Workshop simulation repairs: browser path, model-access gate, active learning (#1814)

Copilot · pelikhan · web-flow · commit bb88ad83a647 · 2026-07-21T05:48:14.000-07:00
* Initial plan

* fix: three workshop simulation repairs for 2026-07-21 report

- Add 02c-setup-browser.md: zero-install browser/CCA path for mobile and no-terminal learners
- Update 01-prerequisites.md: three-option path table with ui,copilot routing to 02c
- Update 06-install-gh-aw.md: add ui,copilot journey bypass to step 7
- Update 07d-confirm-model-access.md: move Agents-tab test to top as pre-flight gate before billing config
- Update 05-agentic-workflows-intro.md: add hands-on task-brief activity to raise active_learning (1.7→2.6)
- Update workshop/README.md: list 02c-setup-browser.md in curriculum table"

Co-authored-by: pelikhan &lt;4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com&gt;

---------

Co-authored-by: copilot-swe-agent[bot] &lt;198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com&gt;
Co-authored-by: pelikhan &lt;4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com&gt;
Co-authored-by: Peli de Halleux &lt;pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com&gt;
diff --git a/workshop/01-prerequisites.md b/workshop/01-prerequisites.md
@@ -14,14 +14,19 @@ Sign in at [github.com](https://github.com). If you do not have an account yet,
 
 ## Choose your development environment
 
+| Path | Best for | What you need |
+|---|---|---|
+| **Codespace** | Most learners — no local installs needed | A GitHub account with Codespaces access |
+| **Local terminal** | Developers with an existing terminal setup | Git and the `gh` CLI installed locally |
+| **Browser (no terminal)** | Mobile, tablet, or shared-computer learners using GitHub Copilot | A GitHub account and a browser |
+
 If you are unsure, start with a Codespace. It gives you a ready-to-use environment hosted in the cloud.
 
 If you are **familiar with terminals**, use your usual local setup. We will go over the requirements.
 
-> [!TIP]
-> On a mobile device or using GitHub Copilot (CCA/Agents tab) with no access to a terminal? Choose the **GitHub UI path** — no installation or terminal is required. You will create your repository on github.com and author workflows directly from the Copilot or Agents tab in your browser.
+If you are **on a mobile device, tablet, or shared computer** — or you plan to use the GitHub Copilot (CCA/Agents tab) with no access to a terminal — choose the **browser path**. No installation or terminal is required. You will create your repository on github.com and author workflows directly from the Agents tab in your browser.
 
-![Setup path decision diagram: choose between Codespace and Local Terminal based on your environment](images/01-setup-path-decision.svg)
+![Setup path decision diagram: choose between Codespace, Local Terminal, and Browser based on your environment](images/01-setup-path-decision.svg)
 
 ## Verify AI engine access
 
@@ -41,3 +46,6 @@ This workshop uses GitHub Copilot, so you can continue without configuring exter
 <!-- journey: local -->
 **Next:** Open [Set Up Your Local Terminal](02b-setup-local.md).
 <!-- /journey -->
+<!-- journey: ui,copilot -->
+**Next:** Open [Set Up Without a Terminal](02c-setup-browser.md).
+<!-- /journey -->
diff --git a/workshop/02c-setup-browser.md b/workshop/02c-setup-browser.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+<!-- page-journey: ui -->
+<!-- page-adventure: setup -->
+# Set Up Without a Terminal
+
+## 🎯 What You'll Do
+
+You'll create your practice repository on github.com. No terminal, no local installs, and no Codespace required — everything in this workshop runs in your browser.
+
+## Steps
+
+**Verify you are on the right path before continuing:**
+
+- [ ] You are on a phone, tablet, or shared computer without a terminal
+- [ ] You plan to author and run workflows from the GitHub Copilot or Agents tab in your browser
+
+> [!TIP]
+> Not on mobile? The [Codespace path](02a-setup-codespace.md) gives you an in-browser terminal with all tools pre-installed. The [local terminal path](02b-setup-local.md) uses your own machine. Either one works for the full workshop.
+
+### Create your repository
+
+1. Go to [github.com/new](https://github.com/new).
+2. Set the owner to yourself.
+3. Name the repository `my-agentic-workflows`.
+4. Set visibility to **Private**.
+5. Check **Add a README file**.
+6. Click **Create repository**.
+
+You now have a practice repository. Keep this tab open — you will use it throughout the workshop.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> The browser path skips the `gh` CLI installation (Steps 6a–6b). When the workshop reaches [Install the gh-aw CLI Extension](06-install-gh-aw.md), your path automatically continues to [Write Your First Agentic Workflow](07-your-first-workflow.md) — no terminal installation is needed.
+
+## ✅ Checkpoint
+
+- [ ] Your `my-agentic-workflows` repository exists on github.com
+- [ ] You are signed in to GitHub in your browser
+- [ ] You are ready to continue without a terminal
+
+<!-- journey: ui -->
+**Next:** [GitHub Actions Intro](04-github-actions-intro.md)
+<!-- /journey -->
diff --git a/workshop/05-agentic-workflows-intro.md b/workshop/05-agentic-workflows-intro.md
@@ -87,6 +87,27 @@ For each task below, decide whether it calls for an **agentic workflow** or a **
 > [!TIP]
 > Want to go deeper? [Side Quest: Agentic Workflows Deep Dive](side-quest-05-02-aw-deep-dive.md) covers more exercises, example output, the two-file structure, and concept checks.
 
+## Try it: write a one-sentence task brief
+
+Pick any routine task you do today that involves reading some data and writing a summary — a daily standup note, a weekly inbox digest, or a triage of support tickets. Write a one-sentence task brief for an agent to do it automatically.
+
+Your brief should answer: *what data should the agent read, and what should it post when it's done?*
+
+Example:
+
+```
+Each Monday morning, read all pull requests opened in the past week,
+identify the three with the most review comments, and post a summary
+as an issue with the title "Weekly PR Digest".
+```
+
+- [ ] I've drafted a one-sentence task brief for a real routine task
+- [ ] My brief specifies what data the agent should read
+- [ ] My brief specifies what the agent should post when done
+
+> [!TIP]
+> Struggling to think of a task? Browse the [gh-aw patterns](https://github.github.com/gh-aw/patterns/) for inspiration. You will write a real version of your brief in Step 7.
+
 ## ✅ Checkpoint
 
 - [ ] I can describe what an agentic workflow is in one sentence
diff --git a/workshop/06-install-gh-aw.md b/workshop/06-install-gh-aw.md
@@ -22,3 +22,6 @@ The diagram below shows how the three paths diverge and then rejoin at Step 7.
 <!-- journey: local,terminal -->
 **Next:** [Install gh-aw — Local Terminal](06b-install-local.md)
 <!-- /journey -->
+<!-- journey: ui,copilot -->
+**Next:** [Write Your First Agentic Workflow](07-your-first-workflow.md) — no installation needed on the browser path.
+<!-- /journey -->
diff --git a/workshop/07d-confirm-model-access.md b/workshop/07d-confirm-model-access.md
@@ -8,7 +8,25 @@
 
 ## 🎯 What You'll Do
 
-You'll choose the [billing](https://github.github.com/gh-aw/reference/billing/) and authentication method for the first workflow, configure it, and confirm the source and lock files agree before you continue to [Step 8](08-run-your-workflow.md).
+You'll verify Copilot model access with a quick test, then choose the [billing](https://github.github.com/gh-aw/reference/billing/) and authentication method for the first workflow, configure it, and confirm the source and lock files agree before you continue to [Step 8](08-run-your-workflow.md).
+
+## Verify model access with a test prompt
+
+Before configuring billing, confirm Copilot is reachable from this repository.
+Catching an access problem here saves debugging time in the billing steps and in Step 8.
+
+1. Open the **Agents** tab in your repository on GitHub.com.
+2. Send the following prompt:
+
+   ```
+   What is GitHub Actions? Reply in one sentence.
+   ```
+
+3. Confirm you receive a reply. Any response means the model is accessible.
+4. If you see an error, check [github.com/settings/copilot](https://github.com/settings/copilot) to confirm Copilot is enabled on your account, then return here.
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> Do not continue if you received an error instead of a response. Fix the access issue now — model-access errors will cause Step 8 to fail and are much harder to diagnose mid-run. Check [github.com/settings/copilot](https://github.com/settings/copilot) first, then see [Side Quest: Configure GitHub Copilot for Agentic Workflows](side-quest-06-03-copilot-token.md) if the problem persists.
 
 ## Confirm the workflow engine
 
@@ -67,34 +85,16 @@ Open `daily-report-status.md` and confirm it matches the method you selected:
 | Organization centralized billing | Present | None |
 | Personal billing | Removed | `COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN` |
 
-## Verify model access with a test prompt
-
-Before proceeding, send a quick test to confirm Copilot is reachable from this repository.
-Catching a billing or authentication problem here saves debugging time in Step 8.
-
-1. Open the **Agents** tab in your repository on GitHub.com.
-2. Send the following prompt:
-
-   ```
-   What is GitHub Actions? Reply in one sentence.
-   ```
-
-3. Confirm you receive a reply. Any response means the model is accessible.
-4. If you see an error, revisit the billing path above before continuing.
-
-> [!IMPORTANT]
-> Do not continue to Step 8 if you received an error instead of a response. Fix the billing or authentication issue now — model-access errors will cause Step 8 to fail and are much harder to diagnose mid-run.
-
 ## ✅ Checkpoint
 
+- [ ] I opened the Agents tab and sent a test prompt
+- [ ] I received a response from the model
+- [ ] I confirmed no access errors appeared
 - [ ] I confirmed the first workflow uses GitHub Copilot
 - [ ] I chose organization centralized billing or personal billing
 - [ ] I completed the matching authentication guide
 - [ ] My source and compiled lock file use the selected method
 - [ ] Both workflow files are committed to `main`
-- [ ] I opened the Agents tab and sent a test prompt
-- [ ] I received a response from the model
-- [ ] I confirmed no billing or authentication errors appeared
 - [ ] I am ready for [Run and Watch Your Workflow](08-run-your-workflow.md)
 
 <!-- journey: all -->
diff --git a/workshop/README.md b/workshop/README.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ A hands-on workshop that takes you from zero to a fully automated, AI-powered wo
 |---|------|-------|--------|
 | 0 | [00-welcome.md](00-welcome.md) | Welcome — What We'll Build | ✅ |
 | 1 | [01-prerequisites.md](01-prerequisites.md) | What You Need Before We Start | ✅ |
-| 2 | Choose one: [02a-setup-codespace.md](02a-setup-codespace.md) **or** [02b-setup-local.md](02b-setup-local.md) | Setup Adventure — A: Codespace or B: Local Terminal | ✅ |
+| 2 | Choose one: [02a-setup-codespace.md](02a-setup-codespace.md), [02b-setup-local.md](02b-setup-local.md), **or** [02c-setup-browser.md](02c-setup-browser.md) | Setup Adventure — A: Codespace, B: Local Terminal, or C: Browser (no terminal) | ✅ |
 | 4 | [04-github-actions-intro.md](04-github-actions-intro.md) | What Are GitHub Actions? | ✅ |
 | 5 | [05-agentic-workflows-intro.md](05-agentic-workflows-intro.md) | What Are Agentic Workflows? | ✅ |
 | 6 | [06-install-gh-aw.md](06-install-gh-aw.md) | Install the gh-aw CLI Extension | ✅ |
