1---2name: azure-automation3description: 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/State Configuration, Hybrid Runbook Workers, webhooks/identities auth, or Azure/AWS/SQL integrations, and other Azure Automation related development tasks. Not for Azure Functions (use azure-functions), Azure Logic Apps (use azure-logic-apps), Azure Scheduler (use azure-scheduler), Azure Update Manager (use azure-update-manager).4---5# Azure Automation Skill67This 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.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 file1213> **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md)1415This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content:16- **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown.17- **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown.1819## Category Index2021| Category | Lines | Description |22|----------|-------|-------------|23| Troubleshooting | L36-L46 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Automation issues: DSC/State Configuration, Hybrid Runbook Workers (agent/extension), managed identities, runbook failures, shared resources, and collecting support diagnostics. |24| Best Practices | L47-L56 | Best practices for structuring, chaining, and managing runbooks, handling errors and output streams, ensuring resilient execution, and avoiding context-switching issues in Azure Automation. |25| Decision Making | L57-L65 | Guidance on choosing Azure Automation runbook types and planning migrations (Orchestrator, Log Analytics agent, Hybrid workers, Run As accounts, AzureRM→Az, and agent-to-extension changes). |26| Limits & Quotas | L66-L72 | Limits, quotas, and version/support details for Azure Automation: DSC extension changes, Automation resource limits, subscription quotas, and Change Tracking/Inventory support with AMA. |27| Security | L73-L93 | Securing Automation accounts: identities, RBAC, auth methods, encryption, certificates/credentials, private endpoints, and policy/compliance for secure runbooks and access. |28| Configuration | L94-L134 | Configuring and managing Azure Automation runbooks, DSC/State Configuration, Hybrid Runbook Workers, alerts, schedules, source control, policies, packages, and deployment/runtime settings. |29| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L135-L147 | Integrating Automation runbooks with Azure/AWS/Office 365/SQL, authenticating via identities/webhooks, deploying ARM, sending logs to Monitor, and emailing via SendGrid |30| Deployment | L148-L157 | Guides for deploying resilient Automation accounts, setting up DR and continuous deployment, and installing/migrating Windows/Linux Hybrid Runbook Workers and agents. |3132### Troubleshooting33| Topic | URL |34|-------|-----|35| Collect diagnostic data for Azure Automation support cases | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/collect-data-microsoft-azure-automation-case |36| Troubleshoot Azure Automation State Configuration problems | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/desired-state-configuration |37| Troubleshoot extension-based Hybrid Runbook Worker issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/extension-based-hybrid-runbook-worker |38| Troubleshoot agent-based Hybrid Runbook Worker issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/hybrid-runbook-worker |39| Troubleshoot managed identity issues in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/managed-identity |40| Troubleshoot Azure Automation runbook execution issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/runbooks |41| Troubleshoot Azure Automation shared resource problems | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/troubleshoot/shared-resources |4243### Best Practices44| Topic | URL |45|-------|-----|46| Design modular parent-child runbooks in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-child-runbooks |47| Design resilient Azure Automation runbook execution behavior | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-execution |48| Implement error handling in Azure Automation graphical runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-graphical-error-handling |49| Configure output and message streams in Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-output-and-messages |50| Avoid Azure Automation runbook issues from context switching | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/context-switching |51| Manage Azure Automation runbooks with recommended design patterns | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-runbooks |5253### Decision Making54| Topic | URL |55|-------|-----|56| Migrate System Center Orchestrator runbooks to Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-orchestrator-migration |57| Choose appropriate Azure Automation runbook types | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-types |58| 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 |59| Plan and execute migration from Run As to managed identities | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/migrate-run-as-accounts-managed-identity |60| Plan migration from AzureRM to Az modules in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/modules |6162### Limits & Quotas63| Topic | URL |64|-------|-----|65| View and manage Azure Automation limits and quotas | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-limits-quotas |66| Azure Automation subscription limits and quotas reference | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-subscription-limits-faq |67| 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 |6869### Security70| Topic | URL |71|-------|-----|72| Configure user-assigned managed identity for Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/add-user-assigned-identity |73| Understand and configure Azure Automation data security | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-managing-data |74| Assign Azure RBAC roles and permissions for Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-role-based-access-control |75| Configure encryption for secure assets in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-secure-asset-encryption |76| Apply security best practices for Azure Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-security-guidelines |77| Configure authentication methods for Azure Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-security-overview |78| Configure Microsoft Entra ID authentication for Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-use-azure-ad |79| Disable local authentication for Azure Automation securely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/disable-local-authentication |80| Disable system-assigned managed identity on Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/disable-managed-identity-for-automation |81| Enable system-assigned managed identity for Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/enable-managed-identity-for-automation |82| Secure Azure Automation access with Private Link and private endpoints | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/how-to/private-link-security |83| Use managed identity in Azure Automation PowerShell runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/learn/powershell-runbook-managed-identity |84| Provision Automation account and Reader role via Terraform | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstarts/create-azure-automation-account-terraform |85| Enable managed identities for Azure Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstarts/enable-managed-identity |86| Apply Azure Policy compliance controls to Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/security-controls-policy |87| Securely manage certificates for Azure Automation runbooks and DSC | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/certificates |88| Create and use credential assets securely in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/credentials |8990### Configuration91| Topic | URL |92|-------|-----|93| Configure metric alerts for Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-alert-metric |94| Configure and use connection assets in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-connections |95| Trigger Azure Automation runbooks from Azure Monitor alerts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-create-alert-triggered-runbook |96| Compile DSC configurations in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-compile |97| Configure DSC data at scale in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-config-data-at-scale |98| Generate DSC configurations from existing servers | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-config-from-server |99| Configure STIG-based DSC data in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-configuration-based-on-stig |100| Convert DSC configurations to composite resources | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-create-composite |101| Send State Configuration data to Azure Monitor Logs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-diagnostics |102| Use Azure DSC extension version history for configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-extension-history |103| Perform common Azure Automation State Configuration tasks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-getting-started |104| Onboard machines to Azure Automation State Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-onboarding |105| Remediate noncompliant servers with State Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-remediate |106| Use the Azure Automation textual editor for PowerShell runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-edit-textual-runbook |107| Author and configure graphical runbooks in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-graphical-authoring-intro |108| Configure and use Azure Automation Hybrid Runbook Worker | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-hybrid-runbook-worker |109| Configure network requirements for Azure Automation components | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-network-configuration |110| Author and manage Automation runbooks using VS Code | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-runbook-authoring |111| Create watcher tasks to track file updates in Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-scenario-using-watcher-task |112| Update and manage Azure PowerShell modules in Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-update-azure-modules |113| Compose DSC configurations using composite resources | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/compose-configurationwithcompositeresources |114| Enforce Hybrid Runbook Worker job execution via policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/enforce-job-execution-hybrid-worker |115| Configure Azure Automation regional DNS records for firewalled networks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/how-to/automation-region-dns-records |116| Configure runtime environments and associated runbooks in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-runtime-environment |117| Use built-in Azure Policy definitions for Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/policy-reference |118| Import and manage Python 3 packages in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/python-3-packages |119| Import and manage Python 2 packages in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/python-packages |120| Deploy Azure Automation account via ARM template | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/quickstart-create-automation-account-template |121| Configure input parameters for Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/runbook-input-parameters |122| Understand and configure Azure Automation runtime environments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/runtime-environment-overview |123| Configure schedules for Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/schedules |124| Define and use variable assets in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/shared-resources/variables |125| Configure Azure Automation source control integration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/source-control-integration |126| Choose methods to start Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/start-runbooks |127| Remove DSC configuration and unregister Automation node | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/state-configuration/remove-node-and-configuration-package |128| 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 |129| 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 |130131### Integrations & Coding Patterns132| Topic | URL |133|-------|-----|134| Configure Azure Automation runbooks to authenticate with AWS | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-config-aws-account |135| Deploy ARM templates from Azure Automation PowerShell runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-deploy-template-runbook |136| Forward Azure Automation job logs to Azure Monitor | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-manage-send-joblogs-log-analytics |137| Provision AWS virtual machines using Azure Automation runbooks | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-scenario-aws-deployment |138| Send email from Azure Automation runbook using SendGrid | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-send-email |139| Trigger Azure Automation runbooks via webhooks from external services | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-webhooks |140| Use the Azure Automation graphical runbook SDK | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/graphical-runbook-sdk |141| Manage Office 365 services with Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-office-365 |142| Manage Azure SQL databases using Automation managed identity | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/manage-sql-server-in-automation |143144### Deployment145| Topic | URL |146|-------|-----|147| Use availability zones for resilient Azure Automation deployments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-availability-zones |148| Plan disaster recovery for Azure Automation accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-disaster-recovery |149| Set up continuous deployment with DSC and Chocolatey | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-dsc-cd-chocolatey |150| Deploy Linux Hybrid Runbook Worker agent | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-linux-hrw-install |151| Deploy agent-based Windows Hybrid Runbook Workers in Azure Automation | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/automation-windows-hrw-install |152| Deploy extension-based Hybrid Runbook Workers for Windows and Linux | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/extension-based-hybrid-runbook-worker-install |153| Migrate Azure Automation hybrid workers to extension-based | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/automation/migrate-existing-agent-based-hybrid-worker-to-extension-based-workers |
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