Dellenny explains how to develop custom plugins and connectors in Copilot Studio, guiding developers through schema definition, integration best practices, and secure deployment of AI-driven copilots.

Creating Custom Plugins and Connectors in Copilot Studio

As businesses increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions, Copilot Studio has become essential for extending and customizing copilots. This guide details how to design and implement custom plugins and connectors, enabling deep integration with enterprise systems and workflows.

What Are Plugins and Connectors?

  • Plugins: Extend copilot abilities with custom actions or logic, such as querying internal systems or integrating with tools like Jira or Salesforce. For example, a plugin might fetch updates from a project management tool.
  • Connectors: Standardize copilot communication with external APIs, allowing interaction with services like databases, CRMs, ticketing platforms, or proprietary applications.

Together, plugins and connectors help copilots move beyond basic assistance to provide domain-specific automation and integration.

Why Create Custom Plugins and Connectors?

  1. Tailored Experiences: Adapt copilots to unique business workflows.
  2. Seamless Integration: Connect copilots with current technology stacks and data sources without major changes.
  3. Productivity Gains: Use automation to reduce repetitive tasks, letting copilots handle multi-platform queries.
  4. Scalability: Deploy custom plugins/connectors across many copilots, teams, or business units.

Steps to Build Custom Plugins

  1. Identify Use Case: Clearly define the plugin’s goal (e.g., “Fetch project updates from Jira”).

  2. Set Up Plugin Schema: Describe inputs, outputs, and actions. Example schema:

    {
  "name": "getProjectUpdates",
  "description": "Retrieve the latest updates from a project in Jira",
  "parameters": {
    "projectId": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The ID of the project"
    }
  }
}
  3. Implement Logic: Write the operational code (Node.js, Python, etc.) that executes the defined action.
  4. Deploy and Test: Upload the plugin to Copilot Studio, test with real data, and refine based on feedback.

Steps to Build Custom Connectors

  1. Define API Specifications: Use OpenAPI or custom formats to describe endpoints and operations.
  2. Configure Authentication: Set up OAuth, API keys, or alternative authentication as required.
  3. Build the Connector: Register the API schema in Copilot Studio, mapping actions appropriately.
  4. Validate and Deploy: Test connectivity, validate data flow, and launch the connector for production use.

Best Practices

  • Start Simple: Prioritize small, impactful use cases before scaling.
  • Security First: Ensure robust authentication and authorization.
  • Thorough Testing: Simulate real-world scenarios to catch edge cases.
  • Reusable Documentation: Provide clear, reusable schemas and integration patterns for teams.

By thoughtfully integrating custom plugins and connectors, organizations can unlock advanced AI capabilities in Copilot Studio—enabling copilots that not only understand context but can also act on it, thereby driving efficiency and innovation.

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