Tutorial · Copilot Studio · Intermediate

Give a Copilot Studio agent actions: agent flows and connector tools

Let your agent do things — look up records, create tickets, send Acrobat Sign reminders — using agent flows with clear inputs and outputs.

LevelIntermediate
Time45 minutes
TopicCopilot Studio

You'll need

  • An existing agent
  • Power Automate / agent flow permissions

Tools vs topics

With generative orchestration on, you add tools (agent flows, connector actions, prompts) with good descriptions and the agent decides when to call them. Topics are still useful for fixed, scripted conversations.

Create an agent flow

  1. In the agent → Tools → Add a tool → New agent flow.
  2. Trigger: When an agent calls the flow; define inputs (e.g. vendorName text).
  3. Add your actions (SharePoint lookup, Acrobat Sign status, etc.).
  4. End with Respond to the agent and define outputs (e.g. status, endDate).

Describe the tool well

Example tool description
Looks up a signed contract by vendor name and returns its end date, notice period in days, owner email and a link to the signed PDF. Use when the user asks about contract dates, renewals or termination notice.

Confirm before acting

For tools that change data or contact customers (send reminder, create ticket), require user confirmation in the tool settings or instructions.

Test and monitor

Use the activity map in the test pane to see which tool was chosen and with what inputs. Review analytics weekly after launch.

Tips

  • Keep agent flows fast (a few seconds). For long jobs, start the work and return a reference number.