.NET: Support Agent Skills (#4122)

* support agent skills

* make the new agent skill provider experimental

* Fix file encoding: add UTF-8 BOM to .cs files

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* Fix final newline and simplify new expressions

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* Fix broken links in Agent Skills sample README

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* Add null check for skillPaths parameter

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

* Normalize references

* normilize skill path

* address comments regarding symlink check

* address comments

* fix failing test + regex improvements

* small optimizations and improvments

* address pr review comments

* Update dotnet/src/Microsoft.Agents.AI/Skills/FileAgentSkillsProvider.cs

Co-authored-by: Roger Barreto <19890735+rogerbarreto@users.noreply.github.com>

* address pr review comments

* address pr review comments

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Roger Barreto <19890735+rogerbarreto@users.noreply.github.com>
This commit is contained in:
SergeyMenshykh
2026-02-20 21:05:56 +00:00
committed by GitHub
Unverified
parent 44aec2009f
commit 7ba636d642
18 changed files with 1776 additions and 1 deletions
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<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
<PropertyGroup>
<OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
<TargetFrameworks>net10.0</TargetFrameworks>
<Nullable>enable</Nullable>
<ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings>
<NoWarn>$(NoWarn);MAAI001</NoWarn>
</PropertyGroup>
<ItemGroup>
<PackageReference Include="Azure.AI.OpenAI" />
<PackageReference Include="Azure.Identity" />
</ItemGroup>
<ItemGroup>
<ProjectReference Include="..\..\..\..\src\Microsoft.Agents.AI.OpenAI\Microsoft.Agents.AI.OpenAI.csproj" />
</ItemGroup>
<!-- Copy skills directory to output -->
<ItemGroup>
<None Include="skills\**\*.*">
<CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
</None>
</ItemGroup>
</Project>
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// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
// This sample demonstrates how to use Agent Skills with a ChatClientAgent.
// Agent Skills are modular packages of instructions and resources that extend an agent's capabilities.
// Skills follow the progressive disclosure pattern: advertise -> load -> read resources.
//
// This sample includes the expense-report skill:
// - Policy-based expense filing with references and assets
using Azure.AI.OpenAI;
using Azure.Identity;
using Microsoft.Agents.AI;
using OpenAI.Responses;
// --- Configuration ---
string endpoint = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT")
?? throw new InvalidOperationException("AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT is not set.");
string deploymentName = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("AZURE_OPENAI_DEPLOYMENT_NAME") ?? "gpt-4o-mini";
// --- Skills Provider ---
// Discovers skills from the 'skills' directory and makes them available to the agent
var skillsProvider = new FileAgentSkillsProvider(skillPath: Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "skills"));
// --- Agent Setup ---
AIAgent agent = new AzureOpenAIClient(new Uri(endpoint), new DefaultAzureCredential())
.GetResponsesClient(deploymentName)
.AsAIAgent(new ChatClientAgentOptions
{
Name = "SkillsAgent",
ChatOptions = new()
{
Instructions = "You are a helpful assistant.",
},
AIContextProviders = [skillsProvider],
});
// --- Example 1: Expense policy question (loads FAQ resource) ---
Console.WriteLine("Example 1: Checking expense policy FAQ");
Console.WriteLine("---------------------------------------");
AgentResponse response1 = await agent.RunAsync("Are tips reimbursable? I left a 25% tip on a taxi ride and want to know if that's covered.");
Console.WriteLine($"Agent: {response1.Text}\n");
// --- Example 2: Filing an expense report (multi-turn with template asset) ---
Console.WriteLine("Example 2: Filing an expense report");
Console.WriteLine("---------------------------------------");
AgentSession session = await agent.CreateSessionAsync();
AgentResponse response2 = await agent.RunAsync("I had 3 client dinners and a $1,200 flight last week. Return a draft expense report and ask about any missing details.",
session);
Console.WriteLine($"Agent: {response2.Text}\n");
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# Agent Skills Sample
This sample demonstrates how to use **Agent Skills** with a `ChatClientAgent` in the Microsoft Agent Framework.
## What are Agent Skills?
Agent Skills are modular packages of instructions and resources that enable AI agents to perform specialized tasks. They follow the [Agent Skills specification](https://agentskills.io/) and implement the progressive disclosure pattern:
1. **Advertise**: Skills are advertised with name + description (~100 tokens per skill)
2. **Load**: Full instructions are loaded on-demand via `load_skill` tool
3. **Resources**: References and other files loaded via `read_skill_resource` tool
## Skills Included
### expense-report
Policy-based expense filing with spending limits, receipt requirements, and approval workflows.
- `references/POLICY_FAQ.md` — Detailed expense policy Q&A
- `assets/expense-report-template.md` — Submission template
## Project Structure
```
Agent_Step01_BasicSkills/
├── Program.cs
├── Agent_Step01_BasicSkills.csproj
└── skills/
└── expense-report/
├── SKILL.md
├── references/
│ └── POLICY_FAQ.md
└── assets/
└── expense-report-template.md
```
## Running the Sample
### Prerequisites
- .NET 10.0 SDK
- Azure OpenAI endpoint with a deployed model
### Setup
1. Set environment variables:
```bash
export AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT="https://your-endpoint.openai.azure.com/"
export AZURE_OPENAI_DEPLOYMENT_NAME="gpt-4o-mini"
```
2. Run the sample:
```bash
dotnet run
```
### Examples
The sample runs two examples:
1. **Expense policy FAQ** — Asks about tip reimbursement; the agent loads the expense-report skill and reads the FAQ resource
2. **Filing an expense report** — Multi-turn conversation to draft an expense report using the template asset
## Learn More
- [Agent Skills Specification](https://agentskills.io/)
- [Microsoft Agent Framework Documentation](../../../../../docs/)
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---
name: expense-report
description: File and validate employee expense reports according to Contoso company policy. Use when asked about expense submissions, reimbursement rules, receipt requirements, spending limits, or expense categories.
metadata:
author: contoso-finance
version: "2.1"
---
# Expense Report
## Categories and Limits
| Category | Limit | Receipt | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals — solo | $50/day | >$25 | No |
| Meals — team/client | $75/person | Always | Manager if >$200 total |
| Lodging | $250/night | Always | Manager if >3 nights |
| Ground transport | $100/day | >$15 | No |
| Airfare | Economy | Always | Manager; VP if >$1,500 |
| Conference/training | $2,000/event | Always | Manager + L&D |
| Office supplies | $100 | Yes | No |
| Software/subscriptions | $50/month | Yes | Manager if >$200/year |
## Filing Process
1. Collect receipts — must show vendor, date, amount, payment method.
2. Categorize per table above.
3. Use template: [assets/expense-report-template.md](assets/expense-report-template.md).
4. For client/team meals: list attendee names and business purpose.
5. Submit — auto-approved if <$500; manager if $500$2,000; VP if >$2,000.
6. Reimbursement: 10 business days via direct deposit.
## Policy Rules
- Submit within 30 days of transaction.
- Alcohol is never reimbursable.
- Foreign currency: convert to USD at transaction-date rate; note original currency and amount.
- Mixed personal/business travel: only business portion reimbursable; provide comparison quotes.
- Lost receipts (>$25): file Lost Receipt Affidavit from Finance. Max 2 per quarter.
- For policy questions not covered above, consult the FAQ: [references/POLICY_FAQ.md](references/POLICY_FAQ.md). Answers should be based on what this document and the FAQ state.
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# Expense Report Template
| Date | Category | Vendor | Description | Amount (USD) | Original Currency | Original Amount | Attendees | Business Purpose | Receipt Attached |
|------|----------|--------|-------------|--------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------|------------------|------------------|
| | | | | | | | | | Yes or No |
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# Expense Policy — Frequently Asked Questions
## Meals
**Q: Can I expense coffee or snacks during the workday?**
A: Daily coffee/snacks under $10 are not reimbursable (considered personal). Coffee purchased during a client meeting or team working session is reimbursable as a team meal.
**Q: What if a team dinner exceeds the per-person limit?**
A: The $75/person limit applies as a guideline. Overages up to 20% are accepted with a written justification (e.g., "client dinner at venue chosen by client"). Overages beyond 20% require pre-approval from your VP.
**Q: Do I need to list every attendee?**
A: Yes. For client meals, list the client's name and company. For team meals, list all employee names. For groups over 10, you may attach a separate attendee list.
## Travel
**Q: Can I book a premium economy or business class flight?**
A: Economy class is the standard. Premium economy is allowed for flights over 6 hours. Business class requires VP pre-approval and is generally reserved for flights over 10 hours or medical accommodation.
**Q: What about ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft) vs. rental cars?**
A: Use ride-sharing for trips under 30 miles round-trip. Rent a car for multi-day travel or when ride-sharing would exceed $100/day. Always choose the compact/standard category unless traveling with 3+ people.
**Q: Are tips reimbursable?**
A: Tips up to 20% are reimbursable for meals, taxi/ride-share, and hotel housekeeping. Tips above 20% require justification.
## Lodging
**Q: What if the $250/night limit isn't enough for the city I'm visiting?**
A: For high-cost cities (New York, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, Sydney), the limit is automatically increased to $350/night. No additional approval is needed. For other locations where rates are unusually high (e.g., during a major conference), request a per-trip exception from your manager before booking.
**Q: Can I stay with friends/family instead and get a per-diem?**
A: No. Contoso reimburses actual lodging costs only, not per-diems.
## Subscriptions and Software
**Q: Can I expense a personal productivity tool?**
A: Software must be directly related to your job function. Tools like IDE licenses, design software, or project management apps are reimbursable. General productivity apps (note-taking, personal calendar) are not, unless your manager confirms a business need in writing.
**Q: What about annual subscriptions?**
A: Annual subscriptions over $200 require manager approval before purchase. Submit the approval email with your expense report.
## Receipts and Documentation
**Q: My receipt is faded/damaged. What do I do?**
A: Try to obtain a duplicate from the vendor. If not possible, submit a Lost Receipt Affidavit (available from the Finance SharePoint site). You're limited to 2 affidavits per quarter.
**Q: Do I need a receipt for parking meters or tolls?**
A: For amounts under $15, no receipt is required — just note the date, location, and amount. For $15 and above, a receipt or bank/credit card statement excerpt is required.
## Approval and Reimbursement
**Q: My manager is on leave. Who approves my report?**
A: Expense reports can be approved by your skip-level manager or any manager designated as an alternate approver in the expense system.
**Q: Can I submit expenses from a previous quarter?**
A: The standard 30-day window applies. Expenses older than 30 days require a written explanation and VP approval. Expenses older than 90 days are not reimbursable except in extraordinary circumstances (extended leave, medical emergency) with CFO approval.
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# AgentSkills Samples
Samples demonstrating Agent Skills capabilities.
| Sample | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| [Agent_Step01_BasicSkills](Agent_Step01_BasicSkills/) | Using Agent Skills with a ChatClientAgent, including progressive disclosure and skill resources |
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|[Agent With Anthropic](./AgentWithAnthropic/README.md)|Getting started with agents using Anthropic Claude|
|[Workflow](./Workflows/README.md)|Getting started with Workflow|
|[Model Context Protocol](./ModelContextProtocol/README.md)|Getting started with Model Context Protocol|
|[Agent Skills](./AgentSkills/README.md)|Getting started with Agent Skills|