microsoft-code-reference
Look up Microsoft API references, find working code samples, and verify SDK code is correct. Use when working with Azure SDKs, .NET libraries, or Microsoft APIs—to find the right method, check parameters, get working examples, or troubleshoot errors. Catches hallucinated methods, wrong signatures, and deprecated patterns by querying official docs.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill microsoft-code-reference- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads microsoft-code-reference automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
Security audits
Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Microsoft Code Reference
Tools
| Need | Tool | Example |
|---|---|---|
| API method/class lookup | microsoft_docs_search | "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs" |
| Working code sample | microsoft_code_sample_search | query: "upload blob managed identity", language: "python" |
| Full API reference | microsoft_docs_fetch | Fetch URL from microsoft_docs_search (for overloads, full signatures) |
Finding Code Samples
Use microsoft_code_sample_search to get official, working examples:
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "upload file to blob storage", language: "csharp")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "authenticate with managed identity", language: "python")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "send message service bus", language: "javascript")
When to use:
- Before writing code—find a working pattern to follow
- After errors—compare your code against a known-good sample
- Unsure of initialization/setup—samples show complete context
API Lookups
# Verify method exists (include namespace for precision)
"BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
"GraphServiceClient Users Microsoft.Graph"
# Find class/interface
"DefaultAzureCredential class Azure.Identity"
# Find correct package
"Azure Blob Storage NuGet package"
"azure-storage-blob pip package"
Fetch full page when method has multiple overloads or you need complete parameter details.
Error Troubleshooting
Use microsoft_code_sample_search to find working code samples and compare with your implementation. For specific errors, use microsoft_docs_search and microsoft_docs_fetch:
| Error Type | Query |
|---|---|
| Method not found | "[ClassName] methods [Namespace]" |
| Type not found | "[TypeName] NuGet package namespace" |
| Wrong signature | "[ClassName] [MethodName] overloads" → fetch full page |
| Deprecated warning | "[OldType] migration v12" |
| Auth failure | "DefaultAzureCredential troubleshooting" |
| 403 Forbidden | "[ServiceName] RBAC permissions" |
When to Verify
Always verify when:
- Method name seems "too convenient" (
UploadFilevs actualUpload) - Mixing SDK versions (v11
CloudBlobClientvs v12BlobServiceClient) - Package name doesn't follow conventions (
Azure.*for .NET,azure-*for Python) - Using an API for the first time
Validation Workflow
Before generating code using Microsoft SDKs, verify it's correct:
- Confirm method or package exists —
microsoft_docs_search(query: "[ClassName] [MethodName] [Namespace]") - Fetch full details (for overloads/complex params) —
microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...") - Find working sample —
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "[task]", language: "[lang]")
For simple lookups, step 1 alone may suffice. For complex API usage, complete all three steps.
CLI Alternative
If the Learn MCP server is not available, use the mslearn CLI from a terminal or shell (for example, Bash, PowerShell, or cmd) instead:
# Run directly (no install needed)
npx @microsoft/learn-cli search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
# Or install globally, then run
npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli
mslearn search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
| MCP Tool | CLI Command |
|---|---|
microsoft_docs_search(query: "...") | mslearn search "..." |
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "...", language: "...") | mslearn code-search "..." --language ... |
microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...") | mslearn fetch "..." |
Pass --json to search or code-search to get raw JSON output for further processing.
FAQ
What does the microsoft-code-reference skill do?
Look up Microsoft API references, find working code samples, and verify SDK code is correct. Use when working with Azure SDKs, .NET libraries, or Microsoft APIs—to find the right method, check parameters, get working examples, or troubleshoot errors. Catches hallucinated methods, wrong signatures, and deprecated patterns by querying official docs.
How do I install microsoft-code-reference?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill microsoft-code-reference in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/microsoft-code-reference/ (personal) or .claude/skills/microsoft-code-reference/ (project).
Which AI agents can use microsoft-code-reference?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is microsoft-code-reference safe to install?
Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed; Runlayer flagged items to review; ZeroLeaks passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.
Who maintains microsoft-code-reference?
It is published by github in github/awesome-copilot, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 14,275 recorded installs.
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