Add knowledge sources to an agent

In the new agent experience, knowledge sources define what your agent can access and reference when responding to users. Add and manage knowledge from the Build tab.

Note

Features in this article are used by agents or workflows powered by the GitHub Copilot harness.

Usage-based billing applies to using, building, testing, and evaluating agents. These actions might consume Copilot Credits. Learn more in Manage costs for agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness.

About knowledge in agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness

Agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness support the same categories of knowledge sources as the standard harness, including websites, SharePoint, and uploaded files. In agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness, access knowledge configuration from the Knowledge tab.

However, agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness use knowledge sources differently than the standard harness:

  • No general knowledge setting: Agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness don't have a general knowledge on/off setting. Manage knowledge access through the specific sources you add.
  • File uploads are always available: The Add knowledge dialog includes a drag-and-drop upload area for adding files directly.

Add knowledge sources

  1. Open your agent in Copilot Studio.

  2. In the agent navigation bar, select the Build tab.

  3. In the components panel on the right, select the Knowledge button.

  4. Use the Add knowledge dialog to add a source. You can:

    • Drag and drop files or select the upload area to upload documents directly.
    • Search for a knowledge source by using the search box.
    • Select a source type such as Public websites, SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, Salesforce, ServiceNow, or Azure SQL (Featured), or switch to the Advanced tab for more types such as Azure DevOps Wiki, Azure DevOps Work Items, Custom Connector, or Enterprise websites.

  5. Follow the configuration steps for the selected knowledge source type.

  6. Select Save or Add to confirm the knowledge source.

Suggested knowledge sources

When you open the Add knowledge dialog, the wizard suggests knowledge sources so you don't start with an empty picker. You see suggestions alongside the source types you can browse and search for.

Treat suggestions as starting points, not decisions. Review each suggested source before you add it:

  • Confirm the source contains the content your agent should reference.
  • Update the source name and description after you add it, so the agent can tell when to use it.
  • Test the agent in the Preview tab to confirm it uses the source the way you expect.

The specific suggestions depend on what's available in your environment, so the sources that appear can differ between agents and environments.

Suggested sources from your organization's connectors

When your environment has the required connectors installed and consented to, the Add knowledge dialog can also suggest knowledge sources from those connectors. For example, if a connector for Azure DevOps, Salesforce, or another external service is available in your environment, a matching knowledge source might appear as a suggestion.

Because these suggestions depend on your environment's connector readiness, they don't appear for every agent:

  • Suggestions appear only for connectors that are installed and consented to in your environment.
  • If an expected connector-based suggestion doesn't appear, contact your administrator to confirm the connector is available.
  • After you add a suggested source, review its name and description and test the agent in the Preview tab.

Limitations

Some knowledge source configuration options available in the standard harness might have a different interface or different default behavior in agents powered by the GitHub Copilot harness. Compare behavior by testing in the Preview tab.

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