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fix(docs): Rewrite Copilot Studio doc for v14 partner-center publish #2138

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fix(docs): fix Copilot Studio doc metadata and model guidance
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fix(docs): rewrite Copilot Studio doc to offload generic procedures
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164 changes: 71 additions & 93 deletions docs-mslearn/toolkit/hubs/configure-ai-copilot-studio.md
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---
title: Configure a FinOps hub agent in Microsoft Copilot Studio
description: Learn how to create a FinOps hub AI agent in Microsoft Copilot Studio with the Kusto Query MCP Server.
author: rkrummenacher
ms.author: rkrummenacher
ms.date: 04/02/2026
author: RolandKrummenacher
ms.author: brettwil
ms.date: 05/11/2026
ms.topic: how-to
ms.service: finops
ms.subservice: finops-toolkit
ms.reviewer: micflan
ms.reviewer: brettwil
# customer intent: As a FinOps hub admin, I want to create a Copilot Studio agent that can query my FinOps hub data so that my team can ask cost questions in natural language.
---

# Configure a FinOps hub agent in Microsoft Copilot Studio

[Microsoft Copilot Studio](https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com) enables you to create AI agents that integrate with Microsoft 365 Copilot. This article describes how to create a FinOps hub agent in Copilot Studio that connects to your FinOps hub database via the Kusto Query MCP Server and answers cost questions by executing KQL queries.
This article describes how to configure a [Microsoft Copilot Studio](https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com) agent that connects to your FinOps hub Data Explorer database and answers cost questions by executing KQL queries. The agent uses the Kusto Query MCP Server to run queries and knowledge files from the FinOps toolkit to construct accurate KQL.

<br>

## Prerequisites

- [Deployed a FinOps hub instance](finops-hubs-overview.md#create-a-new-hub) with Data Explorer running **FinOps hubs v12 or later**. The agent instructions use the `Costs_v1_2()` function, which is not available in earlier versions. [Learn how to upgrade](upgrade.md).
- [Configured scopes](configure-scopes.md) and ingested data successfully.
Before you start, make sure you have the following:

- A [FinOps hub instance](finops-hubs-overview.md#create-a-new-hub) with Data Explorer running **FinOps hubs v12 or later**. The agent instructions use the `Costs_v1_2()` function, which isn't available in earlier versions. [Learn how to upgrade](upgrade.md).
- [Configured scopes](configure-scopes.md) with data ingested successfully.
- Database viewer or greater access to the Data Explorer **Hub** database. [Learn more](/kusto/management/manage-database-security-roles#database-level-security-roles).
- Access to [Microsoft Copilot Studio](https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com).
- A [Microsoft Copilot Studio license](/microsoft-copilot-studio/billing-licensing) or Microsoft 365 Copilot user license.
- A Copilot Studio license or Microsoft 365 Copilot user license. For licensing details, see [Copilot Studio licensing](/microsoft-copilot-studio/billing-licensing).

If you're new to Copilot Studio, see [Quickstart: Create and deploy an agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started) to learn the basics of agent creation before continuing.

<br>

## Create the agent
## Create and configure the agent

1. Open [Microsoft Copilot Studio](https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com).
2. Select **Agents** in the left navigation, then select **+ Create blank agent**. Wait for the agent to be provisioned.
3. On the **Overview** page, in the **Details** section, select **Edit**. Set the name to **FinOps Hub Agent** (or your preferred name) and set the description:
[Create a blank agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started) in Copilot Studio, then configure it with the following FinOps hub settings.

> FinOps Hub Agent provides governed, real time insights from your FinOps Toolkit Hub database. It translates natural language questions into validated KQL queries and delivers structured analysis on cloud spend, commitments, savings plans, anomalies, and optimization opportunities.
### Agent details

4. Under **Select your agent's model**, select **Claude Opus 4.6** or later.
Set the agent name to **FinOps Hub Agent** (or your preferred name) and use the following description:

> [!NOTE]
> The agent instructions have been tested and validated with **Claude Opus 4.6**. Other models may produce lower-quality results, especially for complex KQL generation and structured report formatting.
> FinOps Hub Agent provides governed, real-time insights from your FinOps Toolkit Hub database. It translates natural language questions into validated KQL queries and delivers structured analysis on cloud spend, commitments, savings plans, anomalies, and optimization opportunities.

### Model selection

The agent instructions require a model with deep reasoning capabilities for multistep KQL generation and structured report formatting. General-category models might produce lower-quality results for complex queries.

For available models, regional availability, and data residency considerations, see [Select a primary AI model for your agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-agent-model). If you want to use an external model, your tenant administrator must enable it first; see [Choose an external model](/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-external-response-model).

5. Download the [Copilot Studio instructions for FinOps hubs](https://github.com/microsoft/finops-toolkit/releases/latest/download/finops-hub-copilot-studio.zip) and extract the contents.
6. Open the `agent-instructions.md` file and update the **Environment** section with your cluster URI:
### Agent instructions

1. Download the [Copilot Studio instructions for FinOps hubs](https://github.com/microsoft/finops-toolkit/releases/latest/download/finops-hub-copilot-studio.zip) and extract the contents.
2. Open `agent-instructions.md` and update the **Environment** section with your cluster URI:

```text
Cluster URI: <your-cluster>.kusto.windows.net
Database: Hub
```

> [!NOTE]
> Do not include `https://` in the cluster URI. Copilot Studio strips HTTP links from the Instructions field.
> Don't include `https://` in the cluster URI. Copilot Studio removes HTTP links from the Instructions field.

7. In the **Instructions** section, select **Edit**, paste the full content of `agent-instructions.md`, and select **Save**.
3. Paste the full content of `agent-instructions.md` into the agent's **Instructions** field and save.

<br>

## Add tools

The agent requires the Kusto Query MCP Server to execute KQL queries against your FinOps hub database. You can optionally add the Microsoft Learn Docs MCP to look up FinOps concepts and Azure documentation.
The agent needs the following MCP tools to function. For general steps on adding MCP tools to an agent, see [Add tools from an MCP server](/microsoft-copilot-studio/copilot-ai-plugins).

### Add the Kusto Query MCP Server
### Kusto Query MCP Server (required)

1. In your agent, select the **Tools** tab.
2. Select **+ Add a tool**.
3. In the **Add tool** dialog, search for **Kusto Query MCP Server**.
4. Select the **Model Context Protocol** filter to narrow the results.
5. Select **Kusto Query MCP Server** (by Azure Data Explorer).
6. Expand **Additional details** and configure the following settings:
- **Ask the end user before running**: No
- **Credentials to use**: End user credentials
7. Ensure the **Enabled** toggle in the top right is on, then select **Save**.
Add **Kusto Query MCP Server** (by Azure Data Explorer) with these settings:

### Add Microsoft Learn Docs MCP (optional)
- **Ask the end user before running**: No
- **Credentials to use**: End user credentials

1. Select **+ Add a tool**.
2. Search for **Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server** and select the **Model Context Protocol** filter.
3. Select **Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server** (by Microsoft Learn Docs MCP) and enable it.
This tool lets the agent execute KQL queries against your hub's Data Explorer database. The agent uses end-user credentials so query results respect each user's database permissions.

This tool allows the agent to look up FinOps concepts, FOCUS specification details, and Azure service documentation when answering questions.
### Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server (optional)

### Verify connections
Add **Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server** (by Microsoft Learn Docs MCP) to let the agent look up FinOps concepts, FOCUS specification details, and Azure service documentation when answering questions.

1. Select **Settings** in the top right corner of the agent.
2. Select **Connection Settings** in the left navigation.
3. Verify that both **Azure Data Explorer** and **Microsoft Learn Docs MCP** (if added) show a **Connected** status. If a connection shows as **Not Connected**, select **Manage** to authenticate.
After adding tools, verify that each shows a **Connected** status in your agent's connection settings. If a connection shows as **Not Connected**, select **Manage** to authenticate.

<br>

## Add knowledge files

Knowledge files give the agent reference information for constructing accurate KQL queries. The agent instructions are designed to use these files as query-building references, not as data sources.
The agent instructions reference knowledge files for constructing accurate KQL queries. These files are query-building references, not data sources. For general steps on adding knowledge to an agent, see [Add knowledge sources](/microsoft-copilot-studio/knowledge-add-existing-copilot).

1. In your agent, select the **Knowledge** tab.
2. Select **+ Add knowledge**.
3. In the **Add knowledge** dialog, drag and drop or browse to upload each file from the extracted `knowledge/` folder:
Upload each file from the extracted `knowledge/` folder and set the **Description** field for each file as shown:

| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `schema-reference.md` | Column reference for building KQL queries against Costs_v1_2(). Contains all column names, data types, usage notes, and edge cases like blank meter categories and BilledCost vs EffectiveCost divergence. Use to look up correct column names before writing queries. |
| `query-catalog.md` | Ready-to-use KQL query templates for FinOps analysis. Covers cost breakdowns by subscription/service/region, monthly trends, anomaly detection, forecasting, savings summary, commitment utilization, and reservation recommendations. Adapt these patterns to answer cost questions. |
| `weekly-report-guide.md` | Step-by-step workflow for producing structured weekly cost anomaly reports. Contains 7 KQL queries (totals, category summary, resource increases/decreases, commitment coverage drops, marketplace), post-processing rules for grouping and severity classification, and the final report structure. |
| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `schema-reference.md` | Column reference for `Costs_v1_2()` including names, data types, usage notes, and edge cases. Use to look up correct column names before writing queries. |
| `query-catalog.md` | Ready-to-use KQL query templates for cost breakdowns, monthly trends, anomaly detection, forecasting, savings summary, and commitment utilization. |
| `weekly-report-guide.md` | Step-by-step workflow for producing structured weekly cost anomaly reports with seven KQL queries, post-processing rules, and the final report structure. |

4. For each file, select it to open the details and enter the description from the table above in the **Description** field. These descriptions help the agent decide when to retrieve each file.
5. Wait for all files to show a **Ready** status on the Knowledge tab. Processing may take a few minutes.
The descriptions help the agent decide when to retrieve each file. Wait for all files to show a **Ready** status before testing.

<br>

## Test your agent

After configuration, test your agent in the **Test** panel:
Test the agent in the **Test** panel to verify it connects to your hub data correctly. The agent should detect your billing currency and ask you to select an analysis scope. Try these sample prompts:

1. Start a new test session.
2. The agent should automatically detect your billing currency and ask you to select an analysis scope.
3. Try these sample prompts:
```text
What are my top 5 subscriptions by cost?
```

```text
What are my top 5 subscriptions by cost?
```
```text
Create a week over week summary
```

```text
Create a week over week summary
```
```text
Are there any unusual spikes in cost over the last 3 months?
```

```text
Are there any unusual spikes in cost over the last 3 months?
```
```text
What was my savings rate last month?
```

```text
What was my savings rate last month?
```
Verify that the agent:

4. Verify that the agent:
- Executes KQL queries (not just quoting from knowledge files).
- Presents results as formatted tables.
- Shows the KQL query in a separate code block. Review the query to verify correct filters, time ranges, and aggregation logic.
- Includes confidence level, time range, and scope.
- Executes KQL queries against your hub database, not just quoting from knowledge files.
- Presents results as formatted tables.
- Shows the KQL query in a separate code block. Review the query to verify correct filters, time ranges, and aggregation logic.
- Includes confidence level, time range, and scope in the response.

<br>

## Publish your agent

Once testing is complete, publish your agent to make it available to your team:

1. Select **Publish** in the top right corner.
2. Choose your preferred channel (Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, or other supported channels).

For details about publishing and channel configuration, see [Publish your agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/publication-fundamentals-publish-channels).

<br>

## Pricing and licensing

There are two licensing paths for using Copilot Studio agents:

- **Microsoft 365 Copilot users** — Interactive, employee-facing usage of Copilot Studio agents is included at no extra charge, subject to fair usage limits. If your team already has Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses, you can get started without additional purchases. Note that scheduled actions and agent flows are not included and consume Copilot Credits separately.
- **Standalone Copilot Studio license** — Uses a consumption-based billing model measured in Copilot Credits. For details on credit rates and capacity options, see [Copilot Studio billing rates and management](/microsoft-copilot-studio/requirements-messages-management#copilot-credits-billing-rates).

For full licensing details, see [Copilot Studio licensing](/microsoft-copilot-studio/billing-licensing).
After testing, publish your agent and configure channels to make it available to your team. For details, see [Publish your agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/publication-fundamentals-publish-channels).

<br>

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -186,9 +161,12 @@ Related FinOps hubs articles:
- [FinOps hubs overview](finops-hubs-overview.md)
- [Data model](data-model.md)

Related products:
Related Copilot Studio articles:

- [Microsoft Copilot Studio](/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-what-is-copilot-studio)
- [Azure Data Explorer](/azure/data-explorer/)
- [Quickstart: Create and deploy an agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started)
- [Select a primary AI model for your agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/authoring-select-agent-model)
- [Add tools from an MCP server](/microsoft-copilot-studio/copilot-ai-plugins)
- [Add knowledge sources](/microsoft-copilot-studio/knowledge-add-existing-copilot)
- [Publish your agent](/microsoft-copilot-studio/publication-fundamentals-publish-channels)

<br>
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