Build Agent Framework apps with a coding agent

Note

A Microsoft Agent Framework builder skill for .NET isn't available yet. Use the .NET get-started tutorial and .NET samples while the .NET builder-skill work is tracked.

The Microsoft Agent Framework builder skill for Python, agent-framework-builder-python, gives compatible coding agents Microsoft-maintained guidance for building Python Agent Framework solutions. It helps the coding agent choose an appropriate pattern and progressively load focused guidance for the task.

The skill can guide work with:

  • Plain agents, model providers, tools, approvals, sessions, history, and context providers.
  • Harness agents with planning, todos, memory, compaction, files, background agents, shell tools, and loops.
  • Functional and graph workflows, built-in orchestrations, and declarative definitions.
  • Evaluation, observability, middleware, custom clients, custom agents, and integrations.
  • Self-hosting and Microsoft Foundry hosted-agent development.

The skill is Python-only. It provides development guidance to an external coding agent; it isn't a Python package, isn't installed by pip install agent-framework, and doesn't run inside your Agent Framework application.

Important

This coding-agent skill is different from runtime Agent Skills. Runtime skills are loaded by an Agent Framework agent while your application runs. The builder skill helps a coding agent create or modify your application source code.

Tip

Pair the builder skill with the Microsoft Learn MCP Server. The skill gives the coding agent focused Agent Framework workflow and implementation guidance, while the Learn MCP Server lets it search current Microsoft documentation, fetch complete articles, and find code samples during the task. Configure this public, unauthenticated Streamable HTTP endpoint in a compatible coding agent:

https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp

Prerequisites

  • A coding agent that supports the open Agent Skills specification.
  • GitHub CLI with the preview gh skill commands, or Node.js 22.20 or later if you use the cross-agent skills CLI.
  • Python 3.11 or later for new Agent Framework applications. Agent Framework 1.23 still supports Python 3.10, but Python 3.10 reached upstream end of life.

GitHub CLI skill management is in preview and subject to change.

Review and install with GitHub CLI

Preview the released skill before installing it:

gh skill preview microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python@python-1.23.0

Install the latest tagged version:

gh skill install microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python

Pin the Python 1.23 release when you need reproducible guidance:

gh skill install microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python@python-1.23.0

The default installation is project-scoped and targets GitHub Copilot in non-interactive use. Select another supported coding agent or user scope when needed:

gh skill install microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python \
  --agent claude-code \
  --scope user

gh skill install microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python \
  --agent cursor

gh skill install microsoft/agent-framework agent-framework-builder-python \
  --agent codex

For current client and scope options, see gh skill install.

Install with the cross-agent skills CLI

As an alternative, install the skill with the cross-agent skills CLI:

npx skills add microsoft/agent-framework --skill agent-framework-builder-python

Review the CLI's supported coding agents and runtime requirements before installation.

Use the skill

Prompt the coding agent naturally. Compatible clients discover and activate the skill from its metadata; don't assume a universal slash command.

Example prompts:

  • Build a Python Agent Framework agent with Microsoft Foundry, function tools, sessions, and tests.
  • Add approval-required tools and persistent conversation history to this Agent Framework application.
  • Convert this multi-agent design into an Agent Framework workflow and add checkpointing.
  • Create a harness agent with planning, todos, file access, and safe shell tooling.
  • Review this Python Agent Framework application for current APIs and package requirements.
  • Prepare this Agent Framework agent for Foundry hosting and add an evaluation plan.

Include constraints such as the model provider, hosting target, persistence requirements, security boundary, and supported Python version when you know them.

What the coding agent should do

The skill instructs a coding agent to:

  • Choose the smallest suitable pattern, such as a plain agent, harness, workflow, orchestration, or declarative definition.
  • Load only the relevant focused references.
  • Prefer current Microsoft Learn guidance, public API references, package lifecycle information, and maintained samples for volatile details.
  • Install narrow package sets rather than assuming every integration is stable or required.
  • Preserve explicit session, approval, authentication, and hosting boundaries.
  • Validate the generated application with the repository's existing tests, type checks, and runnable samples.

The skill doesn't guarantee that generated code is production-ready. Review the coding agent's plan, package choices, security boundaries, commands, and generated changes before approval.

Versioning and trust

The skill is a public, installable, Microsoft-maintained consumer skill released in the python-1.23.0 repository tag. Its skill metadata version is 0.3.

  • Use the unqualified install command for the latest tagged release.
  • Pin @python-1.23.0 when reproducibility matters.
  • Use @main only when you intentionally want unreleased guidance.
  • Preview skill content before installation and review updates before trusting new scripts or instructions.

For the source and focused references, see:

Next steps

Create your first agent

Go deeper:

Note

A Microsoft Agent Framework builder skill for Go isn't available yet. Use the Go get-started tutorial and Agent Framework Go examples for current guidance.

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