Creating AI Agents with GitHub Copilot
This one-day, instructor-led virtual course teaches software developers how to build AI agents using GitHub Copilot as both the development accelerator and the agent runtime platform.
Description
This one-day, instructor-led virtual course teaches software developers how to build AI agents using GitHub Copilot as both the development accelerator and the agent runtime platform. Participants learn what AI agents are, how to design them with clear behavioral specifications, how to build MCP servers that give agents access to external tools and data, how orchestration patterns coordinate multi-step agent workflows, and how to test and govern agents for production use. GitHub Copilot is woven throughout — participants use Copilot's agent mode, chat, and inline suggestions to accelerate every stage of agent development, and build MCP servers that extend Copilot's own capabilities. All labs use general software development scenarios — API integration, code analysis, documentation generation, and development workflow automation — so participants apply every concept to the work they do every day.
Who This Course Is For
- Software developers with 3+ years of experience building applications in any language
- Full-stack and backend engineers evaluating AI agent adoption for their teams
- DevOps and platform engineers interested in automating development workflows with agents
- Technical leads responsible for developer productivity and tooling decisions
- Developers with backgrounds across multiple languages and frameworks (course examples use Python and TypeScript)
What You Will Learn
- Explain generative AI fundamentals and identify where AI agents add value to software development workflows, distinguishing agents from chatbots, RAG applications, and traditional automation.
- Design and build AI agents using GitHub Copilot's agent mode with custom instructions, behavioral specifications, and tool integration for software development tasks.
- Build and configure MCP servers that expose external tools and data sources to AI agents through a standardized protocol, enabling dynamic tool discovery and integration with Copilot.
- Implement orchestration patterns to coordinate multi-step agent workflows, including sequential chains, parallel fan-out, routing, and supervisor patterns.
- Apply testing frameworks and governance practices to ensure AI agents are reliable, safe, and auditable for production use.
- Integrate agent design, MCP tool integration, orchestration, and governance into a complete, working agent system demonstrated through a capstone project.
Course Outline
- Generative AI and Agent Fundamentals
- Building Agents with GitHub Copilot
- MCP Server Development
- Agent Orchestration Patterns
- Agent Testing and Governance
- Capstone — Build Your Agent
This is a high-level overview. For the complete syllabus with detailed topics and lab descriptions, request the full syllabus.
Prerequisites
- 3+ years of hands-on software development experience
- Comfort with at least one programming language (Python or TypeScript preferred; examples use both)
- Basic understanding of REST APIs and JSON
- Familiarity with VS Code as a development environment
- A GitHub account with Copilot access (individual or organizational license)
- VS Code installed with the GitHub Copilot and GitHub Copilot Chat extensions activated
- Python 3.12+ and Node.js 22+ installed locally
- A modern web browser and reliable internet connection for vILT delivery
Delivery Options
- Virtual instructor-led
Bring This Course to Your Team
This course is delivered as private, instructor-led training for teams and organizations. Contact us for a quote, scheduling, and group options.