How do I install the Edit Agent skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add microsoft/edit-agent in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Edit Agent safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Edit Agent?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Edit Agent free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Edit Agent?

Microsoft (@microsoft) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Edit Agent by microsoft — Agent Skill

Name: Edit Agent
Author: Microsoft

File contents

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
If the user wants to change the AI model, run the schema lookup tool first:
```
node ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../scripts/schema-lookup.bundle.js models
```
Use the output to determine the correct modelNameHint and provider values. CRITICAL: Do NOT include kind in the model block — the agent-level schema uses CurrentModelsNoKind.
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.modelNameHint`	Model hint (run `models` command for convention)	`Sonnet46`, `GPT5Chat`
`aISettings.model.provider`	Model provider (required for non-OpenAI)	`Anthropic`

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

---name: edit-agentdescription: 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.---# Edit Agent Settings/InstructionsModify agent metadata (`agent.mcs.yml`) or configuration (`settings.mcs.yml`).## Instructions1. **Auto-discover the agent directory**: ``` Glob: **/agent.mcs.yml ``` NEVER hardcode an agent name. If multiple agents found, ask which one.2. **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`3. **If the user wants to change the AI model**, run the schema lookup tool first: ```bash node ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/../../scripts/schema-lookup.bundle.js models ``` Use the output to determine the correct `modelNameHint` and `provider` values. **CRITICAL:** Do NOT include `kind` in the model block — the agent-level schema uses `CurrentModelsNoKind`.4. **Read the current file** before making any changes.5. **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.modelNameHint` | Model hint (run `models` command for convention) | `Sonnet46`, `GPT5Chat` || `aISettings.model.provider` | Model provider (required for non-OpenAI) | `Anthropic` |## 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 InstructionsFor detailed guidance on writing knowledge-aware instructions, grounding directives, citation control, and scope enforcement, see [instructions-guide.md](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```yamlinstructions: | 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```

Frequently asked questions

Edit Agent