Azure CLI

The Azure CLI is a cross-platform command-line tool for managing Azure resources. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and can be used interactively or in automation scripts. This guide covers instal

Installation (2025)

Fedora / RHEL / CentOS

sudo rpm --import https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc
sudo dnf install -y https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/9.0/packages-microsoft-prod.rpm
sudo dnf install -y https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/8/packages-microsoft-prod.rpm
sudo dnf install azure-cli

Ubuntu / Debian

curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash

macOS (Homebrew)

brew update && brew install azure-cli

Windows

winget install -e --id Microsoft.AzureCLI

NixOS Installation & Configuration (2025)

Using Nix Package Manager

# Add to your /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [ azure-cli ];

Apply the configuration:

sudo nixos-rebuild switch

Using Home Manager (per-user)

# Add to your home.nix
home.packages = with pkgs; [ azure-cli ];

Apply the configuration:

home-manager switch

Post-Install Configuration

• Ensure you have Python 3 available (NixOS provides this by default).

• If you need to use Azure CLI behind a proxy, set the HTTP_PROXY and HTTPS_PROXY environment variables as described above.

• For persistent configuration, add proxy variables to your shell profile (e.g., .bashrc, .zshrc).

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Proxy Settings

If you are behind a proxy, configure the following environment variables:

# No auth
export HTTP_PROXY=http://[proxy]:[port]
export HTTPS_PROXY=https://[proxy]:[port]

# Basic auth
export HTTP_PROXY=http://[username]:[password]@[proxy]:[port]
export HTTPS_PROXY=https://[username]:[password]@[proxy]:[port]

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Running Azure CLI in Docker/Podman

docker run -it mcr.microsoft.com/azure-cli

To use your local SSH keys (for az ssh, az vm, etc.):

docker run -it -v ${HOME}/.ssh:/root/.ssh mcr.microsoft.com/azure-cli

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Real-Life DevOps Examples (2025)

1. Login and Set Subscription

az login
az account set --subscription "My-Prod-Subscription"

2. Create a Resource Group

az group create --name devops-rg --location westeurope

3. Deploy Infrastructure with Bicep

az deployment group create \
  --resource-group devops-rg \
  --template-file main.bicep \
  --parameters environment=dev

4. Assign a Managed Identity to a VM

az vm identity assign --name myvm --resource-group devops-rg

5. Use Azure CLI in GitHub Actions

- name: Azure Login
  uses: azure/login@v2
  with:
    creds: ${{ secrets.AZURE_CREDENTIALS }}
- name: Run Azure CLI Script
  run: |
    az group list --output table

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Azure CLI Jokes

Why did the Azure resource group break up with the VM? Because it needed more space!

Why do Azure engineers love the CLI? Because it's always az-y to automate!

Why did the Azure cloud get invited to all the parties? Because it always brings the best resources on demand!

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More Examples & Resources

• Azure CLI Official Docs

• Azure CLI Samples

• Best Practices for Azure CLI in DevOps

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Tip: Use az upgrade to keep your CLI up to date!