In this edition of the 🧭 Microsoft 365 Compass 🧭 newsletter, we’re taking a first look at one of the newest capabilities emerging in Microsoft 365 Copilot — the Workflows Frontier Agent.
This agent introduces a new, AI-assisted way to create personal productivity workflows inside Microsoft 365. Instead of starting with triggers, actions, and connectors, you describe what you want to happen in natural language — and Copilot generates and runs the workflow for you.
It’s designed for individual task automation — things like follow-ups, reminders, notifications, and simple multi-step processes that help you stay on top of your work — without opening Power Automate or building flows manually.
Before getting started, keep in mind that the Workflows Frontier Agent is currently available to organizations participating in the Frontier program, and you’ll need an active Microsoft 365 Copilot license. If your tenant has access enabled, you’ll see Workflows appear under Agents within Copilot.
What Is the Workflows Frontier Agent?
The Workflows Frontier Agent is an AI-powered Copilot agent that helps you create and run individual personal workflows using natural language.
Instead of manually assembling a flow, you describe what you want to happen. For example:
“Every weekday morning, summarize my unread emails and send me a Teams message. If I don’t respond to an email within three days, remind me.”
From that description, the Workflows agent can:
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Interpret your intent
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Generate the underlying workflow automatically
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Run the workflow on your behalf
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Let you refine behavior conversationally
This is not about building shared business processes or enterprise automations — it’s about reducing friction for personal task automation inside Microsoft 365.
See the Microsoft 365 Copilot Workflows Frontier Agent in Action
Instead of embedding screenshots or GIFs in this edition, I’ve published a YouTube walkthrough that shows the Workflows Frontier Agent in action from start to finish.
In the video, I cover:
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How to access the Workflows Frontier Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot
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How to build a personal automation that flags outstanding emails requiring your attention on a daily basis
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How to modify a workflow using natural language after it’s been created
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How to edit, test, disable, and delete workflows directly from Copilot
👉 Watch the full walkthrough on YouTube
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Important Limitations to Keep in Mind
Because the Workflows Frontier Agent is still early and intentionally scoped, there are some important limitations to understand:
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Workflows created with the agent cannot be edited, viewed, or triggered in Power Automate
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Workflows cannot be shared with other users
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Only a limited set of Microsoft 365 connectors is supported. The full catalog of Power Automate triggers, actions, and connectors is not available
It’s also important to note that the Workflows Frontier Agent is intended for individual, personal productivity flows — not team workflows, shared automations, or enterprise-grade process orchestration.
The supported triggers and actions are currently limited to a subset of Microsoft 365 services (such as Outlook, Teams, SharePoint Online, Planner, and Approvals).
Think of this agent as an AI-powered on-ramp to automation for individuals, not a replacement for Power Automate.
Why This Still Matters
Despite these constraints, the Workflows Frontier Agent is still an important signal.
Microsoft is clearly experimenting with a shift from tool-first automation to intent-first automation — where individuals describe outcomes and Copilot handles the mechanics.
This matters because it:
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Lowers the barrier to entry for automation
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Encourages experimentation without technical setup
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Helps individuals automate repetitive personal tasks
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Reduces dependency on flow builders for simple scenarios
Over time, this model may expand — but today, its strength is squarely in personal productivity, not enterprise workflow design.
💬 Your Turn
I’d love to hear how you’re thinking about this capability.
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What personal tasks would you want Copilot to automate for you?
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Do you see this replacing any of your existing personal flows?
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Would you like a follow-up edition comparing Workflows Frontier Agent vs Power Automate?
Just hit Reply — I read every message, and your feedback directly shapes what I cover next
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