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Ways to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot

Start by deciding where people will use the experience:

  • Inside Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences. Build or configure supported agents, connectors, skills, and tools, and then follow the package, distribution, and governance guidance for the selected route.
  • In your apps and custom agents. Use APIs and SDKs to add Microsoft 365 work context and Copilot capabilities to experiences that you own and operate.

You can use both approaches in one solution. Choose the primary path based on the user experience, runtime, distribution model, and operating responsibilities.

Choose where the experience lives

Where people use the experience Start with Use it when
Inside Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences Plugins for Microsoft 365 Copilot You want to build or configure a plugin with supported agents, skills, connectors, or MCP-based tools
In your apps and custom agents Build Copilot-powered apps and agents You want to use Microsoft 365 work context or Copilot capabilities in an experience that you host and operate

Choose by what you want to create

If you want to Start with
Build a declarative agent that uses Copilot's orchestrator and models Declarative agents
Add reusable instructions or workflows to a declarative agent Skills as plugin capabilities
Ground Microsoft 365 Copilot in approved external organizational data Microsoft 365 Copilot connectors
Make remote MCP tools available through a supported route MCP servers and plugins
Maintain or evaluate a Teams message extension integration Message extensions
Build and distribute a plugin that brings supported capabilities together Plugins for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Build an application that uses Microsoft 365 work context Work IQ APIs
Add Copilot search, retrieval, chat, export, meeting, reporting, or administration capabilities to an application Microsoft 365 Copilot APIs
Build an agent with your own orchestration, models, hosting, or runtime Custom engine agents

For help comparing declarative and custom engine agents, see Compare declarative and custom engine agents.

Combine both paths

A solution can combine multiple paths. For example:

  • A declarative agent can call an external API or remote MCP server through a supported action.
  • An application can use a Copilot API while a separately packaged agent gives users a related experience inside Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • A custom engine agent can use Work IQ APIs and also follow the package or distribution requirements of its target channel.

Using an API doesn't by itself select a package or distribution route. Each part of a combined solution retains its own identity, authentication, deployment, distribution, and governance requirements.

Plan and continue