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MS Teams & Copilot is a messaging-based communication channel that enables your agent to interact directly with users within Microsoft Teams. It supports natural text-based conversations, allowing your agent to handle inquiries, provide support, share information, or deliver interactive experiences through the Teams platform. Once installed, your agent becomes available as a custom app in Microsoft Teams, where users can interact with it through direct messages, group chats, team channels, and Microsoft Copilot. The agent responds naturally to questions and requests, providing automated assistance wherever your team communicates within Teams.

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Setup and Installation

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Channel Configuration

When creating a Microsoft Teams channel in VIVI, you’ll configure the following settings:
  • Channel Name: An internal identifier for your channel within VIVI
  • Display Name: The name that will be displayed to users in Microsoft Teams and Copilot
  • Description: A description shown to users in Microsoft Teams that explains your agent’s purpose
  • Welcome Message: An optional greeting shown when users start a conversation with your agent
  • Logo URL: A custom logo image that represents your agent in Teams
You can update these settings anytime by revisiting the channel’s Settings after creation.

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Permissions

Configure the permissions your agent needs to function in Microsoft Teams:
Read basic user profile information such as display name and email address.
This permission is required
Enables message and attachment reading in Team channels:
  • Thread context: Access root message + up to 20 replies when mentioned
  • File attachments: Access attachment information when users share files in channels
Enables message and attachment reading in group chats:
  • Chat context: Access last 20 messages when mentioned
  • File attachments: Access attachment information when users share files in chats
Download and process file attachments from group chats and channels:
  • Download files from SharePoint (for channels) or OneDrive (for chats)
  • Process pasted screenshots in group conversations
Not required for 1:1 chat attachments

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Installation Steps

After creating your channel, there will be a brief authentication period. Once authentication is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email indicating your channel is ready to install. To install your agent in Microsoft Teams, follow the steps below.
You’ll need Global Administrator access to your organization’s Microsoft Teams Admin Center to grant admin consent during this process.
1

Download the App Manifest

Download the app manifest file (.zip) which contains all the configuration needed to install your agent in Microsoft Teams.
2

Open Teams Admin Center

Navigate to the Microsoft Teams Admin Center and go to Teams apps > Manage apps.
3

Upload the App Package

Click the Actions dropdown and select Upload new app, then choose the manifest file you downloaded. This will register your bot as a custom app in your organization.
4

Grant Admin Consent

Open your app, go to the Permissions tab, and click Grant admin consent to approve the required permissions for your organization.
5

Connect and Test Your Channel

Before testing, ensure this channel is connected to an agent in the Agents section of VIVI. Then search for your app in Microsoft Teams, start a conversation, and verify it’s working correctly.
Once installation is complete, your agent becomes discoverable by anyone in your organization through the Teams app directory. Test thoroughly before finishing installation. For a controlled rollout, you can share the agent’s name only with specific testers, though anyone can still find it by searching for it by name.

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Where to Use Your Agent

Your agent can be accessed in multiple locations within Microsoft Teams and Copilot. Each location offers different interaction patterns and capabilities:
LocationHow to InteractInteraction BehaviorContext AwarenessFile Attachment Support
Microsoft CopilotMessage your agent directly via portal.office.com or the Copilot interface in TeamsResponds automatically to all messages without requiring @ mentionFull conversation historyNot supported (known Copilot limitation)
Personal Chat (1:1)Open a direct chat with your agentResponds automatically to all messages without requiring @ mentionFull conversation historySupported via “Attach cloud files” or “Upload from this device”
1:1 Chat with OthersOpen a chat with another person, then mention @AgentName to add your agentMust be mentioned with @AgentName to respond; will not reply automaticallyAccess to approximately the last 20 messages for thread contextSupported via “Attach cloud files” or “Upload from this device”
Group ChatsAdd agent to group chat by using @AgentNameMust be mentioned with @AgentName to respond; will not reply automatically. The agent will send its welcome message whenever someone new joins the chat.Access to approximately the last 20 messages for thread contextSupported via “Attach cloud files” or “Upload from this device”
Team ChannelsMention your agent using @AgentName in a channel threadMust be mentioned with @AgentName to respond within channel threadsAccess to the specific channel thread it is mentioned onSupported via “Attach cloud files” or “Upload from this device”

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Best Practices

  • Set appropriate expectations in your agent’s prompt for what it can and cannot help with in the Teams environment.
  • Use the description field to help users understand your agent’s capabilities before they start a conversation.
  • Create a welcoming and informative welcome message that sets the tone and provides guidance on how to interact with your agent.