Build AI agents without leaving VS Code, join our 3-part Reactor Series
Starting from August 25, we’re excited to host a free three-part live series at Microsoft Reactor. This event will guide you from understanding “what a hosted agent is” all the way to deploying an orchestrated multi-agent application, all crafted using VS Code and the Microsoft Foundry Toolkit.
Creating an AI agent can often feel like a juggling act. You might find yourself switching between a portal, terminal, notebook, and multiple documentation tabs. You enter some instructions, deploy, wait, test in a playground, and then you might realise that the agent created its own version of a non-existent policy, meaning you have to start all over again. This drawn-out feedback loop can stretch out in minutes, not seconds!
Thankfully, the Microsoft Foundry Toolkit for VS Code simplifies this whole process. You can generate an agent directly from the extension using the Command Palette, set up the model and its instructions, debug it using Agent Inspector, and finally deploy it to the Microsoft Foundry Agent Service.
We’ve all been in that situation where we’ve written the ideal post-mortem, detailing the root cause and timeline, only to be asked, “So, is the website actually down or not?”
In Session 2, you’ll have the chance to build a single-purpose agent. This agent takes a technically dense statement:
“The API latency increased due to thread pool exhaustion caused by synchronous calls introduced in v3.2.”
…and transforms it into something clearer:
Executive Summary:
– What happened: The system slowed down after the latest release.
– Business impact: Some users faced delays when using the service.
– Next step: We’ve rolled back the change and are working on a fix before redeploying.
Session 3 will elevate your skills with a multi-agent workflow. You’ll create four agents that work together to analyse a résumé and job description. They’ll extract key requirements, evaluate alignment, identify any gaps, and even develop a tailored learning pathway using Microsoft Learn resources.
During this session, you’ll discover orchestration patterns, agent-to-agent handoffs, and how to keep your multi-agent system easy to debug.
Title | Description | Date and Time | Speaker |
1⃣ What Is Microsoft Foundry Toolkit for VS Code? What’s New and How to Get Started | This foundational session takes you through the toolkit’s workflow: creating agents, configuring models, debugging locally with Agent Inspector, and deploying to the Microsoft Foundry Agent Service. | Tuesday, August 25 12:00 PM UTC | Junjie Li Senior Product Manager, DevDiv, Microsoft |
2⃣ Build Your First Microsoft Foundry Agent: Executive Briefings from Technical Updates | In this hands-on session, you’ll create a Python hosted agent, draft instructions, test safety limits in Agent Inspector, and deploy it to the cloud. | Tuesday, September 1 2:00 PM UTC | Bethany Jepchumba Cloud Advocate, Microsoft |
3⃣ Build a Multi-Agent Career Copilot: Resume-to-Job Fit Analysis | This orchestration session focuses on building a collaborative four-agent team to analyse résumés and job descriptions, score their alignment, and create learning roadmaps. | Thursday, September 3 3:00 PM UTC | Shivam Goyal Microsoft MVP (AI) |
Each session links back to our workshop in the companion repository, which supports over 50 programming languages. This allows you to build alongside us or catch up later:
Join us for the sessions on August 25, September 1, and September 3. Just register once for the entire series to gain access to all three sessions, and even if you can’t make it live, you’ll receive the recordings!
Bring all your questions along, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Microsoft Foundry Toolkit for VS Code?
The Microsoft Foundry Toolkit for VS Code is a tool that simplifies the development of hosted agents, allowing users to easily configure models, debug, and deploy applications.
2. How do I register for the sessions?
You can register for the series by clicking on the registration link throughout the article. Once registered, you’ll receive access to all live sessions and recordings.
3. What should I prepare for the sessions?
Bring your curiosity and any questions you may have about building AI agents! Knowledge of Python can be beneficial but isn’t required.
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