fix: Consistent Date Formatting Across Product, HR, and GroupChat Responses Based on User Locale

src/backend/kernel_agents/group_chat_manager.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from context.cosmos_memory_kernel import CosmosMemoryContext
 from event_utils import track_event_if_configured
 from kernel_agents.agent_base import BaseAgent
+from utils_date import format_date_for_user
 from models.messages_kernel import (ActionRequest, AgentMessage, AgentType,
                                     HumanFeedback, HumanFeedbackStatus, InputTask,
                                     Plan, Step, StepStatus)
@@ -222,7 +223,9 @@ class Step(BaseDataModel):
             received_human_feedback_on_step = ""
 
         # Provide generic context to the model
-        general_information = f"Today's date is {datetime.now().date()}."
+        current_date = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+        formatted_date = format_date_for_user(current_date)
+        general_information = f"Today's date is {formatted_date}."
 
         # Get the general background information provided by the user in regards to the overall plan (not the steps) to add as context.
         plan = await self._memory_store.get_plan_by_session(

src/backend/kernel_tools/hr_tools.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from models.messages_kernel import AgentType
 import json
 from typing import get_type_hints
+from utils_date import format_date_for_user
 
 
 class HrTools:
@@ -15,12 +16,15 @@ class HrTools:
     @staticmethod
     @kernel_function(description="Schedule an orientation session for a new employee.")
     async def schedule_orientation_session(employee_name: str, date: str) -> str:
+        formatted_date = format_date_for_user(date)
+
         return (
             f"##### Orientation Session Scheduled\n"
             f"**Employee Name:** {employee_name}\n"
-            f"**Date:** {date}\n\n"
+            f"**Date:** {formatted_date}\n\n"
             f"Your orientation session has been successfully scheduled. "
             f"Please mark your calendar and be prepared for an informative session.\n"
+            f"AGENT SUMMARY: I scheduled the orientation session for {employee_name} on {formatted_date}, as part of her onboarding process.\n"
             f"{HrTools.formatting_instructions}"
         )
 

src/backend/kernel_tools/product_tools.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 from models.messages_kernel import AgentType
 import json
 from typing import get_type_hints
+from utils_date import format_date_for_user
 
 
 class ProductTools:
@@ -23,10 +24,11 @@ class ProductTools:
     async def add_mobile_extras_pack(new_extras_pack_name: str, start_date: str) -> str:
         """Add an extras pack/new product to the mobile plan for the customer. For example, adding a roaming plan to their service. The arguments should include the new_extras_pack_name and the start_date as strings. You must provide the exact plan name, as found using the get_product_info() function."""
         formatting_instructions = "Instructions: returning the output of this function call verbatim to the user in markdown. Then write AGENT SUMMARY: and then include a summary of what you did."
+        formatted_date = format_date_for_user(start_date)
         analysis = (
             f"# Request to Add Extras Pack to Mobile Plan\n"
             f"## New Plan:\n{new_extras_pack_name}\n"
-            f"## Start Date:\n{start_date}\n\n"
+            f"## Start Date:\n{formatted_date}\n\n"
             f"These changes have been completed and should be reflected in your app in 5-10 minutes."
             f"\n\n{formatting_instructions}"
         )
@@ -81,7 +83,8 @@ async def get_billing_date() -> str:
         now = datetime.now()
         start_of_month = datetime(now.year, now.month, 1)
         start_of_month_string = start_of_month.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
-        return f"## Billing Date\nYour most recent billing date was **{start_of_month_string}**."
+        formatted_date = format_date_for_user(start_of_month_string)
+        return f"## Billing Date\nYour most recent billing date was **{formatted_date}**."
 
     @staticmethod
     @kernel_function(
@@ -130,7 +133,8 @@ async def update_product_price(product_name: str, price: float) -> str:
     @kernel_function(description="Schedule a product launch event on a specific date.")
     async def schedule_product_launch(product_name: str, launch_date: str) -> str:
         """Schedule a product launch on a specific date."""
-        message = f"## Product Launch Scheduled\nProduct **'{product_name}'** launch scheduled on **{launch_date}**."
+        formatted_date = format_date_for_user(launch_date)
+        message = f"## Product Launch Scheduled\nProduct **'{product_name}'** launch scheduled on **{formatted_date}**."
 
         return message
 

src/backend/utils_date.py

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+import locale
+from datetime import datetime
+import logging
+from typing import Optional
+
+
+def format_date_for_user(date_str: str, user_locale: Optional[str] = None) -> str:
+    """
+    Format date based on user's desktop locale preference.
+
+    Args:
+        date_str (str): Date in ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD).
+        user_locale (str, optional): User's locale string, e.g., 'en_US', 'en_GB'.
+
+    Returns:
+        str: Formatted date respecting locale or raw date if formatting fails.
+    """
+    try:
+        date_obj = datetime.strptime(date_str, "%Y-%m-%d")
+        locale.setlocale(locale.LC_TIME, user_locale or '')
+        return date_obj.strftime("%B %d, %Y")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.warning(f"Date formatting failed for '{date_str}': {e}")
+        return date_str