What are declarative agents?

  • 2 minutes

Let’s start with a few definitions and a quick tour of the core features of a declarative agent. This overview helps you see whether a declarative agent might be a good fit for your scenario.

What is an agent?

An agent is a conversational AI that can interact with users in a chat interface. Agents can answer questions, provide information, and perform tasks on behalf of the user. Agents can be used in various scenarios, such as customer support, IT helpdesk, and HR support.

What is a declarative agent?

Use declarative agents to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot. You define custom knowledge and custom actions to create agents tailored to a specific scenario.

Declarative agents use the same infrastructure, orchestrator, foundation model, and security controls as Microsoft 365 Copilot, which ensures a consistent and familiar user experience.

Diagram that shows the decision making process to understand whether a declarative agent is a good option.

You build declarative agents with low-code using:

  • Microsoft Copilot Studio
  • SharePoint Online
  • Microsoft Admin Center

Or with pro-code, by using Visual Studio Code.

Declarative agents are used by end-users in two ways:

  • In-context: @ mention the agent from Microsoft 365 Copilot business chat (BizChat).

    Screenshot of Microsoft Edge showing the agent flyout open in Microsoft 365 Copilot.

    Screenshot of Microsoft Edge showing a declarative agent in-context with BizChat.

  • Immersive: access declarative agents from BizChat, where they can have 1 to 1 conversation with the agent.

    Screenshot of Microsoft Edge showing IT support declarative agent in the immersive experience with custom conversation starters.