While the Azure Portal provides a graphical user interface for managing resources, there are also command-line tools for administrators and developers who prefer scripting or automation. These tools allow you to perform one-off management tasks and execute multiple commands for managing Azure services.
Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI
Both Azure PowerShell and the Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI):
- Allow you to perform management tasks such as creating, configuring, or deleting resources.
- Work across Windows, Linux, and Mac.
- Can be accessed directly from Azure Cloud Shell.
Because they are command-line based, they are useful for administrators who prefer scripting or need more precise control compared to the visual Azure Portal.
Cloud Shell
Azure Cloud Shell is a browser-based shell that allows you to run either PowerShell or CLI commands without installing anything on your local machine.
- Access it at https://shell.azure.com.
- It times out after about 20 minutes of inactivity.
- It requires a storage account for storing profiles and scripts.
Cloud Shell is particularly useful for quick access, but if you need long-running scripts or automation, installing PowerShell or CLI locally is more practical.
Azure PowerShell
- Typically favored for managing Windows Servers, but it can also manage Linux virtual machines.
- Example commands include:
Install-Module -Name Az.CosmosDBNew-AzCosmosDBAccountConnect-AzAccount
Azure CLI
- Based on Bash, a Unix scripting language.
- More commonly used for managing Azure resources across platforms.
- Example commands include:
az cosmosdb create \az login
Why These Tools Matter
Azure PowerShell, CLI, and Cloud Shell complement the Azure Portal by providing scriptable, repeatable, and efficient ways to manage resources. They are particularly powerful for automation, although in the AZ-900 exam you only need to understand what these tools are and when to use them — not how to script them in detail.
Next Steps
For AZ-900, focus on recognizing the difference between:
- The Azure Portal for visual management.
- PowerShell and CLI for command-line management.
- Infrastructure as Code (#52# and #53#) for automation and repeatability.
If you’d like a clear, structured explanation of all AZ-900 exam topics, our AZ-900 video course walks through each area in detail with examples. Alternatively, please go back to our list of AZ-900 requirements.
Please click here to find out more about Microsoft’s AZ-900 exam.
