m365-agent-scaffolder

What this skill does

# M365 Agent Scaffolder

## ⛔ STOP - READ THIS FIRST ⛔

### THE ONLY VALID COMMAND

Copy this command EXACTLY. Replace `<project-name>` with the user's project name:

```bash
npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest atk new -n <project-name> -c declarative-agent -with-plugin type-spec -i false
```

### FORBIDDEN COMMANDS - THESE DO NOT EXIST

| ❌ INVALID COMMAND | WHY IT FAILS |
|-------------------|--------------|
| `atk init` | DOES NOT EXIST - there is no init command |
| `atk init --template` | DOES NOT EXIST - there is no init command or --template flag |
| `atk create` | DOES NOT EXIST - there is no create command |
| `atk scaffold` | DOES NOT EXIST - there is no scaffold command |
| `--template anything` | DOES NOT EXIST - there is no --template flag |
| `--template declarative-copilot` | DOES NOT EXIST - this is completely made up |
| `--template m365-agent` | DOES NOT EXIST - this is completely made up |
| Any command without `npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest` prefix | WILL FAIL - atk might not be installed globally |

### CORRECT vs WRONG

✅ **CORRECT:**
```bash
npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest atk new -n my-agent -c declarative-agent -with-plugin type-spec -i false
```

❌ **WRONG (DO NOT USE):**
```bash
atk init my-agent --template declarative-copilot
```

❌ **WRONG (DO NOT USE):**
```bash
atk init my-agent --template m365-agent
```

❌ **WRONG (DO NOT USE):**
```bash
atk create my-agent
```

---

## Quick Summary

This skill does ONE thing: creates new M365 Copilot agent project structures. It:
1. Collects minimal required information
2. Scaffolds the project using ATK CLI
3. Automatically continues to m365-agent-developer skill for implementation

All architecture, planning, implementation, and deployment is handled by the m365-agent-developer skill.

---

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill ONLY when:
- Creating a brand new empty M365 Copilot agent project from scratch
- The user explicitly asks to create a new M365 Copilot project, agent or workspace
- Starting a new M365 Copilot agent development initiative that needs initial project structure

Do NOT use this skill when:
- Working with existing projects (use m365-agent-developer)
- Implementing features or capabilities (use m365-agent-developer)
- Deploying or managing agents (use m365-agent-developer)
- Troubleshooting issues (use m365-agent-developer)
- Designing architecture or planning (use m365-agent-developer)

## Instructions

Follow these exact steps when creating a new M365 Copilot agent project:

### Step 1: Understand the Request

**Action:** Verify the user wants to create a NEW M365 Copilot agent project.

**Check for:**
- Keywords: "new project", "create agent", "scaffold", "start from scratch", "M365 Copilot", "M365 agent", "declarative agent"
- Confirmation this is NOT an existing project

**If existing project:** Stop and recommend using m365-agent-developer skill.

### Step 2: Verify Empty Directory and Collect Project Name

**Action:** First, check if the current directory is empty. Then ask for the project name.

**Directory Check (CRITICAL):**
- Use `ls -A` to check if current directory is empty
- **Ignore hidden folders** (folders starting with `.`) when evaluating if directory is empty:
  - Hidden folders like `.claude`, `.copilot`, `.github` are configuration/metadata folders
  - These folders are used to steer coding agents and should not prevent scaffolding
  - If ONLY hidden folders exist, treat the directory as empty
- If directory is NOT empty (has non-hidden files/folders), ERROR OUT with message:
  ```
  ❌ Error: Current directory is not empty!

  This skill requires an empty directory to scaffold a new M365 Copilot agent project.
  Please navigate to an empty directory or create a new one first.
  ```
- Do NOT proceed if directory has non-hidden content

**If directory is empty, collect:**

1. **Project name** (required)
   - What should the M365 Copilot agent project be named?
   - Must be valid for directory names (no spaces, special characters)
   - Example: "customer-support-agent", "sales-assistant"

**Example question:**
```
What would you like to name your M365 Copilot agent project?
```

### Step 3: Run ATK CLI Command and Move Files to Current Directory

**Action:** Execute the scaffolding command, then move files from the ATK-created subfolder to the current directory.

## ⛔ COMMAND REMINDER - COPY EXACTLY ⛔

**Commands to execute sequentially:**

1. **Create the project (COPY THIS EXACT COMMAND):**

```bash
npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest atk new -n <project-name> -c declarative-agent -with-plugin type-spec -i false
```

**BEFORE YOU RUN ANY COMMAND, VERIFY:**
- ✅ Command starts with `npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest`
- ✅ Command uses `atk new` (NOT `atk init`, NOT `atk create`)
- ✅ Command has `-c declarative-agent` (NOT `--template`)
- ✅ Command has `-with-plugin type-spec`
- ✅ Command has `-i false`

**IF YOUR COMMAND LOOKS LIKE ANY OF THESE, STOP - IT IS WRONG:**
- ❌ `atk init ...` → WRONG, use `atk new`
- ❌ `--template ...` → WRONG, use `-c declarative-agent`
- ❌ Missing `npx -p @microsoft/m365agentstoolkit-cli@latest` → WRONG

**Parameters:**
- `-n <project-name>`: The project name provided by the user (ONLY parameter to customize)
- `-c declarative-agent`: Create a declarative agent (REQUIRED - do not change)
- `-with-plugin type-spec`: Include TypeSpec plugin scaffolding (REQUIRED - do not change)
- `-i false`: Non-interactive mode (REQUIRED - do not change)

**Note:** ATK will create a subfolder named `<project-name>` with all project files.

2. **Move all files from the subfolder to current directory:**
```bash
mv <project-name>/* <project-name>/.* . 2>/dev/null || true
```

3. **Delete the now-empty subfolder:**
```bash
rmdir <project-name>
```

**Why this is important:**
- ATK always creates a subfolder, but we want files in the current directory
- Moving files ensures the developer's intended directory structure
- Deleting the empty subfolder keeps the workspace clean

### Step 4: Confirm Creation and Continue to m365-agent-developer Skill

**Action:** Provide a simple confirmation message and automatically continue to m365-agent-developer skill.

**Message template:**
```
✅ Project created in current directory: <absolute-current-directory-path>

Your empty M365 Copilot agent project structure is ready.

🎯 Continuing with the m365-agent-developer skill to help you design and implement your agent...
```

**Then immediately invoke m365-agent-developer skill:**
- Use the Skill tool to invoke "m365-agent-developer"
- Do NOT stop or wait for user confirmation
- The flow should be seamless and automatic

---

## Examples

For detailed examples of how to use this skill, see the [Examples Reference](references/examples.md).

## Best Practices

For detailed best practices when scaffolding M365 Copilot agent projects, see the [Best Practices Reference](references/best-practices.md).