Get started with Project Opal (Frontier)

Project Opal is a new capability in Microsoft 365 Copilot that gets task-based work done for you. You describe the task and Opal starts to work on your behalf, leveraging computer use on a secure Windows 365 Cloud PC to work across your organization’s browser-based applications, sites, and data. Opal works asynchronously in the background, and users can guide the work along the way as needed and take control at any time.

Project Opal takes on multiple tasks to more complex processes that include:

Completing a checklist of items to onboard a new employee
Reviewing and documenting information and capturing screenshots for a compliance audit
Triaging IT incidents by updating ticket status, assigning owners, and closing duplicates based on meeting transcripts or notes

Notes:

Opal is currently only available in the Frontier early access program with a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription. Frontier includes early access to experimental features, which means features may change as Microsoft improves them. Learn more about Frontier.
To use Project Opal, it must be enabled by your organization. If you are an admin and want to learn more, see Learn how to get started with Project Opal.

Where to find Project Opal

How to use Project Opal

Open Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Select Frontier in the left navigation pane.
Select Opal. It will open in a new browser.
Start a job by selecting +New.
Describe the work you want done, including any expected outputs.
Select Start, and Opal will start working on your job by generating a plan. A Windows 365 Cloud PC will be initialized, and you will be prompted to sign-in so Opal can work on your behalf. You may also need to allow browser pop-ups for authentication purposes.
As Opal is working on the task, you’ll have the ability to maximize the computer view to see the actions that Opal is taking.
If Opal needs more details from you, it will pause its work and ask for help. You can also guide the work as it’s happening by adding in additional commands or requests in the chat box and take control at any time.

Resume a job paused by Project Opal

Opal may pause if it needs more information such as login credentials, sensitive information, or clarification on ambiguous instructions. You'll see information on why it is paused.

Respond to Opal with the requested information in chat.
Once you respond, Opal will continue the job.

Take control during a job

Select Take Control above the Windows Cloud PC.
This pauses the agent and switches you into a Remote Desktop interface, allowing you to interact directly with the Cloud PC.

Give back control of a job to Project Opal

To give back control of a job, select Return control.
Optionally, you can enter information about what you did before you hand back control so Opal can pick up in the right place.

Pause or resume a task

While the task is running, select Pause at the top. When you’re ready to start again, select Resume.

Create a new job based on the prompt for your current job

Select the three dots in the top-right corner of the Opal interface.
Select Duplicate request.

End a job

Select the three dots in the top-right corner of the Opal interface.
Select End job to shut down the Windows 365 for Agents Cloud PC and end the job.

Delete a job

On the main homepage of Project Opal, select the three dots in the top-right corner.
Select Delete job.

Find and manage your jobs

On the Project Opal homepage, under All jobs, you’ll find a list of all current and previous jobs you have where you can:

Create a new job based on a previous job
View a previous job and its status
End job
Delete a job

How do I ensure my data is secure when using Project Opal?

Opal is built with enterprise-grade security and privacy in mind. Here’s how your data is protected:

Secure environment: Project Opal operates on Windows Cloud PCs to ensure all actions take place in a managed, isolated environment that meets organizational security standards.
User-centric guardrails: Project Opal uses your identity to only accesses data and systems you are authorized for. It never performs sensitive actions—like entering passwords or submitting forms—without your explicit confirmation. You can monitor and intervene at any time.
Limited Access by Default: For its initial release, Project Opal is restricted to a browser-only experience and can only access websites by your IT admin. All other computer access is blocked, and browser policies are enforced through Intune.
Privacy Controls: Project Opal does not share data outside your organization or perform unauthorized actions.
Supervised Actions: Project Opal’s reasoning engine is supervised at every step. If suspicious activity is detected, Opal will pause and ask for your confirmation before proceeding to help prevent prompt unauthorized actions.
Auditability: All actions taken by Project Opal are logged for transparency and traceability, so you can review what was done and why.

Get the best results with Project Opal

Start with clear, specific prompts: Be precise when describing the task. Clear instructions help Project Opal generate a better plan and reduce the need for follow-up clarifications.
Return control: If you take control, remember to select Finish up and describe to Opal what you did so it can resume accurately and smoothly.
Respond to prompts: When Opal needs help, respond promptly to ensure the task is completed.
Turn on browser notifications: Use your browser settings to make sure that notifications are turned on for Project Opal. This way, you can be notified when Project Opal needs your assistance or when it is has completed the work.
Provide feedback: Use the thumbs up/thumbs down icons or select Give feedback to help improve performance of Project Opal.