SharePoint Agents
SharePoint agents let people query a site, library or set of files without building a full Studio project — if licensing or pay-as-you-go is enabled.
What it is
Microsoft documents agents created with SharePoint as a simple way to query content from specific sites, folders or files. Agents are stored as .agent files in Site Assets; permissions on those files govern who can use or edit them. Site owners can set a main agent for the site header. Users need SharePoint access plus either a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence or tenant pay-as-you-go for SharePoint agents.
Where it sits in the stack
Site-scoped agents in the Microsoft 365 layer. They appear in SharePoint and Teams chat. For richer tools and channels, move to Agent Builder or Copilot Studio. Foundry can ground on SharePoint via knowledge sources for custom engines.
Key features / capabilities
- Ready-made and custom agents scoped to site content.
- Sharing follows SharePoint permissions; restricted content discovery can disable agents on sensitive sites.
- Admin inventory and block/unblock for Copilot Chat in the Microsoft 365 admin centre (Copilot Control System).
- Insights and Agent 365 integration for observability where licensed.
- Billing comparison: Copilot licence vs pay-as-you-go vs trial — see SharePoint agents get-started on Learn.
Who it is for / when to use
Site owners with a clean information architecture. Ideal for policy hubs, product sites and project war rooms. Poor fit for chaotic sites with broken permissions.
Admin brakes you should know
SharePoint admins can use restricted content discovery to stop a site’s content appearing in Copilot and to remove the Agent icon from that site’s header. Tenant AI admins can inventory agents used in Copilot Chat and block them. Site owners choose the main agent for the header. These controls are the difference between “agents everywhere” and a deliberate catalogue. Wire them into your production-grade checklist before the first wide enablement mail.
Cost layer
Copilot seats may cover usage; otherwise pay-as-you-go. Put the meter next to the site owner’s cost centre. See Managing cost and the feature matrix.
Risk and governance
Fix oversharing before enabling agents. Restricted content discovery is an admin brake for sensitive sites. More: Managing risk.
Adoption tip
Require a site owner demo of three prompts before you call the agent production. Habits: Adoption.
Related Ideas
Copilot for SharePoint · Agent Builder · Copilot Studio · Production grade
Source note: check Microsoft Learn and Product Terms before you brief finance or legal. Products, names and meters change. This site is independent commentary, not Microsoft official documentation.