Microsoft has released Skill Recorder, a free desktop application that records screen operations and voice explanations, then converts them into skills for AI agents like Copilot Cowork and Microsoft Scout.
The tool analyzes workflows using GitHub Copilot CLI and can create automations based on schedules or triggers.
It is available on GitHub under an MIT license for both commercial and non-commercial use, with primary support for macOS and secondary support for Windows 11.
What happened
Microsoft has released Skill Recorder, a free desktop app that records PC screen operations and voice explanations, then converts them into skills for AI agents like Microsoft Copilot Cowork and Microsoft Scout. The app analyzes the recorded workflow using GitHub Copilot CLI and can generate automation based on schedules or triggers, as well as output a Markdown file called SKILL.md.
Why it matters
This lowers the barrier for building AI-assisted workflows without coding. Teams can document repetitive tasks visually and let AI agents handle them automatically — reducing manual work and freeing staff for higher-value activities.
What to watch
Skill Recorder is available on GitHub under an MIT license (supporting commercial use). It is primarily targeted at macOS and also supports Windows 11. Access requires a GitHub account with GitHub Copilot permissions. Microsoft cautions users to avoid recording sensitive information like passwords.
Microsoft has released Skill Recorder, a free desktop application available on GitHub that transforms recorded screen operations into AI-executable tasks. The workflow is straightforward: users record their PC screen operations along with voice explanations of what they are doing. GitHub Copilot CLI then analyzes this recording to understand both the intent behind the task and the specific steps involved. This analysis is converted into a skill that can be used within Microsoft Copilot Cowork, Microsoft Scout, Copilot Studio, and other AI agent services.
Beyond simple task recording, Skill Recorder can generate automations that execute based on schedules or predefined triggers, reducing manual intervention. The app also outputs workflows as Markdown files (SKILL.md format), enabling documentation and potential integration into larger automation frameworks. The tool is distributed under an MIT license on GitHub, explicitly permitting commercial use.
The application is primarily designed for macOS but also supports Windows 11. To use Skill Recorder, users must have a GitHub account with access to GitHub Copilot. Microsoft emphasizes that users should take care to avoid recording sensitive information such as passwords during the recording process, a safeguard to prevent credential exposure in the automated workflows.
Skill Recorder addresses a long-standing gap in AI automation: the ability to teach AI agents how to perform tasks by example rather than explicit programming. By recording screen operations alongside voice explanations, users can encode procedural knowledge that GitHub Copilot CLI then analyzes and translates into executable skills. This approach democratizes workflow automation, making it accessible to non-programmers who can simply demonstrate a task.
The tool integrates with Microsoft's broader agentic ecosystem — Copilot Cowork, Microsoft Scout, and Copilot Studio — positioning it as a central mechanism for skill creation across multiple AI services. The option to export workflows as Markdown files (SKILL.md) adds flexibility for documentation and version control. Microsoft's explicit warning against recording sensitive information like passwords indicates awareness of security concerns, though users will need to exercise discipline during recording. The MIT license and GitHub distribution signal Microsoft's intent to encourage third-party contribution and adoption.
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