10 Must-Know Azure CLI Commands Every Developer Should Use

As cloud computing becomes increasingly central to modern software development, mastering the Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) can significantly enhance your workflow. The Azure CLI is a powerful tool that allows developers to manage Azure resources directly from the command line. Whether you’re deploying applications, managing resources, or automating tasks, knowing the right commands can save you time and effort. Below are ten essential Azure CLI commands that every developer should be familiar with.

1. az login

Before you can start managing resources, you need to authenticate your Azure account. The az login command opens a web page for you to enter your credentials. By logging in, you can seamlessly interact with your Azure subscription.

bash
az login

2. az group create

Resource groups are critical for organising Azure resources. This command creates a new resource group, helping you manage and monitor resources in Azure more effectively.

bash
az group create –name MyResourceGroup –location eastus

Key Options:

• --name: The name of the resource group.
• --location: The geographical location where the resource group will reside.

3. az vm create

Creating virtual machines is a fundamental task for developers. This command allows you to spin up a new VM quickly, specifying configurations such as the image, size, and administrative credentials.

bash
az vm create –resource-group MyResourceGroup –name MyVM –image UbuntuLTS –admin-username azureuser –generate-ssh-keys

Key Options:

• --image: The operating system image for the VM.
• --admin-username: The username for the admin account.
• --generate-ssh-keys: Automatically generates SSH keys for secure access.

4. az vm start

To start a virtual machine that has been previously stopped, use this command. It’s a straightforward way to get your resources up and running again.

bash
az vm start –resource-group MyResourceGroup –name MyVM

5. az vm stop

Conversely, you can stop a running virtual machine to save on costs or for maintenance. This command ensures that your resources are managed effectively.

bash
az vm stop –resource-group MyResourceGroup –name MyVM

6. az storage account create

Storage accounts are essential for any application that requires data persistence. This command creates a new Azure Storage account.

bash
az storage account create –name mystorageaccount –resource-group MyResourceGroup –location eastus –sku Standard_LRS

Key Options:

• --name: A unique name for the storage account.
• --sku: Specifies the type of storage account (e.g., Standard, Premium).

7. az webapp create

If you’re deploying a web application, this command allows you to create a new Azure Web App. It’s an integral part of developing cloud-native applications.

bash
az webapp create –resource-group MyResourceGroup –plan MyAppServicePlan –name MyWebApp

Key Options:

• --plan: The App Service plan under which the web app is created.

8. az appservice plan create

To host web applications, you need an App Service plan. This command creates a new App Service plan in the specified resource group.

bash
az appservice plan create –name MyAppServicePlan –resource-group MyResourceGroup –sku FREE

Key Options:

• --sku: Defines the pricing tier for the App Service plan.

9. az list

To get an overview of the resources in a resource group, use the az list command. This command returns a list of all resources, making it easier to manage and keep track of what you’ve deployed.

bash
az resource list –resource-group MyResourceGroup

10. az logout

When you finish your tasks, it’s good practice to log out of your Azure account, especially if you are working on a shared machine. This command logs you out of the Azure CLI and secures your account.

bash
az logout

Conclusion

The Azure CLI is an indispensable tool for developers working with Azure resources. By mastering these ten commands, you can streamline your workflow, improve productivity, and manage resources efficiently. As you become more familiar with the Azure CLI, you’ll discover even more commands and options that can help tailor your cloud experience. Getting comfortable with the command line can enhance your capabilities and bring you one step closer to becoming an Azure expert.