Skip to content

user-guide.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
182 lines (130 loc) · 7.3 KB

user-guide.md

File metadata and controls

182 lines (130 loc) · 7.3 KB

CoPilots Launchpad -- User Guide

A step-by-step onboarding guide for first-time users. Setup takes about 5 minutes.

What is it?

CoPilots Launchpad is a desktop app that lets you launch multiple Microsoft 365 test accounts with a single click. Click an account card, the browser opens, logs in automatically, and lands on the right page.

Repo: https://github.com/nikhilsi/copilots-launchpad

Step 1: Download & Install

macOS

  1. Go to https://github.com/nikhilsi/copilots-launchpad/releases/latest
  2. Download the .dmg file
  3. Open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications
  4. First launch: right-click the app > Open (macOS may warn about unidentified developer the first time)

Windows

  1. Go to https://github.com/nikhilsi/copilots-launchpad/releases/latest
  2. Download the .exe file
  3. Run the installer -- Next, Next, Finish. No admin rights needed.
  4. Windows SmartScreen: The installer is signed with a Microsoft-verified certificate (Azure Trusted Signing). If you still see a SmartScreen prompt on early releases, click "More info" then "Run anyway" -- reputation builds over time with signed downloads.

Step 2: Check Destinations

The app comes with one destination pre-configured:

  • Copilot Chat -- https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat

If you need additional destinations (e.g., Admin Center):

  1. Open the app -- it starts on the Launcher
  2. Click the gear icon (top right) to go to Settings
  3. Click the Destinations tab
  4. Click + Add Destination
  5. Enter:
    • Label: e.g., Admin Center
    • URL: e.g., https://admin.microsoft.com
  6. Click Add Destination

Step 3: Add Accounts

You have two options: manual (one at a time) or CSV import (bulk).

Option A: Manual

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts tab
  2. Click + Add Account
  3. Fill in:
    • Friendly Label: A name you'll recognize (e.g., "Test Premium")
    • Username / Email: The M365 login email
    • Password: The account password
    • Group: A category name (e.g., "Admins", "Testers") -- accounts are grouped by this on the Launcher
    • Destination: Select from the dropdown (e.g., "Copilot Chat")
    • Color: Pick a color for the group accent
    • Notes: Optional
  4. Click Add Account

Option B: CSV Import (recommended for many accounts)

  1. Download the sample CSV template or prepare your own in a spreadsheet app (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.) with these columns:

    Column Required? Notes
    label Yes Friendly name (e.g., "Test Premium")
    username Yes M365 email address
    password Yes Account password
    destination No Must match a destination label you already added (e.g., "Copilot Chat"). If omitted, you pick a default during import.
    group No Category name (e.g., "Admins"). If omitted, defaults to "Default" (editable during import).
    color No Hex color like #6366F1. If omitted, you pick during import.
    notes No Any extra context

    Example CSV (minimum -- 3 columns):

    label,username,password
Test Premium,alice@contoso.onmicrosoft.com,P@ssword1
Test Basic,bob@contoso.onmicrosoft.com,P@ssword2
Global Admin,admin@contoso.onmicrosoft.com,P@ssword3

    Example CSV (all columns):

    label,username,password,destination,group,color,notes
Test Premium,alice@contoso.onmicrosoft.com,P@ss1,Copilot Chat,Test,#10B981,Full license
Global Admin,admin@contoso.onmicrosoft.com,P@ss2,Copilot Chat,Admins,#6366F1,Tenant admin

    Tips:

    • Column order doesn't matter -- the app matches by header name
    • Extra columns are ignored
    • Save as .csv (UTF-8 encoding)

  2. In the app: Settings > Accounts > click Import

  3. Select your CSV file

  4. The Import Preview screen appears:

    • Defaults bar at the top: pick a destination, group, and color for any rows missing those values
    • Preview table shows each row with a status:
      • Ready -- will be imported (checked by default)
      • Exists -- username already in the app (disabled -- delete the existing account first if you need to update it)
      • Invalid -- missing required field (disabled)
    • Uncheck any rows you want to skip

  5. Click Import N accounts

  6. You'll see a success banner and be taken back to Settings

Step 4: Launch!

  1. Click Back to Launcher (top left of Settings)
  2. You'll see your accounts organized in groups with colored cards
  3. Click any card -- the browser opens, logs in, and lands on your destination
  4. The status dot on the card turns yellow (launching) then green (done)
  5. The browser stays open as a normal window -- the app just gets you in

Switching Browsers

The app supports Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

  1. Settings > General tab
  2. Click the browser you want
  3. Each browser maintains separate sessions, so switching browsers requires a fresh login

Default: Chrome on macOS, Edge on Windows.

CSV Export (Backup)

To export your accounts:

  1. Settings > Accounts > click Export
  2. Choose whether to Include passwords (warning: exports in plaintext)
  3. A CSV file downloads with all your accounts

Other Features

  • Search: Use the search bar on the Launcher to filter by name, email, group, or destination
  • Dark mode: Click the theme icons (sun / moon / monitor) in the top right
  • System tray: Closing the window doesn't quit the app -- it minimizes to the system tray. Click the tray icon to reopen. Right-click the tray icon > Quit to actually exit.
  • Session persistence: After the first login, the browser remembers the session. Next launch may skip login entirely.
  • Auto-update: The app checks for updates on launch. When an update is available, a banner appears at the top -- click "Download" then "Restart & Update." You can also check manually via the tray icon > "Check for Updates..."
  • In-app help: Settings > Help tab has a quick start guide, CSV reference, and troubleshooting tips.
  • Send logs: Having issues? Go to Settings > General > "Send Logs via Email" to email recent app logs for debugging.

Important Notes

  • This app is designed for test tenants with MFA disabled. It does not handle MFA prompts.
  • Passwords are encrypted on your machine using the OS keychain (macOS Keychain / Windows DPAPI). They never leave your device unless you explicitly export them.
  • Each account gets its own isolated browser profile -- accounts don't interfere with each other.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
Windows says "Unverified publisher" The app is signed, but SmartScreen reputation builds over time. Click "More info" then "Run anyway."
macOS says "unidentified developer" Right-click the app > Open (first time only)
macOS asks for Automation permission System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation > allow the app
Browser doesn't open Make sure Chrome or Edge is installed
Login gets stuck The account may have MFA enabled -- this app only works with MFA disabled
Card shows red dot An error occurred during login -- hover over the dot for details
Need to share logs Settings > General > "Send Logs via Email" -- opens your email client with recent logs pre-filled