Domain 3 of 3 · Chapter 5 of 7

Add existing agents to a solution

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Included in this chapter:

  • Where the packaging half of the release starts
  • Adding an agent that already exists
  • Pulling in what the agent depends on
  • Custom connectors first, connection references second
  • Exporting the package from the unmanaged source
  • Importing, and the two questions the import asks
  • What the import leaves for you to redo
  • Choosing the solution action on a redeployment
  • Removing an unmanaged layer from a managed agent
  • The mistakes that fail a release

The three solution action options when you import over an installed managed solution

Decision criterionUpgradeStage for UpgradeUpdate
Where you choose itThe default option on the import paneUnder Advanced settingsUnder Advanced settings
Target components absent from the newer versionDeletedDeletion deferred until you apply the upgradeNot deleted; they remain in the system
Previous patchesRolled up in one stepRolled up when you complete the upgradeNot rolled up
Both versions installed at onceNoYes, which is the reason to pick itNo
Extra step to finishNoneSelect the base solution, then Apply Solution UpgradeNone
What Microsoft says it is forEnsuring the resulting configuration state is consistent with the importing solutionDoing some data migration before completing the upgradeBest performance, typically finishing in less time than the upgrade methods

Decision tree

Solution already installed in target?NoYesAgent uses a custom connector?Unmanaged layer on the agent?YesNoYesNoConnectors solution first,then the agent solutionImport the managedagent solutionRemove theunmanaged layerDrop componentsremoved in development?YesNoBoth versions at oncefor a data migration?Updatekeeps target extrasYesNoStage for Upgrade,then Apply Solution UpgradeUpgradedeletes what is gone
Cheat sheet

Cheat sheet

  • Add an existing agent through the Agent object picker
  • Components added later require a dependency refresh
  • Flows and environment variables must be included as required objects
  • Import a custom connector before its connection reference
  • Add environment variables and required dependencies to the agent solution
  • Package connection references separately from environment settings
  • Verify separately stored agent resources before export
  • Review agent properties that solution transport does not preserve
  • Export the agent from an unmanaged source solution
  • Importing the solution recreates the packaged agent in the target
  • An imported agent must be published before sharing
  • Reconfigure user authentication after agent import
  • Deploy managed solutions while retaining the unmanaged source
  • Add required agent objects to the solution before export
  • Choose the managed-solution maintenance operation by intended effect

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References

  1. Create a solution in Power Apps
  2. Export and import agents using solutions - Microsoft Copilot Studio
  3. Dependency tracking for solution components in Microsoft Dataverse with Power Platform
  4. Create custom connectors in solutions
  5. Use a connection reference in a solution with Microsoft Dataverse - Power Apps
  6. Establish an Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) strategy - Microsoft Copilot Studio
  7. Export solutions - Power Apps
  8. Import solutions in Power Platform - Power Apps
  9. Key concepts - Publish and deploy your agent - Microsoft Copilot Studio
  10. Update a solution - Power Apps
  11. Solution layers in Power Platform - Power Apps
  12. Create and manage custom solutions - Microsoft Copilot Studio