Debugging Copilot Plugins

Question

I've been trying to test out Copilot Plugin integration with Teams Search Command Message Extensions based on this tutorial https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/platform/sbs-messagingextension-searchcommand-plugin?tutorial-step=2

I can deploy the message extension and it functions correctly when used in chats. However it doesn't show up when searching in the search bar nor does Copilot seem to be able to use it (even though I have enabeld the plugin the copilot chat).

Do I have to do something special to enable the use of the plugin in copilot? and is there a way that I can guarantee it's being called from there ?

Answer 1

Hi,

I have somewhat the same problem. In my case, the plugin shows up in the copilot pane but when prompted, it doesn't make use of the plugin. I have tested maybe around tens of hundreds of prompts but to no avail. Seems like a bug on Microsoft's end.

Answer 2

Hello Nicholas,

Thank you for the response.

I would like to answer your question further, but it seems to be beyond my expertise. It's more complex than what we usually discuss here in the community. To help you get the accurate information you need, go to the site and ask questions to the experts dedicated to Microsoft Questions - Microsoft Q&A Microsoft Center Community. They are experts in these kinds of concerns.

We'll leave this thread open for our MVPs or other subject matter expert members to share their answers.

Regards,

Prince R

Microsoft Moderator

Answer 3

Thanks for your reply
The code in question is the example code which is automatically set up when instantiating a new message extension -> bot from the teams toolkit in VSCode.
There seem to be no copilot plugin restrictions from the admin pannel.

I'm not sure what you mean by Copilot's standards however.

Answer 4

Hello Nicholas,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

To address the issue of the Copilot Plugin not appearing in the search bar or being usable by Copilot in Microsoft Teams, let's go through a systematic approach. Firstly, ensure that the search command has been added to your app manifest correctly as this is crucial for the functionality in the search bar. The search command can be invoked from the compose message area or the command box, and if you're using the classic Teams, it's invoked by @mentioning in the command box.

If the app manifest is configured correctly, the next step is to verify that the Copilot Plugin is enabled in the Teams admin center. This involves checking the 'Manage Apps' section to ensure the plugin is not blocked and is allowed for the relevant users. Additionally, confirm that the plugin meets the quality standards required for Copilot to use it as a search-based message extension.

Another important aspect is to check if the Teams Toolkit and Developer Portal for Teams are up to date, as these tools are essential for creating and deploying message extensions. If you're still facing issues, it might be helpful to consult the Microsoft Teams community forums or support channels, where similar cases may have been discussed and resolved.

Lastly, it's worth noting that Copilot features in Teams meetings, such as summarizing key discussion points, are dependent on the meeting being transcribed or the meeting organizer enabling Copilot without transcription. This may not directly relate to your current issue but is an important consideration for Copilot functionality within Teams meetings.

In summary, check the app manifest, ensure the plugin is enabled and not blocked in the Teams admin center, verify that the plugin meets Copilot's standards, and keep your development tools up to date. If the problem persists, seek assistance from the Microsoft Live support (Contact Us - Microsoft Support). For a more detailed guide on creating search message extensions, refer to the official documentation. If you require further assistance, please provide additional details such as error messages or logs for a more in-depth analysis.

Regards,

Prince R
Microsoft Moderator