Microsoft Code Reference Skill (awesome-copilot) for Claude

Makes Claude look up Microsoft API docs and working code samples before it writes Azure, .NET or Graph code, for developers who use Microsoft SDKs.

Installs: 14.3K; on skills.sh
Stars: 40.7K; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

microsoft-code-reference makes Claude check Microsoft code against the official Microsoft Learn docs instead of trusting memory. It uses three lookups: search the docs, search for working code samples, and fetch a full reference page. The aim is to catch invented methods, wrong signatures and deprecated patterns.

It triggers when you work with Azure SDKs, .NET libraries or Microsoft APIs. It bundles one file and no scripts. It works best with the Microsoft Learn MCP server connected, and falls back to the mslearn command-line tool if the server is not available.

Good for

Developers writing against Azure SDKs and .NET libraries
Anyone who has been burned by an invented method name or an old SDK version
Teams debugging auth failures or 403 errors on Azure services

Install microsoft-code-reference

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the microsoft-code-reference skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill microsoft-code-reference

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

The skill is one file and does nothing without a lookup source: the Learn MCP server or the mslearn CLI.

From the vendor's docs. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

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.

Sections in SKILL.md

Tools
Finding Code Samples
API Lookups
Error Troubleshooting
When to Verify
Validation Workflow
CLI Alternative

Key facts

Author: github/awesome-copilot (community collection)
Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Installs on skills.sh: 14,292 as of 2026-11-02
GitHub stars: 40,666 for the whole github/awesome-copilot repo
Last repo commit: 2026-10-30
What is inside: 1 file: SKILL.md. It has no scripts.
Needs: The Microsoft Learn MCP server, or the mslearn CLI as a fallback

What it includes

Searches Microsoft Learn for an API method or class
Best with the namespace in the query, such as BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs. Also used to find the right package.
Try: “Check that BlobClient.UploadAsync exists in Azure.Storage.Blobs and show me the right overload.”
Network · microsoft_docs_search
Finds official working samples, filtered by language
Use before writing code, after errors, or when setup is unclear. The examples use csharp, python and javascript.
Network · microsoft_code_sample_search
Fetches a full reference page by URL
Used for overloads and complete parameter details, with a URL from the search tool.
Network · microsoft_docs_fetch
6 error types mapped to a query to run
Method not found, type not found, wrong signature, deprecated warning, auth failure and 403 Forbidden each get a suggested query.
Read · Error lookup table
4 triggers, such as a method name that seems too convenient
Verify when a method seems too convenient, SDK versions are mixed, a package name breaks convention or the API is new to you.
When to verify
Confirm the method, fetch details, find a sample
Three steps for complex use. For simple lookups, step 1 may be enough.
Network · Validation workflow
search, code-search and fetch from a terminal
Runs with npx @microsoft/learn-cli or after npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli. Add --json to search or code-search for raw output.
Runs code · mslearn CLI fallback

From the official docs

Permissions

Low risk

The skill sends your search queries to Microsoft Learn, and its fallback runs an npm package on your machine.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

The CLI fallback installs an npm package
npx runs @microsoft/learn-cli, and the skill also shows a global npm install. Prefer the MCP server if you want to avoid that. github.com

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	No read-only mode is described. The lookups themselves search and fetch docs.
Talks to	The MCP route sends search queries and URLs to the server at https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp. SKILL.md does not name the host the mslearn CLI contacts; npx and npm install -g download the package from the npm registry
Sign-in and keys	SKILL.md mentions no key or sign-in.
Data retention	Not described in SKILL.md.
Scopes	Claude calls the Microsoft Learn MCP tools, or runs mslearn through your shell The fallback runs npx @microsoft/learn-cli, or installs it globally with npm install -g

Questions

What does the microsoft-code-reference skill do?

It makes Claude verify Microsoft SDK code against Microsoft Learn before and after writing it. It checks that methods, packages and signatures exist and finds official samples to follow.

How do I install it?

Use the install box at the top of this page. The skill is one file, but it needs a lookup source: connect the Microsoft Learn MCP server, or use the mslearn command-line tool.

What is the Microsoft Learn MCP server URL?

The skill names https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp. Add that address as an MCP server in your client. How you add it depends on the client.

Does it need an API key?

SKILL.md mentions no key or sign-in for the Learn MCP server or the mslearn CLI.

Does it work without the MCP server?

Yes, through the mslearn CLI. The skill maps each MCP tool to a command: search, code-search and fetch. It can be run with npx without installing.

Is it safe?

The skill bundles no scripts. Its MCP route uses the server at learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp, so your search text goes to that address. The CLI route runs a package from npm, and SKILL.md does not say where that tool sends queries. The awesome-copilot README says its content comes from third-party developers, so read the skill before installing.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: github/awesome-copilot
Folder: skills/microsoft-code-reference

github/awesome-copilot skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 3

microsoft-code-reference SKILL.md · github.com
skills CLI commands · github.com
github/awesome-copilot README · github.com