| name | edit-agent |
| user-invocable | false |
| description | Edit Copilot Studio agent settings, instructions, or configuration. Use when the user asks to change agent instructions, display name, conversation starters, AI settings, or generative actions toggle. |
| argument-hint | <what to change> |
Edit Agent Settings/Instructions
Modify agent metadata (agent.mcs.yml) or configuration (settings.mcs.yml).
Instructions
-
Auto-discover the agent directory:
Glob: **/agent.mcs.yml
NEVER hardcode an agent name. If multiple agents found, ask which one.
-
Identify what the user wants to change and read the appropriate file:
- Instructions, display name, conversation starters, AI settings →
agent.mcs.yml
- GenerativeActionsEnabled, authentication, recognizer, capabilities →
settings.mcs.yml
-
Read the current file before making any changes.
-
Make the requested changes using the Edit tool.
Editable Fields in agent.mcs.yml
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|
displayName | Agent's display name | displayName: My Agent |
instructions | System prompt / personality | Multi-line YAML with | |
conversationStarters | Suggested conversation starters | Array of {title, text} |
aISettings.model.kind | Model selection | CurrentModels |
aISettings.model.modelNameHint | Model hint | GPT5Chat |
Editable Fields in settings.mcs.yml
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|
GenerativeActionsEnabled | Enable generative orchestration | true / false |
authenticationMode | Auth mode | Integrated, None |
authenticationTrigger | When to auth | Always, AsNeeded |
accessControlPolicy | Access control | ChatbotReaders |
configuration.aISettings.* | AI capabilities | Various booleans |
configuration.settings.*.content.capabilities.webBrowsing | Web browsing | true / false |
Writing Effective Instructions
For detailed guidance on writing knowledge-aware instructions, grounding directives, citation control, and scope enforcement, see instructions-guide.md.
Fields to NEVER Modify
schemaName — This is the internal Power Platform identifier. Changing it breaks the agent.
publishedOn — Managed by the platform.
template — Managed by the platform.
language — Changing this can corrupt the agent.
If the user asks to change any of these, warn them.
Example: Update Instructions
instructions: |
You are a customer support agent for Contoso Ltd.
Guidelines:
- Be professional and empathetic
- Always verify the customer's identity first
- Escalate billing issues to a human agent