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Microsoft Code Reference

OfficialFree

Quickly access Microsoft API documentation and code samples.

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Free · Opens the source repo

What Microsoft Code Reference does

The Microsoft Code Reference skill is designed for developers working with Microsoft APIs, Azure SDKs, and .NET libraries. It provides a streamlined way to look up API methods, verify SDK code correctness, and find working code samples. By querying official documentation, this skill helps ensure that developers are using the right method signatures and avoiding deprecated patterns. It is particularly useful for those who need to troubleshoot errors or confirm the existence of methods and classes before implementing them in their code.

With tools like microsoft_docs_search, microsoft_code_sample_search, and microsoft_docs_fetch, users can efficiently gather the information they need. For instance, if a developer is unsure about how to upload a file to Azure Blob Storage, they can use the skill to find a relevant code sample in their preferred programming language. The skill also assists in error troubleshooting by allowing users to search for specific error messages and receive guidance on resolving them.

This skill is ideal for both novice and experienced developers who frequently interact with Microsoft technologies. It can be used before writing code to find a working pattern, after encountering errors to compare implementations with known-good samples, or whenever there is uncertainty about initialization and setup. By providing direct access to official documentation and code samples, it helps reduce the time spent searching for information and increases coding efficiency.

In summary, the Microsoft Code Reference skill is a valuable tool for anyone developing applications using Microsoft services, enabling them to write accurate and efficient code with confidence.

When to use it

Use this skill when you need to look up Microsoft API methods, find working code examples, or troubleshoot errors in your code.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for non-Microsoft technologies or for users who do not require detailed API documentation.

What you can build with it

Finding Code Samples for Azure Blob Storage

Use the skill to search for code samples on how to upload files to Azure Blob Storage in C# or Python.

Verifying SDK Method Signatures

Before implementing a method, confirm its existence and correct usage by querying the API documentation.

Troubleshooting Authentication Errors

When encountering authentication issues, search for troubleshooting steps related to the DefaultAzureCredential.

How to install Microsoft Code Reference

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot/microsoft-code-reference --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by github

Microsoft Code Reference

Tools

NeedToolExample
API method/class lookupmicrosoft_docs_search"BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
Working code samplemicrosoft_code_sample_searchquery: "upload blob managed identity", language: "python"
Full API referencemicrosoft_docs_fetchFetch URL from microsoft_docs_search (for overloads, full signatures)

Finding Code Samples

Use microsoft_code_sample_search to get official, working examples:

microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "upload file to blob storage", language: "csharp")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "authenticate with managed identity", language: "python")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "send message service bus", language: "javascript")

When to use:

  • Before writing code—find a working pattern to follow
  • After errors—compare your code against a known-good sample
  • Unsure of initialization/setup—samples show complete context

API Lookups

# Verify method exists (include namespace for precision)
"BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
"GraphServiceClient Users Microsoft.Graph"

# Find class/interface
"DefaultAzureCredential class Azure.Identity"

# Find correct package
"Azure Blob Storage NuGet package"
"azure-storage-blob pip package"

Fetch full page when method has multiple overloads or you need complete parameter details.

Error Troubleshooting

Use microsoft_code_sample_search to find working code samples and compare with your implementation. For specific errors, use microsoft_docs_search and microsoft_docs_fetch:

Error TypeQuery
Method not found"[ClassName] methods [Namespace]"
Type not found"[TypeName] NuGet package namespace"
Wrong signature"[ClassName] [MethodName] overloads" → fetch full page
Deprecated warning"[OldType] migration v12"
Auth failure"DefaultAzureCredential troubleshooting"
403 Forbidden"[ServiceName] RBAC permissions"

When to Verify

Always verify when:

  • Method name seems "too convenient" (UploadFile vs actual Upload)
  • Mixing SDK versions (v11 CloudBlobClient vs v12 BlobServiceClient)
  • Package name doesn't follow conventions (Azure.* for .NET, azure-* for Python)
  • Using an API for the first time

Validation Workflow

Before generating code using Microsoft SDKs, verify it's correct:

  1. Confirm method or package existsmicrosoft_docs_search(query: "[ClassName] [MethodName] [Namespace]")
  2. Fetch full details (for overloads/complex params) — microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...")
  3. Find working samplemicrosoft_code_sample_search(query: "[task]", language: "[lang]")

For simple lookups, step 1 alone may suffice. For complex API usage, complete all three steps.

CLI Alternative

If the Learn MCP server is not available, use the mslearn CLI from a terminal or shell (for example, Bash, PowerShell, or cmd) instead:

# Run directly (no install needed)
npx @microsoft/learn-cli search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"

# Or install globally, then run
npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli
mslearn search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
MCP ToolCLI Command
microsoft_docs_search(query: "...")mslearn search "..."
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "...", language: "...")mslearn code-search "..." --language ...
microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...")mslearn fetch "..."

Pass --json to search or code-search to get raw JSON output for further processing.

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Code Reference

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