learning-plan

name: learning-plan description: | Creates structured learning plans from Microsoft Learn documentation. Use when the user asks to "create a learning plan", "help me learn", "what should I study for", "build a study guide", "prepare for certification", "get up to speed on", "onboard me to", or wants to learn a Microsoft technology from scratch or deepen their expertise. metadata: author: Troy Taylor version: "1.0" pattern: mutation cowork.category: Learning

Create Learning Plans

What This Skill Does

Researches Microsoft Learn documentation for a given topic and produces a structured, sequenced learning plan. Organizes articles, tutorials, and code samples into a logical progression from fundamentals to advanced topics.

When to Activate

• User wants to learn a new Microsoft technology
• User is preparing for a Microsoft certification
• User asks to "get up to speed" or "onboard" to a topic
• User wants a study guide or reading list
• User asks "where do I start" with a technology

Workflow

1. Clarify the learning goal. Determine:

   • Topic: What technology or skill? (e.g., "Azure networking", "Power Platform connectors", "Copilot extensibility")
   • Level: Beginner, intermediate, or preparing for a certification?
   • Time: How much time do they have? (affects depth and scope)
   • Focus: Conceptual understanding, hands-on skills, or both?

2. Research foundational content. Use microsoft_docs_search to find overview and getting-started articles:

   microsoft_docs_search(query: "Azure networking fundamentals overview") microsoft_docs_search(query: "Azure networking getting started tutorial")

3. Research intermediate/advanced content. Search for deeper topics:

   microsoft_docs_search(query: "Azure virtual network peering configuration") microsoft_docs_search(query: "Azure network security groups best practices")

4. Find hands-on examples. Use microsoft_code_sample_search for practical implementation examples:

   microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "Azure virtual network Bicep template")

5. Sequence the content. Organize into a logical learning path:

   • Phase 1: Foundations — Concepts, overviews, "what is" articles
   • Phase 2: Core skills — Tutorials, how-to guides, configurations
   • Phase 3: Advanced — Best practices, architecture patterns, troubleshooting
   • Phase 4: Practice — Code samples, hands-on labs, real-world scenarios

6. Create the plan document. Present as a structured plan. Offer to save it as a document the user can reference later.

Output Format

Learning Plan: Azure Networking

Estimated time: 8-10 hours | Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Phase 1: Foundations (2 hours)

Phase 2: Core Skills (3 hours)

Phase 3: Advanced (3 hours)

Next steps:

• Want me to save this as a document?
• Should I find certification-specific content for AZ-700?
• I can expand any phase with more detail.

Handling Edge Cases

• Very broad topic: If the user says "teach me Azure," ask what area they're most interested in. Azure is too broad for a single plan.
• Certification prep: If they mention a specific exam (AZ-104, AZ-700), search for the exam study guide on Learn and structure the plan around the exam objectives.
• Time-constrained: If they have "an hour," focus on Phase 1 only and recommend the single best overview article.
• Already experienced: If they say they know the basics, skip Phase 1 and start with Phase 2 or 3. Ask what they already know.