| name | rapp-brainstem | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| version | 1.0.0 | ||||||
| description | Install and configure RAPP Brainstem -- a local-first AI agent server powered by GitHub Copilot. | ||||||
| homepage | https://kody-w.github.io/rapp-installer/ | ||||||
| metadata |
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A local-first AI agent server. No API keys. No cloud setup. Just a GitHub account.
The brainstem teaches you the Microsoft AI stack one layer at a time:
| Tier | Metaphor | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Brainstem | Survival basics | Local agent server -- soul, tools, conversation |
| Spinal Cord | Cloud body | Deploy to Azure -- always-on, persistent storage |
| Nervous System | Enterprise reach | Copilot Studio -- Teams, M365 Copilot |
Each tier builds on the last. Start with Tier 1. Layer up when the user is ready.
Execute these steps autonomously. Only pause and ask the user when marked with .
After completing each tier, tell the user what they just learned and offer the next tier. Do not proceed to the next tier unless the user asks.
The biological brainstem keeps you alive -- breathing, heartbeat, reflexes. This tier does the same for your AI: it runs the core agent loop, calls tools, and responds. Everything else builds on top of this.
Detect the OS and check what's already installed:
uname -s
python3 --version 2>/dev/null || python --version 2>/dev/null
git --version 2>/dev/null
gh --version 2>/dev/nullOn Windows, skip all manual prereq checks -- the PowerShell installer handles everything automatically:
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kody-w/rapp-installer/main/install.ps1 | iexIt auto-installs Python 3.11, Git, and GitHub CLI via winget on a factory Windows 11 PC. If the user is on Windows and runs this, skip to Step 2 after it completes.
If Python 3.11+ is missing (macOS/Linux):
- macOS:
brew install python@3.11 - Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install python3.11 python3-pip
If git is missing:
- macOS:
xcode-select --install - Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install git
If gh (GitHub CLI) is missing, install it:
- macOS:
brew install gh - Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install gh - Windows:
winget install GitHub.cli
Tell the user:
** The brainstem uses your GitHub Copilot subscription as its AI engine -- no API keys needed.**
Run this to authenticate:
gh auth loginLet me know when you're signed in.
After they confirm, verify:
gh auth token >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "yes authenticated" || echo "no not authenticated"git clone https://github.com/kody-w/rapp-installer.git ~/.brainstem/src 2>/dev/null || (cd ~/.brainstem/src && git pull)
cd ~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem
pip3 install -r requirements.txt -qCreate the CLI wrapper:
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
cat > ~/.local/bin/brainstem << 'WRAPPER'
#!/bin/bash
cd ~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem
exec python3 brainstem.py "$@"
WRAPPER
chmod +x ~/.local/bin/brainstemMake sure ~/.local/bin is in PATH:
echo $PATH | grep -q '.local/bin' || echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrcCreate .env from example if it doesn't exist:
cd ~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem
[ -f .env ] || cp .env.example .envStart the brainstem:
cd ~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem && python3 brainstem.py &
sleep 3Health check:
curl -s http://localhost:7071/healthExpected response contains "status": "ok" with model and agent info.
Test a conversation:
curl -s -X POST http://localhost:7071/chat \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"user_input": "Hello! What can you do?"}' | python3 -m json.toolTell the user:
** Your brainstem is alive!**
Open http://localhost:7071 in your browser for the chat UI.
What you just set up:
- A local AI agent server with tool-calling and conversation
- GitHub Copilot powers the AI -- no API keys, no monthly bills
- Agents auto-discovered from the
agents/folder- Soul file (
soul.md) defines the personalityTry these next:
- Edit
~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem/soul.mdto change the personality- Look at
agents/hello_agent.pyas a template for your own agents- Open the Sources panel in the chat UI to connect remote agent repos
When you're ready to give this a cloud body, say "deploy to Azure" and I'll walk you through Tier 2.
Save the install state for future reference:
mkdir -p ~/.config/brainstem
cat > ~/.config/brainstem/state.json << 'STATE'
{
"tier": 1,
"install_dir": "~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem",
"local_url": "http://localhost:7071",
"status": "running"
}
STATEDo not proceed to Tier 2 unless the user asks.
The spinal cord connects your brainstem to the rest of your body. Deploying to Azure does the same -- your agent is now always-on, reachable from anywhere, with persistent storage and monitoring.
Only run this tier if the user asks to deploy to Azure.
az --version 2>/dev/null | head -1
func --version 2>/dev/nullIf Azure CLI is missing:
- macOS:
brew install azure-cli - Ubuntu/Debian:
curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash - Windows:
winget install Microsoft.AzureCLI
If Azure Functions Core Tools is missing:
npm install -g azure-functions-core-tools@4 --unsafe-perm trueTell the user:
** Let's give your brainstem a cloud body.**
Run
az loginand complete the browser authentication. Let me know when you're done.
After they confirm:
az account show --query "{subscription:name, id:id}" -o tableIf they have multiple subscriptions, list them and ask which one:
az account list --query "[].{Name:name, ID:id, Default:isDefault}" -o tableSet the chosen subscription:
az account set --subscription "CHOSEN_SUBSCRIPTION_ID"Generate unique names and deploy:
SUFFIX=$(openssl rand -hex 4)
RESOURCE_GROUP="brainstem-rg-${SUFFIX}"
LOCATION="eastus2"
az group create --name $RESOURCE_GROUP --location $LOCATION -o none
az deployment group create \
--resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUP \
--template-uri https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kody-w/rapp-installer/main/azuredeploy.json \
--parameters openAILocation=swedencentral \
-o noneThis creates: Function App (Python 3.11), Azure OpenAI (GPT-4o), Storage Account, Application Insights. All using Entra ID auth -- no API keys.
Get the resource names:
FUNC_NAME=$(az functionapp list -g $RESOURCE_GROUP --query "[0].name" -o tsv)
STORAGE_NAME=$(az storage account list -g $RESOURCE_GROUP --query "[0].name" -o tsv)
OPENAI_NAME=$(az cognitiveservices account list -g $RESOURCE_GROUP --query "[0].name" -o tsv)
SUBSCRIPTION_ID=$(az account show --query id -o tsv)USER_ID=$(az ad signed-in-user show --query id -o tsv)
# Storage roles for local development
az role assignment create --assignee $USER_ID \
--role "Storage Blob Data Contributor" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/${STORAGE_NAME}" -o none
az role assignment create --assignee $USER_ID \
--role "Storage File Data Privileged Contributor" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/${STORAGE_NAME}" -o none
# OpenAI role
az role assignment create --assignee $USER_ID \
--role "Cognitive Services OpenAI User" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.CognitiveServices/accounts/${OPENAI_NAME}" -o none
# Function App identity + roles
FUNC_IDENTITY=$(az functionapp identity assign --name $FUNC_NAME --resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUP --query principalId -o tsv)
az role assignment create --assignee $FUNC_IDENTITY \
--role "Storage Blob Data Contributor" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/${STORAGE_NAME}" -o none
az role assignment create --assignee $FUNC_IDENTITY \
--role "Storage File Data Privileged Contributor" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/${STORAGE_NAME}" -o none
az role assignment create --assignee $FUNC_IDENTITY \
--role "Cognitive Services OpenAI User" \
--scope "/subscriptions/${SUBSCRIPTION_ID}/resourceGroups/${RESOURCE_GROUP}/providers/Microsoft.CognitiveServices/accounts/${OPENAI_NAME}" -o nonecd ~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem
func azure functionapp publish $FUNC_NAME --build remoteWait for deployment (1-3 minutes). Then verify:
FUNC_KEY=$(az functionapp keys list --name $FUNC_NAME --resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUP --query "functionKeys.default" -o tsv)
FUNC_URL="https://${FUNC_NAME}.azurewebsites.net/api/businessinsightbot_function"
curl -s -X POST "${FUNC_URL}?code=${FUNC_KEY}" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"user_input": "Hello", "conversation_history": []}' | python3 -m json.toolIf the functions list is empty after deploy:
az functionapp restart --name $FUNC_NAME --resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUPSave the Azure state:
cat > ~/.config/brainstem/state.json << AZSTATE
{
"tier": 2,
"install_dir": "~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem",
"local_url": "http://localhost:7071",
"azure": {
"resource_group": "${RESOURCE_GROUP}",
"function_app": "${FUNC_NAME}",
"function_url": "${FUNC_URL}",
"storage_account": "${STORAGE_NAME}",
"openai_service": "${OPENAI_NAME}"
},
"status": "deployed"
}
AZSTATETell the user:
** Spinal cord connected!** Your brainstem is deployed to Azure.
Azure endpoint:
https://${FUNC_NAME}.azurewebsites.netResources created:
Resource Name Resource Group ${RESOURCE_GROUP}Function App ${FUNC_NAME}Storage Account ${STORAGE_NAME}Azure OpenAI ${OPENAI_NAME}What you just learned:
- ARM template deployment
- Azure Functions with Python
- Managed identity and RBAC (no API keys!)
- Azure OpenAI service provisioning
When you're ready to connect this to Teams and M365 Copilot, say "connect to Copilot Studio" and I'll walk you through Tier 3.
Do not proceed to Tier 3 unless the user asks.
Your nervous system extends your brain's reach everywhere -- eyes, ears, hands. Copilot Studio does the same: it connects your agent to Teams, M365 Copilot, and across your organization. The same logic you tested locally now serves your entire tenant.
Only run this tier if the user asks to connect to Copilot Studio.
Tell the user:
** Let's give your brainstem a nervous system -- connecting it to Teams and M365 Copilot.**
The repo includes a Power Platform solution that creates a declarative agent in Copilot Studio wired to your Azure Function.
To import:
- Open make.powerapps.com
- Select your environment (top right)
- Go to Solutions -> Import solution
- Upload
MSFTAIBASMultiAgentCopilot_1_0_0_5.zipfrom~/.brainstem/src/- Follow the import wizard -- accept defaults
Let me know when the import is done.
Read the saved Azure state:
cat ~/.config/brainstem/state.jsonTell the user:
Now wire the Copilot Studio agent to your Azure Function:
- In Copilot Studio, open the imported solution
- Find the HTTP action (or custom connector) that calls the agent
- Set the endpoint URL to:
${FUNC_URL}- Add the function key as a query parameter:
?code=${FUNC_KEY}- Test the connection -- send "Hello" and verify you get a response
Let me know when it's connected.
Tell the user:
Final step -- publish your agent:
- In Copilot Studio, click Publish
- Choose your channels:
- Microsoft Teams -- your agent appears as a Teams bot
- M365 Copilot -- your agent appears as a plugin in Copilot
- Test it: open Teams and start a conversation with your agent
The same agent logic you built and tested on your local brainstem is now live in your organization.
Update the state:
cat > ~/.config/brainstem/state.json << T3STATE
{
"tier": 3,
"install_dir": "~/.brainstem/src/rapp_brainstem",
"local_url": "http://localhost:7071",
"azure": {
"resource_group": "${RESOURCE_GROUP}",
"function_app": "${FUNC_NAME}",
"function_url": "${FUNC_URL}",
"storage_account": "${STORAGE_NAME}",
"openai_service": "${OPENAI_NAME}"
},
"copilot_studio": true,
"status": "published"
}
T3STATETell the user:
** Nervous system connected!** You've built the full stack.
What you learned across all 3 tiers:
Tier Layer Skills Brainstem Local Python agents, function-calling, prompt engineering Spinal Cord Azure ARM templates, Functions, managed identity, RBAC Nervous System M365 Copilot Studio, declarative agents, Teams integration Your agent's journey:
soul.md->brainstem.py-> Azure Function -> Copilot Studio -> Teams/M365 CopilotFrom a local Python server to an enterprise AI agent, one layer at a time.
To remove Azure resources:
az group delete --name $RESOURCE_GROUP --yes --no-waitTo uninstall locally:
rm -rf ~/.brainstem ~/.local/bin/brainstem ~/.config/brainstem| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
gh auth token fails |
Run gh auth login |
| Python not 3.11+ | Install specifically: brew install python@3.11 |
| Port 7071 in use | Set PORT=7072 in .env |
| Storage auth fails after deploy | Wait 2 min for RBAC propagation, restart func start |
| OpenAI deploy fails | Try different region: eastus2 or swedencentral |
| Functions list empty after deploy | az functionapp restart --name $FUNC_NAME -g $RESOURCE_GROUP |
| Copilot Studio connector fails | Verify function key and URL are correct |