Microsoft gives Copilot more scope for agents and apps
New features let users describe, build and manage apps within Microsoft’s Copilot and Power Platform environment.
Microsoft is expanding Copilot with features for building apps and support for programming. The announced capabilities range from building an app based on a description to adapting Power Apps with the help of a coding agent.
An App skill was added to Copilot Cowork in September for users of the Frontier programme. Microsoft describes the feature as a way to create a lightweight, interactive app from a conversation, which can then be refined, opened, published and shared within an organisation.
Copilot Studio is also gaining capabilities for building business apps. Microsoft says users can describe a goal, user group, data sources and desired actions in ordinary language. The software then creates an initial app design, which the user can adapt in a conversation.
In its September Power Platform update, Microsoft also reports that a canvas authoring agent plugin is generally available. The plugin helps makers create, view and adapt canvas apps through a coding agent. Microsoft explicitly links this to Model Context Protocol support, allowing agents to work with development and business processes.
For model-driven apps, Microsoft is introducing an app-builder skill that, according to the company, can also edit existing applications. The user first receives a build plan covering data tables, forms, roles and processes, among other elements. Only after approval are artefacts created in Power Apps and Dataverse. This approval stage is intended as a check before changes are carried out.
The move aligns with Microsoft’s broader interest in OpenClaw-like agents. TechCrunch reported in April that Microsoft was testing features to integrate such capabilities into Microsoft 365 Copilot, with additional security measures for business users. That report concerned testing rather than a general release; current public Microsoft documentation primarily confirms the app and development features.
The business significance therefore lies not only in faster programming. Agents gain access to data and systems and can consequently also make mistakes or carry out unwanted changes. Permissions management, human approval, logging and clear boundaries around business data remain necessary. Microsoft does publish features and controls, but the public announcements do not yet provide an independent measurement of productivity gains or error rates.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Microsoft is expanding Copilot Cowork, Copilot Studio and Power Platform with agentic app and development features.
- Some features are Frontier, in preview or generally available; the status differs by product.
- According to Microsoft, the app builder can first have a build plan approved.
- Earlier reporting on an OpenClaw-like agent concerned testing.
Left
Arguments Agents that can operate business data and systems should be subject to strict public and internal oversight. Transparency, privacy, worker protection and human control are more important than speed alone.
Values Fundamental rights, worker protection, privacy and democratic oversight of automation.
Consequences Stricter approval and documentation may slow deployment, but reduce the risk of hidden errors and concentrations of power.
Centre
Arguments The right approach is risk-based: simple tasks can be automated more quickly, while sensitive actions require human approval and logging. Standards and clear responsibilities should enable innovation without allowing it to go unchecked.
Values Proportionality, safety, innovation and administrative clarity.
Consequences Organisations can achieve productivity gains, but must invest in permissions management, oversight and training.
Right
Arguments Companies should be given room to try out new software and agent features quickly. Overly burdensome rules could put European companies at a disadvantage against American and Asian competitors; liability and market choices can already impose discipline on many risks.
Values Freedom to innovate, entrepreneurship, competitiveness and individual responsibility.
Consequences Rapid adoption can make companies more efficient, but increases the risk that security and social consequences are tightened only after incidents.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The features described can be found directly in Microsoft’s product documentation. Claims about productivity gains, error reduction or a general OpenClaw release have not been made.
- confirmed Copilot Cowork received an App skill in September for creating interactive apps from a description. — Microsoft Learn explicitly mentions the App skill in the September update. source
- confirmed The canvas authoring agent plugin is generally available. — This is stated in Microsoft’s September update for Power Platform. source
- confirmed The app-builder skill works with natural-language requirements and requests approval before artefacts are created. — Microsoft describes the build plan and approval stage in the product update. source
- confirmed Microsoft previously tested OpenClaw-like features for Microsoft 365 Copilot. — TechCrunch described these tests in April 2026. source
- confirmed There is still no independent measurement of productivity gains or error rates in the cited sources. — The cited product announcements describe features, not an independent evaluation. source
Editor's note
The new features and their availability status are based on Microsoft’s own documentation. The link to OpenClaw concerns previously reported tests; there is no evidence that an OpenClaw clone is now generally available.Sources
- Build business apps with Copilot Cowork and Copilot Studio — Microsoft Copilot Blog
- What’s new in Power Platform: September 2026 feature update — Microsoft Power Platform Blog
- What’s new in Copilot Cowork — Microsoft Learn
- Microsoft is working on yet another OpenClaw-like agent — TechCrunch
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