Download Azure CLI
If you are looking for a fast and easy way to create and manage Azure resources, you might want to try the Azure command-line interface (Azure CLI). In this article, you will learn what Azure CLI is, why you should use it, how to install it, how to sign in to it, and how to use it effectively.
download azure cli
What is Azure CLI?
Azure CLI is a set of commands that you can use to create and manage Azure resources. The Azure CLI is available across Azure services and is designed to get you working quickly with Azure, with an emphasis on automation. You can use the Azure CLI from any platform, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, or even from a browser through the Azure Cloud Shell. You can also run the Azure CLI in a Docker container if you prefer.
The Azure CLI is different from Azure PowerShell, which is another command-line tool for managing Azure resources. While both tools are cross-platform and installable on Windows, macOS, and Linux, they have different syntaxes and features. For example, Azure PowerShell uses objects as inputs and outputs, while Azure CLI uses text structures. Also, Azure PowerShell requires Windows PowerShell or PowerShell as the shell environment, while Azure CLI can run in Windows PowerShell, Cmd, Bash, or other Unix shells.
Some examples of common Azure CLI commands are:
az group - Manage resource groups
az vm - Manage virtual machines
az storage account - Manage storage accounts
az keyvault - Manage Key Vault
az webapp - Manage web applications
az sql server - Manage SQL servers
az cosmosdb - Manage Cosmos DB accounts
Why use Azure CLI?
There are many benefits of using a command-line tool for managing Azure resources. Some of them are:
You can automate routine operations, standardize database failovers, and pull data that provide powerful insights.
You can scale your tasks in Azure by running multiple commands in a script or a pipeline.
You can share your scripts easily with others instead of writing lengthy documentation with screenshots.
You can leverage the existing automation that runs Azure and save time and effort.
Azure CLI also has some advantages over Azure PowerShell that make it a popular choice for many users. Some of them are:
Azure CLI is open source, which means you can view the source code, contribute to the development, and benefit from the community support.
Azure CLI can be used with any scripting language that supports text input and output, such as Groovy, Python, Ruby, or Perl. This gives you more flexibility and options for developing your scripts.
Azure CLI has a simpler syntax that is easier to learn and remember. It also has fewer parameters and switches than Azure PowerShell.
Azure CLI is idempotent, which means running the same command multiple times against the same resources won't cause any errors or changes. This makes it safer and more reliable than Azure PowerShell.
How to install Azure CLI?
The installation process of the Azure CLI depends on the platform and environment you are using. You can choose from the following options: - Install on Windows - You can use the MSI installer to install the Azure CLI on Windows. This option also adds the Azure CLI to your system PATH and enables tab completion in Windows PowerShell or Cmd. - Install on macOS - You can use the Homebrew package manager to install the Azure CLI on macOS. This option also enables tab completion in Bash or Zsh. - Install on Linux - You can use a package manager or a script to install the Azure CLI on Linux. The supported distributions are Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS, Fedora, openSUSE, and SLES. - Install with Docker - You can use a Docker container to run the Azure CLI without installing it locally. This option requires Docker to be installed and running on your machine. - Run in Azure Cloud Shell - You can use the Azure Cloud Shell to run the Azure CLI in a browser without installing it locally. This option requires an Azure account and a storage account. The steps to install the Azure CLI vary depending on the option you choose, but they are generally simple and straightforward. You can find detailed instructions for each option in the official documentation. Here is an example of how to install the Azure CLI on Windows using the MSI installer: - Download the MSI installer from - Run the installer and follow the prompts - Restart your terminal or open a new one - Verify the installation by running az --version
- Update the Azure CLI if needed by running az upgrade
How to sign in to Azure CLI?
Before you can use the Azure CLI to manage your resources, you need to sign in to your Azure account. There are different methods to sign in depending on your scenario, such as interactive login, service principal login, managed identity login, or access token login. The most common method is interactive login, which prompts you to enter your credentials in a browser or a device code. To sign in with interactive login, follow these steps:
- Run az login in your terminal - If you have a browser available, a new tab will open and ask you to enter a code - If you don't have a browser available, you will see a message with a code and a URL - Copy the code and go to - Enter the code and sign in with your Azure account - Wait for the confirmation message in your terminal After you sign in, you will see a list of subscriptions associated with your account. You can switch between subscriptions by running az account set --subscription <name or id>. You can also list all your subscriptions by running az account list.
How to use Azure CLI effectively?
Now that you have installed and signed in to the Azure CLI, you are ready to start using it for your tasks. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you use the Azure CLI more effectively and efficiently. Some of them are:
- Use az find to search for commands related to a keyword or a service. For example, az find "create vm" will show you commands that can create virtual machines. - Use --output or -o to specify the output format of your commands. The supported formats are json, jsonc, table, tsv, yaml, and none. For example, az vm list -o table will show you a table of your virtual machines. - Use --query or -q to filter and select specific fields from your output. The query language is based on JMESPath. For example, az vm list -o table --query "[].Name:name, Location:location" will show you only the name and location of your virtual machines. - Use az interactive to enter an interactive mode that provides auto-completion, command descriptions, examples, and more. You can exit the interactive mode by typing quit. - Use tab completion to complete your commands faster and easier. Tab completion is enabled by default on macOS and Linux, but requires additional steps on Windows. Conclusion
In this article, you have learned how to download and use the Azure CLI, a powerful command-line tool for managing Azure resources. You have seen what Azure CLI is, why you should use it, how to install it, how to sign in to it, and how to use it effectively. You have also learned some tips and tricks that can help you work with Azure CLI more efficiently and productively.
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If you are interested in learning more about the Azure CLI, you can check out the following resources:
- The official documentation for the Azure CLI, where you can find reference, guides, samples, and more.
- The open source repository for the Azure CLI, where you can view the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development.
- A series of videos that demonstrate how to use the Azure CLI for various scenarios and tasks.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. And don't forget to try the Azure CLI for yourself and see how it can help you with your Azure projects. Happy coding!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Azure CLI:
What is the difference between Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell?
Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell are both command-line tools for managing Azure resources, but they have different syntaxes and features. Azure CLI uses text structures as inputs and outputs, while Azure PowerShell uses objects. Azure CLI can run in any shell environment, while Azure PowerShell requires Windows PowerShell or PowerShell. Azure CLI has a simpler syntax and fewer parameters than Azure PowerShell. Azure CLI is also idempotent, which means running the same command multiple times won't cause any errors or changes.
How do I update the Azure CLI?
You can update the Azure CLI by running az upgrade in your terminal. This will check for the latest version and install it if available. You can also specify the --all option to update all installed extensions as well.
How do I uninstall the Azure CLI?
The uninstallation process of the Azure CLI depends on how you installed it. If you used the MSI installer on Windows, you can uninstall it from the Control Panel or by running msiexec /x E5A6241C-2E8B-4C8B-A878-0452270920ED. If you used Homebrew on macOS, you can uninstall it by running brew uninstall azure-cli. If you used a package manager or a script on Linux, you can uninstall it by following the instructions for your distribution. If you used Docker, you can remove the container by running docker rm -f azure-cli.
How do I run a script with the Azure CLI?
You can run a script with the Azure CLI by saving your commands in a file with a .sh or .ps1 extension and then running it with az shell <script-file>. You can also use @<script-file> as an argument to any command to run the script before executing the command.
How do I get help with the Azure CLI?
You can get help with the Azure CLI by using the --help or -h option with any command or group. This will show you the usage, parameters, examples, and links for that command or group. You can also use az find to search for commands related to a keyword or a service. Additionally, you can visit the for more information and support. 44f88ac181