Segoe UI, sans-serif',
    bubbleBackground: '#0078d4',
    bubbleFromUserBackground: '#e5e5e5'
  };  // (1)!

  const directLine = window.WebChat.createDirectLine({
    token: 'YOUR_DIRECT_LINE_TOKEN'  // (2)!
  });

  window.WebChat.renderWebChat(
    {
      directLine: directLine,
      styleOptions: styleOptions
    },
    document.getElementById('webchat')
  );  // (3)!
</script>

// Custom connector for backend integration
// 1. Create OpenAPI/Swagger definition
// 2. Import to Copilot Studio as custom connector
// 3. Use in Power Automate flow

// Example: Custom API endpoint
[HttpPost]
[Route("api/employee/pto")]
public async Task<IActionResult> GetPTOBalance([FromBody] PTORequest request)
{
    var employee = await _hrService.GetEmployeeByEmail(request.Email);
    var ptoBalance = await _hrService.GetPTOBalance(employee.Id);

    return Ok(new {
        Days = ptoBalance.DaysRemaining,
        Hours = ptoBalance.HoursRemaining,
        AccrualRate = ptoBalance.MonthlyAccrual
    });  // (1)!
}

// Copilot Studio calls this via Power Automate custom connector

# Microsoft 365 Copilot Plugin (Declarative Agent)
# copilot-extensions.json
{
  "manifestVersion": "1.0",
  "id": "com.contoso.hr-copilot",
  "name": "HR Assistant",
  "description": "Check PTO, submit requests, view benefits",
  "instructions": "Help employees with HR-related questions. Be professional and accurate.",
  "capabilities": [
    {
      "name": "CheckPTO",
      "description": "Check employee PTO balance",
      "type": "action"  # (1)!
    }
  ],
  "dataSources": [
    {
      "type": "sharepoint",
      "siteUrl": "https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/hr"
    }
  ]
}