SkillsAdd

microsoftdocs/agent-skills

azure-automation

Expert knowledge for Azure Automation development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when building runbooks, DSC/Hybrid Workers, Entra/RBAC auth, webhooks/email integrations, or AMA-based tracking, and other Azure Automation related development tasks. Not for Azure Functions (use azure-functions), Azure Logic Apps (use azure-logic-apps), Azure DevOps (use azure-devops), Azure R…

First seen Mar 10, 2026

Installation

$ npx skills add microsoftdocs/agent-skills --skill azure-automation
View on skills.sh ↗ GitHub repository ↗

Summary

  • Expert knowledge for Azure Automation development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment.
  • Use when building runbooks, DSC/Hybrid Workers, Entra/RBAC auth, webhooks/email integrations, or AMA-based tracking, and other Azure Automation related development tasks.
  • Not for Azure Functions (use azure-functions), Azure Logic Apps (use azure-logic-apps), Azure DevOps (use azure-devops), Azure Resource Manager (use azure-resource-manager).

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npx skills add microsoftdocs/agent-skills
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More details

Agent compatibility

Declared targets from SKILL.md / docs. Unmarked agents are not listed — the skill may still install via the CLI.

Claude Code Not declared
Cursor Not declared
Codex Not declared
GitHub Copilot Not declared
Windsurf Not declared
Gemini CLI Not declared
Cline Not declared
OpenCode Not declared

Repository health

Stars 737
License LICENSE
Default branch main
Open issues 2
Status Active

Skill metadata

Parsed from SKILL.md frontmatter.

CompatibilityRequires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
More metadata
generated_at
2026-08-09
generator
docs2skills/1.0.0

Package contents

Files included with this skill beyond the listing page.

  • skill md SKILL.md 16,995 B
  • docs SUMMARY.md 568 B

History

  1. First seen on skills.sh
  2. First recorded snapshot · 136 installs

SKILL.md

Azure Automation Skill

This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Automation. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.

How to Use This Skill

IMPORTANT for Agent: Use the Category Index below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., L35-L120), use readfile with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., [security.md](security.md)), use readfile on the linked reference file

IMPORTANT for Agent: If metadata.generatedat is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If mcpmicrosoftdocs tools are not available, suggest the user install it: Installation Guide

This skill requires network access to fetch documentation content:

  • Preferred: Use mcpmicrosoftdocs:microsoftdocs_fetch with query string from=learn-agent-skill. Returns Markdown.
  • Fallback: Use fetch_webpage with query string from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. Returns Markdown.

Category Index

Category Lines Description
Troubleshooting L36-L45 Diagnosing and fixing Azure Automation issues: runbook failures, DSC/State Configuration, Hybrid Runbook Workers, managed identities, shared resources, and collecting logs for support.
Best Practices L46-L55 Best practices for structuring and running Automation runbooks: modular parent-child design, execution patterns, error handling, stream/output usage, and avoiding context/locking issues.
Decision Making L56-L63 Guidance on choosing runbook types and planning migrations: Orchestrator to Automation, Log Analytics to AMA, agent to extension workers, and Run As accounts to managed identities.
Limits & Quotas L64-L71 Limits, quotas, and version details for Azure Automation: DSC extension history, Automation account capacity, job/runbook limits, and Change Tracking/Inventory support matrix with AMA.
Security L72-L92 Securing Automation accounts: identities (system/user-assigned), Entra auth, RBAC, encryption, credentials/certs, private endpoints, policies, and security best practices.
Configuration L93-L134 Configuring Azure Automation runbooks, DSC/State Configuration, Hybrid Runbook Workers, schedules, modules/packages, alerts, policies, and integrations (VS Code, source control, ARM, Azure Monitor).
Integrations & Coding Patterns L135-L147 Patterns for integrating runbooks with AWS, ARM/SQL/Office 365, webhooks, email (SendGrid), Azure Monitor logging, and using the graphical runbook SDK with managed identities
Deployment L148-L152 Guides for deploying Automation resources: setting up DSC continuous deployment with Chocolatey and installing/configuring Windows and Linux Hybrid Runbook Worker agents (agent- and extension-based).

Troubleshooting

Topic URL
Collect diagnostic data for Azure Automation support cases https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/collect-data-microsoft-azure-automation-case
Troubleshoot Azure Automation State Configuration problems https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/desired-state-configuration
Troubleshoot extension-based Hybrid Runbook Worker failures https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/extension-based-hybrid-runbook-worker
Troubleshoot managed identity issues in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/managed-identity
Diagnose and fix Azure Automation runbook issues https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/runbooks
Troubleshoot Azure Automation shared resource problems https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/shared-resources

Best Practices

Topic URL
Design modular parent-child runbooks in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-child-runbooks
Design and manage Azure Automation runbook execution https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-execution
Implement error handling in Azure Automation graphical runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-graphical-error-handling
Configure output and message streams in Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-output-and-messages
Avoid context switching issues in Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/context-switching
Manage Azure Automation runbooks with recommended design patterns https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-runbooks

Decision Making

Topic URL
Migrate System Center Orchestrator runbooks to Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-orchestrator-migration
Choose appropriate Azure Automation runbook type https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-types
Migrate Change Tracking from Log Analytics agent to AMA https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/change-tracking/guidance-migration-log-analytics-monitoring-agent
Plan and execute migration from Run As to managed identities https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/migrate-run-as-accounts-managed-identity

Limits & Quotas

Topic URL
Reference Azure DSC extension version history details https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-extension-history
View and manage Azure Automation limits and quotas https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-limits-quotas
Azure Automation subscription limits and quotas reference https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-subscription-limits-faq
Support matrix for Change Tracking and Inventory with AMA https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-change-tracking-inventory/change-tracking-inventory-support-matrix

Security

Topic URL
Configure user-assigned managed identity for Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/add-user-assigned-identity
Configure and understand Azure Automation data security https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-managing-data
Assign Azure RBAC roles and permissions for Automation accounts https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-role-based-access-control
Configure encryption for secure assets in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-secure-asset-encryption
Apply security best practices for Azure Automation accounts https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-security-guidelines
Configure authentication methods for Azure Automation accounts https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-security-overview
Configure Microsoft Entra ID authentication for Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-use-azure-ad
Disable local authentication for Azure Automation securely https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/disable-local-authentication
Disable system-assigned managed identity in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/disable-managed-identity-for-automation
Enable system-assigned managed identity for Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/enable-managed-identity-for-automation
Secure Azure Automation access with Private Link and private endpoints https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/how-to/private-link-security
Use managed identity in Azure Automation PowerShell runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/learn/powershell-runbook-managed-identity
Provision Automation account and Reader role via Terraform https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstarts/create-azure-automation-account-terraform
Enable managed identities for Azure Automation accounts https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstarts/enable-managed-identity
Apply Azure Policy compliance controls to Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/security-controls-policy
Securely manage certificates for Azure Automation runbooks and DSC https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/certificates
Create and use credential assets securely in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/credentials

Configuration

Topic URL
Configure metric alerts for Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-alert-metric
Configure and use connection assets in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-connections
Trigger Azure Automation runbooks from Azure Monitor alerts https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-create-alert-triggered-runbook
Compile DSC configurations in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-compile
Configure DSC data at scale in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-config-data-at-scale
Generate DSC configurations from existing servers https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-config-from-server
Configure STIG-based DSC data in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-configuration-based-on-stig
Convert DSC configurations to composite resources https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-create-composite
Send State Configuration data to Azure Monitor Logs https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-diagnostics
Configure core Azure Automation State Configuration tasks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-getting-started
Enable and onboard machines to State Configuration https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-onboarding
Remediate noncompliant servers with State Configuration https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-remediate
Use the Azure Automation textual editor for PowerShell runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-edit-textual-runbook
Author and configure graphical runbooks in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-graphical-authoring-intro
Configure and run runbooks on Hybrid Runbook Workers https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-hrw-run-runbooks
Configure and use Azure Automation Hybrid Runbook Worker https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-hybrid-runbook-worker
Configure network requirements for Azure Automation components https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-network-configuration
Author and manage Automation runbooks using VS Code https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-authoring
Create watcher tasks to track file updates in Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-scenario-using-watcher-task
Configure and update Azure PowerShell modules in Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-update-azure-modules
Compose DSC configurations using composite resources https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/compose-configurationwithcompositeresources
Enforce Hybrid Runbook Worker job execution via policy https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/enforce-job-execution-hybrid-worker
Configure Azure Automation regional DNS records for firewalled networks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/how-to/automation-region-dns-records
Configure runtime environments and associated runbooks in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-runtime-environment
Use built-in Azure Policy definitions for Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/policy-reference
Import and manage Python 3 packages in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/python-3-packages
Import and manage Python 2 packages in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/python-packages
Deploy Azure Automation account via ARM template https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstart-create-automation-account-template
Configure input parameters for Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/runbook-input-parameters
Configure and manage PowerShell modules in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/modules
Configure schedules for Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/schedules
Define and use variable assets in Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/variables
Configure Azure Automation source control integration https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/source-control-integration
Choose methods to start Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/start-runbooks
Remove DSC configuration and unregister Automation node https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/state-configuration/remove-node-and-configuration-package
Configure machines to desired state with State Configuration https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/tutorial-configure-servers-desired-state
Enable Change Tracking and Inventory at scale via Machines pane https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-change-tracking-inventory/enable-change-tracking-at-scale-machines-blade
Enable Change Tracking and Inventory at scale with Azure Policy https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-change-tracking-inventory/enable-change-tracking-at-scale-policy

Integrations & Coding Patterns

Topic URL
Configure Azure Automation runbooks to authenticate with AWS https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-config-aws-account
Deploy ARM templates from Azure Automation PowerShell runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-deploy-template-runbook
Forward Azure Automation job logs to Azure Monitor https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-manage-send-joblogs-log-analytics
Provision AWS virtual machines using Azure Automation runbooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-scenario-aws-deployment
Send email from Azure Automation runbook using SendGrid https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-send-email
Trigger Azure Automation runbooks using webhooks https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-webhooks
Use the Azure Automation graphical runbook SDK https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/graphical-runbook-sdk
Manage Office 365 services with Azure Automation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-office-365
Manage Azure SQL databases using Automation managed identity https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-sql-server-in-automation

Deployment

Topic URL
Set up continuous deployment with DSC and Chocolatey https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-cd-chocolatey
Deploy extension-based Hybrid Runbook Workers https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/extension-based-hybrid-runbook-worker-install