Powerbi Report CLI — Agent Skill by Microsoft

From the author

Plan, design, author, preview, publish, and manage Power BI reports across requirements, page design, local PBIR/PBIP edits, validation, screenshots, Fabric upload/download, and rebinding. Use for report lifecycle work; use semantic-model-authoring for model or DAX changes and fabriciq for data questions. Triggers: plan Power BI report, design report page, edit PBIR, preview PBIP, publish report, rebind report

— the description by Microsoft

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The powerbi-report-cli skill provides a structured, mode-based framework for managing the entire Power BI report lifecycle. It acts as a dispatcher across four distinct phases: planning (requirements and scope), design (visual and layout strategy), authoring (local PBIR/PBIP file manipulation and validation), and management (Fabric item transport and rebinding). The skill enforces strict boundaries between these modes to ensure quality, requiring explicit approval for new reports and utilizing a dedicated CLI for metadata-driven validation and authoring tasks.

What it does

Guides users through report requirements, scope, and page planning.
Provides design contracts for visual archetypes, layouts, and branding.
Enables local editing, validation, and previewing of PBIR and PBIP files.
Handles report item transport to and from Microsoft Fabric.
Supports re-theming, conditional formatting, and visual configuration.
Enforces a mandatory approval gate for greenfield report development.

When to use it

When planning a new Power BI report from a semantic model.
When you need to define a professional design brief or layout strategy.
When editing local PBIR/PBIP files, including visuals, filters, and themes.
When validating report structure and formatting before deployment.
When publishing or managing report items within a Fabric workspace.

Advantages

Ensures consistent report quality through a structured, multi-mode workflow.
Prevents premature publishing by enforcing a mandatory approval barrier.
Uses a dedicated CLI to eliminate guesswork in PBIR schema and property editing.
Maintains clear separation between design intent and technical implementation.
Provides robust validation tools to catch errors before Fabric deployment.

Usage examples

“Create a new executive report from this semantic model.”: The agent enters planning mode, inspects the model, generates a report spec, and requests user approval before proceeding.
“Design an operational page and choose the right charts.”: The agent enters design mode, produces a design brief with page archetypes and chart recommendations.
“Add a KPI page to this PBIP, validate it, and take screenshots.”: The agent enters authoring mode, modifies the local PBIP files, runs validation, and captures screenshots for review.
“Publish this local PBIP to my Fabric workspace and rebind it.”: The agent enters management mode, performs the upload to Fabric, and completes the rebind operation.

Install

Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/microsoft/powerbi-report-cli/download

Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip powerbi-report-cli.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Microsoft

Telemetry — MANDATORY. Every api.fabric.microsoft.com call must carry x-ms-fabric-skill: powerbi-report-cli (az rest: --headers "x-ms-fabric-skill=powerbi-report-cli"), including every LRO poll, fabric_lro and retry. Snippets omit it — add it anyway.

CRITICAL NOTES
To find workspace details, including its ID, from a workspace name: list all workspaces, then use JMESPath filtering.
To find item details, including its ID, from a workspace ID, item type, and item name: list all items of that type in that workspace, then use JMESPath filtering.
Use powerbi-report-cli for the report artifact: requirements, design, PBIR/PBIP page and visual edits, preview, and publishing. Semantic model, measure, and DAX work belongs to a semantic-model skill. Natural-language questions about report data belong to fabriciq.

Power BI Reports - CLI Skill

This skill owns the Power BI report lifecycle end to end: requirements and scope, visual design, local PBIR/PBIP authoring and preview, and report-item transport to and from Microsoft Fabric.

It is a mode dispatcher and intentionally contains no detailed procedures. Select the mode that matches the request, then read the matching mode reference end to end before acting. The mode file holds the required workflow, commands, payloads, templates, and failure rules.

Mode Selection

Mode	Use when the request...	Existing route examples	Read first
`planning`	creates a new report/dashboard and needs requirements, model/dependency inspection, scope, a page plan, and approval before implementation	create a report, build a dashboard, create from a semantic model, plan then implement, walk me through creating a report	references/planning.md, then references/planning-part-02.md
`design`	decides what a report should look like: tone, signature, page archetype, chart type, layout, color, typography, theme direction, accessibility, brand application, redesign, or critique	design a Power BI report, make the dashboard professional, choose a chart, apply a brand, redesign the report, create a design brief	references/design.md
`authoring`	reads or edits local PBIR/PBIP files, validates them, previews the report, or captures screenshots	edit PBIR, create/add a report page or visual, format a visual, add filters/slicers/bookmarks/themes, validate PBIR, preview/reload/screenshot in Desktop or service	references/authoring.md
`management`	moves a report definition to or from Fabric or manages the workspace report item	publish/upload/download PBIR or PBIP, list reports, get/update/delete a report, rebind a report	references/management.md

Mode Boundary Rules

Classify by intent, not by which file or tool is already open.
design decides what the report should look like; authoring writes the PBIR that realizes it. Choosing a chart type is design; encoding it into visual.json is authoring.
Restyling or reformatting an existing local report is authoring, even when the request uses design language. Use design when the user wants advice or a design contract rather than a file change.
authoring changes local files and performs preview/validation. It does not publish to Fabric.
management transports definitions and manages Fabric report items. It does not invent or directly author PBIR content.
planning owns the guided requirements-to-approval flow for a new report. A focused edit to an existing report goes directly to authoring.

A greenfield request can span modes in this order:

planning -> design -> authoring -> management

Handle one mode at a time. Announce each switch and read the new mode reference before starting that part. The planning approval gate is a turn boundary: never build or publish until the user explicitly approves the locked spec in a later reply.

GREENFIELD APPROVAL BARRIER — MANDATORY. When a new-report request asks to plan, build, and/or publish but the user has not approved a locked spec in a prior reply, set the current phase to approval_pending and keep planning as the only active mode. In this phase, do not load authoring or management, edit/scaffold PBIR or semantic-model files, generate synthetic data, call Fabric write APIs, or publish. Persist _brief/report-spec.md, ask for explicit approval, and end the turn. The build/publish wording in the original request is desired future scope, not approval to cross this barrier.

Required Deliverable by Mode

Mode	Completion requirement
`planning`	Persist `_brief/report-spec.md` or the user-named equivalent, ask for explicit approval, and stop before implementation.
`design`	Produce the complete `Design Brief:` contract, including `design_identity` and a page archetype/layout contract for every page. Do not edit PBIR or call Fabric APIs.
`authoring`	Persist the requested PBIR/PBIP changes, validate each logical batch, then complete the selected preview and screenshot-review workflow required by the authoring reference. Do not publish.
`management`	Complete the requested Fabric report operation, including LRO polling and documented readback verification.

Rules

MUST

Select the narrowest mode that fully covers the current request.
Read references/<mode>.md end to end before the first command or file edit in that mode. When an already-loaded mode explicitly routes one narrow cross-mode operation to a named topic reference, treat that topic reference as the complete handoff; do not load the target mode's umbrella file unless the work expands beyond that operation.
In planning mode, also read references/planning-part-02.md before producing _brief/report-spec.md; it contains the required canonical design contract and approval checks.
Across a multi-turn task, retain a compact working state containing resolved workspace/item/model IDs, local and downloaded paths, and references already read. Reuse it in later turns unless the user explicitly requests a fresh query or the preceding operation invalidated a value.
Preserve every argument and safety boundary documented by the selected mode.
Announce and perform an explicit mode switch when the request crosses a boundary.
Use the powerbi-report-author CLI metadata and validation surfaces instead of guessing PBIR schemas, roles, formatting properties, selectors, or enum values.
Keep local edits local unless the user explicitly requests publishing.
Resolve Fabric workspace and item IDs by listing and filtering rather than guessing identifiers.
Produce the artifact the user requested; reading or summarizing a reference is not task completion.

PREFER

Infer facts already present in the prompt, semantic model, existing PBIP, or prior approved spec instead of asking again.
Load only the selected mode and its directly relevant topic references.
Reuse reference guidance already loaded in the current task. Open a new reference only when the requested operation or an observed mismatch requires it.
Preserve the user's existing project structure, schemas, host, operation, binding, and delivery target unless the selected mode explicitly requires a change.

AVOID

Acting from this dispatcher without reading the selected mode reference.
Reloading this dispatcher, a mode file, or a topic reference already read in the current task solely because the conversation advanced to a later turn.
Loading a retired sibling skill name; planning, design, authoring, and management are modes of this skill.
Editing PBIR or calling Fabric APIs in planning or design.
Publishing from authoring, or authoring PBIR content from management.
Bypassing the planning approval gate because the original request also asked to build or publish.

Complete Reference Index

Open every relevant reference directly from this index. Files named part-XX continue the named topic.

Authoring

Design

Mode Guides

Examples

User request	Mode
"Create a new executive report from this semantic model."	`planning`
"Design an operational page and choose the right charts."	`design`
"Add a KPI page to this PBIP, validate it, and take screenshots."	`authoring`
"Publish this local PBIP to my Fabric workspace and rebind it."	`management`

Route Compatibility

The merged skill preserves the four previous route surfaces. Treat the following phrases as explicit aliases for the corresponding mode:

Mode	Preserved route phrases
`planning`	create a report; build a report; create a dashboard; create a new report from scratch; create a report from a semantic model or dataset link; build a report for this model; make me a dashboard; plan then implement; walk me through creating a report
`design`	design Power BI report; make dashboard look professional; choose chart type; apply brand to report; redesign report; create design brief; Power BI report design archetype
`authoring`	edit PBIR; create Power BI report page; add visual to PBIP; format report visual; validate Power BI report; preview Power BI report; Power BI Desktop preview status; preview report in service; preview report in browser; screenshot report page; screenshot all report pages; list preview hosts; implement dashboard in PBIP; add dashboard visuals to report; implement an approved PBIP report spec; edit PBIR pages/visuals; edit a Power BI report
`management`	upload PBIR report definition; upload Power BI report; download PBIR definition; publish PBIR definition; publish Power BI report to Fabric; manage Power BI reports; list workspace reports

Files

ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer881 B
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references/design/interactivity.md

Interactivity & Storytelling

Core Principles

Shneiderman's mantra: Overview first → zoom and filter → details on demand.
Primary insight visible on load: The primary insight is visible without any interaction.
Every interaction must change something visible — if clicking does nothing perceptible, remove the interaction.
Never hide the primary insight behind a click — interactions reveal depth, not the headline.
State must be legible — the user can always see which filters are active and what scope they're viewing.
Match interaction budget to archetype — executives get 1–2 clicks; analysts get full drill-down.

Interaction Taxonomy

5 Clusters

Cluster	PBI Features	When to Use	Common Pitfall
Selection & Filtering	Slicers, visual filters, cross-filter, cross-highlight, drillthrough	Narrow scope to a subset	Invisible filter state; user doesn't know what's excluded
Navigation	Page navigator, buttons, bookmarks, drill-through back button	Multi-page reports; guided flow	No breadcrumb; user gets lost
Aggregation & Granularity	Drill up/down, hierarchy expand, matrix expand/collapse	Dimensional exploration	Drill without clear hierarchy labels
Annotation & Tooltip	Tooltip pages, visual headers, report page tooltips, info buttons	Contextual detail on hover/focus	Tooltip as only path to critical data
Provenance & Personalization	Personalize visuals, persistent filters, export, subscribe	Self-service for power users	Feature overload on casual users

Descriptive Titles & Information Scent

Guideline	Rule	Example
Top inch earns its space	Page title + 1 sentence or KPI row must convey the headline	"Revenue up 12% QoQ — driven by APAC expansion"
Page titles as questions	Frame what this page answers	"How is revenue trending by region?"
Headlines as answers	Visual titles state the finding, not the chart type	"APAC revenue grew 23% YoY" not "Revenue by Region"
Navigation labels smell of destination	Tab/button labels preview the content	"Regional Breakdown" not "Page 2"
KPI context	Always show comparison (vs target, vs prior period)	"12.3M vs 11.0M target (+11.8%)"

Cross-Filter Etiquette

Mode	Behavior	When to Use	When to Avoid
Highlight	Dims non-selected; retains context	Default for most visuals; shows proportion	When exact filtered values are needed
Filter	Removes non-selected data entirely	Drill-through source; when context confuses	When user needs to see the whole picture
None	No cross-interaction	Independent visuals (e.g., KPI cards, slicers)	Rarely — most visuals should respond

Rules:

Cards and KPI visuals: set to Filter (they must update to show the selected subset).
Context visuals (benchmark lines, reference charts): set to None (they provide fixed reference).
Default for charts: Highlight — it preserves context while focusing attention.
Configure via Edit Interactions in PBI Desktop for each source→target pair.

Power BI Feature Grounding

Feature	Purpose	Key Considerations
Drill-through	Navigate from summary to detail page with context	Always add a back button; limit to 1–2 drill-through fields
Tooltip pages	Rich hover detail replacing default tooltip	Keep small (320×240); load fast; don't put critical data here
Edit Interactions	Control cross-filter/highlight/none per visual pair	Review every pair; disable where interaction misleads
Sync Slicers	Keep slicers consistent across pages	Sync by field, not by visual; test edge cases
Page Navigator	Tab-style page switching	Label pages descriptively; limit to 5–7 visible tabs
Buttons	Custom navigation, bookmark triggers	Use for drill-through, bookmark, page nav; always show destination
Bookmarks	Saved states: filter + visibility + position	Use for narrative steps; don't exceed 8–10 bookmarks
Bookmark Navigator	Visual bookmark selector	Good for slideshow pattern; label each bookmark clearly
Filters Pane	Persistent filter panel	Hide for executive; show for analytical; pre-set defaults
Personalize Visuals	End-user can change measure/axis	Enable for analytical archetype only; confusing for casual users

Every multi-page report needs a deliberate navigation model. Pick one primary model per report and use the others only as secondary accents. Decide this at design time and record it in the brief.

Model	Best for	Strengths	Avoid when	Interaction budget
Page Navigator (auto tabs)	Standard multi-page reports; peer pages	Zero maintenance; always in sync with pages; clear "where am I"	>7 pages (tabs overflow); when pages aren't peers	Minimal–Moderate
Custom buttons (per-action)	Guided flows; branded/hub-and-spoke nav; a single deliberate action (Back, drill-through, apply/clear slicers, open URL, Q&A)	Full control of layout, label, icon, and action; supports non-navigation actions	You just need plain page switching (use Page Navigator instead)	Guided–Rich
Bookmark Navigator (auto tiles)	Slideshow/story steps; toggling states on one page (view A vs view B)	Auto-generates one tile per bookmark; good for narrative stepping	Navigating between pages (that's Page Navigator's job); >8 bookmarks	Guided

Rules

One primary model. Don't mix Page Navigator and a full custom button bar for the same purpose — pick one and keep it consistent across pages.
Drill-through always needs a Back button on the destination page (see the Drill-through row above).
Buttons cover actions navigators can't: Back, drill-through, apply/clear all slicers, Web URL, and Q&A. Reach for a button when the action isn't plain page switching.
Label for destination — button and tab labels must preview the content ("Regional Breakdown", not "Page 2"). See Descriptive Titles & Information Scent above.
Match the archetype budget — Executive: 1–2 nav elements, prefer Page Navigator; Narrative: Bookmark Navigator for steps; Analytical/Operational: buttons for drill-through and slicer actions.

Implementation: this skill only chooses the navigation model. For the concrete actionButton, pageNavigator, and bookmarkNavigator visuals and their visualLink action encodings, hand off to the authoring mode's button authoring guide.

Anti-patterns: see references/design/anti-patterns.md

Slicer Placement Decision Table

Placement	Layout	When to Use	Archetype
Horizontal filter strip	Top of page, full width, 48px tall	2–3 key filters that apply to entire page	Executive, Narrative
Vertical rail (left)	Left column, 200px wide, full height	Analytical pages with F-pattern layout	Analytical
Vertical rail (right)	Right column, 200–240px wide	When left column is the primary visual area	Analytical, Comparative
Collapsible panel	Bookmark-toggled visibility	Many filters that are rarely changed	Operational, Executive
Inline with visual	Adjacent to the visual it controls	When filter scope is local, not page-wide	Analytical (per-section)
Filter pane (built-in)	PBI native filter pane	Power users who prefer the standard UX	Analytical

Never: Place slicers in the top-left focal point (position x<200, y<100). That space belongs to the headline or primary KPI.

Interaction Complexity Budget

Complexity Level	Max Clicks to Insight	Features Allowed	Archetype
Minimal	0–1	Page load shows all; one optional slicer	Executive
Guided	2–3	Bookmark steps, page navigator, tooltips	Narrative
Moderate	3–5	Slicers, cross-filter, drill-through	Operational, Comparative
Rich	Unlimited	Full drill-down, personalize, export, cross-filter matrix	Analytical

Bookmark Design Rules

Rule	Description
Name descriptively	"Q4 Revenue by Region" not "Bookmark 1"
Capture minimal state	Only capture filters + visibility that change; leave layout unchanged
Test all transitions	Every bookmark → bookmark transition must produce a coherent view
Reset bookmark	Always include a "Reset to default" bookmark
Limit count	5–8 bookmarks max per report; beyond that, use pages instead
Group by purpose	Navigation bookmarks vs filter-state bookmarks — don't mix

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

What our scanner noticed· Low risk

Phrasing that asks for actions without confirmation
Instructions that use the network

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

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Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download powerbi-report-cli.zip