1---2name: azure-policy3description: Expert knowledge for Azure Policy development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when authoring Machine Configuration packages, deploying via ARM/Bicep/Terraform, mapping CIS/NIST baselines, migrating from DSC, or querying compliance with Resource Graph, and other Azure Policy related development tasks. Not for Azure Blueprints (use azure-blueprints), Azure Role-based access control (use azure-rbac), Azure Resource Manager (use azure-resource-manager), Azure Security (use azure-security).4---5# Azure Policy Skill67This skill provides expert guidance for Azure Policy. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.89## How to Use This Skill1011> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file1213This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:14- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch`. Returns Markdown.15- **Fallback**: Use `WebFetch`. Returns Markdown.1617## Category Index1819| Category | Lines | Description |20|----------|-------|-------------|21| Troubleshooting | L31-L37 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Policy non-compliance, common policy evaluation/deployment errors, and Machine Configuration deployment and remediation issues. |22| Best Practices | L38-L53 | Designing effective Azure Policy definitions: effects, logical/value operators, arrays, tags, initiatives, parameters, and testing/behavior of Machine/Guest Configuration. |23| Decision Making | L54-L60 | Guidance for planning migrations from Azure Automation DSC, DSC extension, and Automanage Best Practices to Azure Policy/Machine Configuration, including mapping features and migration steps. |24| Security | L61-L115 | Using Azure Policy and Machine Configuration for security baselines and mapping/implementing compliance frameworks (CIS, NIST, ISO, PCI, FedRAMP, HIPAA, etc.) across Azure and Azure Government. |25| Configuration | L116-L130 | Authoring, assigning, storing, and securing Machine Configuration (guest configuration) packages and policies, plus prerequisites, networking, remediation, and compliance result analysis. |26| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L131-L136 | Using Azure Resource Graph to query Azure Policy compliance data and guest configuration state across resources for reporting, auditing, and large-scale policy analysis |27| Deployment | L137-L146 | How to deploy and assign Machine Configuration packages via ARM/Bicep/Terraform/REST, publish packages to storage, and use safe deployment practices with Azure Policy. |2829### Troubleshooting30| Topic | URL |31|-------|-----|32| Troubleshoot Azure Machine Configuration deployments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/04-operations-troubleshooting |33| Diagnose causes of Azure Policy non-compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/determine-non-compliance |34| Troubleshoot common Azure Policy errors and issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/troubleshoot/general |3536### Best Practices37| Topic | URL |38|-------|-----|39| Test Machine Configuration packages with GuestConfiguration tools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/3-test-package |40| Understand PSDSC behavior changes in Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/psdsc-in-machine-configuration |41| Author Azure Policy rules for array properties | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/author-policies-for-arrays |42| Count array members with Azure Policy count operator | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-count-operator |43| Deploy resources using deployIfNotExists policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-deploy-resources |44| Choose and configure Azure Policy effects | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-effect-details |45| Apply field properties correctly in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-fields |46| Group Azure Policy definitions into initiatives | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-group-with-initiative |47| Use logical operators effectively in Azure Policy rules | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-logical-operators |48| Parameterize Azure Policy definitions for reuse | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-parameters |49| Enforce and inherit tags using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-tags |50| Use the value operator safely in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-value-operator |5152### Decision Making53| Topic | URL |54|-------|-----|55| Plan migration from Azure Automation DSC to Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/migrating-from-azure-automation |56| Plan migration from DSC extension to Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/migrating-from-dsc-extension |57| Plan migration from Automanage Best Practices to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/migrate-from-automanage-best-practices |5859### Security60| Topic | URL |61|-------|-----|62| Deploy Machine Configuration security baseline policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/deploy-a-baseline-policy-assignment |63| Customize Machine Configuration security baseline parameters | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/specify-custom-parameters-for-baseline-policy |64| Author JSON parameters for Machine Configuration baselines | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-security-baselines/understand-baseline-settings-parameter |65| Sign Machine Configuration packages and enforce signed content | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/6-sign-package |66| Define and use Azure Policy exemption structure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/exemption-structure |67| Map Azure Policy to Australian ISM PROTECTED controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/australia-ism |68| Use Azure Policy for Microsoft cloud security benchmark | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/azure-security-benchmark |69| Use Azure built-in policy initiatives for compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-initiatives |70| Use Azure built-in policy definitions for governance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-policies |71| Use Azure Policy for Canada Federal PBMM compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/canada-federal-pbmm |72| Map CIS Azure 1.1.0 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-1-0 |73| Map CIS Azure 1.3.0 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-3-0 |74| Map CIS Azure 1.4.0 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-1-4-0 |75| Map CIS Azure 2.0.0 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cis-azure-2-0-0 |76| Align Azure Policy with CMMC Level 3 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cmmc-l3 |77| Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-high |78| Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-moderate |79| Align Microsoft cloud security benchmark with Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-azure-security-benchmark |80| Map CIS Azure 1.1.0 (Gov) controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-1-0 |81| Map CIS Azure 1.3.0 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cis-azure-1-3-0 |82| Implement CMMC Level 3 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cmmc-l3 |83| Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-high |84| Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-moderate |85| Implement IRS 1075 2016 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-irs-1075-sept2016 |86| Use Azure Policy for ISO 27001:2013 compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-iso-27001 |87| Map NIST SP 800-171 R2 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-171-r2 |88| Map NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 4 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r4 |89| Map NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-nist-sp-800-53-r5 |90| Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-soc-2 |91| Apply Docker security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-docker |92| Apply Linux security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-linux |93| Apply Windows Server security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-windows |94| Implement HIPAA HITRUST controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/hipaa-hitrust |95| Use Azure Policy for IRS 1075 (2016) compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/irs-1075-sept2016 |96| Align Azure Policy with ISO 27001:2013 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/iso-27001 |97| Apply MCfS Baseline Confidential policies via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/mcfs-baseline-confidential |98| Apply MCfS Baseline Global policies via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/mcfs-baseline-global |99| Map NIST SP 800-171 R2 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/nist-sp-800-171-r2 |100| Map NIST SP 800-53 Rev.4 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/nist-sp-800-53-r4 |101| Map NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/nist-sp-800-53-r5 |102| Implement NL BIO Cloud Theme controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/nl-bio-cloud-theme |103| Implement PCI DSS 3.2.1 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pci-dss-3-2-1 |104| Implement PCI DSS v4.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pci-dss-4-0 |105| Align RBI IT Framework 2016 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rbi-itf-banks-2016 |106| Use Azure Policy for RBI IT Framework for NBFC | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rbi-itf-nbfc-2017 |107| Map RMIT Malaysia controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rmit-malaysia |108| Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy initiatives | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/soc-2 |109| Implement Spain ENS controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/spain-ens |110| Map SWIFT CSP-CSCF 2021 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/swift-csp-cscf-2021 |111| Map Azure Policy to SWIFT CSP-CSCF v2022 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/swift-csp-cscf-2022 |112| Use Azure Policy for UK OFFICIAL and NHS compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/ukofficial-uknhs |113114### Configuration115| Topic | URL |116|-------|-----|117| Understand Machine Configuration assignment resources and metadata | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/concepts/assignments |118| Assign built-in Machine Configuration policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-built-in-policies |119| Create custom Machine Configuration policy definitions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/create-policy-definition |120| Install GuestConfiguration authoring module for Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/1-set-up-authoring-environment |121| Create custom Machine Configuration package artifacts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/2-create-package |122| Configure access to Machine Configuration packages in Azure Storage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/5-access-package |123| Develop custom Machine Configuration packages | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/overview |124| View and analyze Machine Configuration compliance results | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/view-compliance |125| Configure prerequisites for Azure Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/02-setup-prerequisites |126| Configure network and endpoints for Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/03-network-requirements |127| Use built-in guest configuration packages in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-packages |128129### Integrations & Coding Patterns130| Topic | URL |131|-------|-----|132| Query Azure Policy data with Azure Resource Graph | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/resource-graph-samples |133| Query guest configuration state via Resource Graph | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/resource-graph-samples-guest-configuration |134135### Deployment136| Topic | URL |137|-------|-----|138| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments with ARM templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/azure-resource-manager |139| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments with Bicep | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/bicep |140| Assign Machine Configuration packages using templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/overview |141| Create Machine Configuration assignments using REST API | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/rest-api |142| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments using Terraform | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/terraform |143| Publish Machine Configuration packages to Azure storage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/4-publish-package |144| Apply safe deployment practices to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/policy-safe-deployment-practices |
atc-net