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). Use when this capability is needed.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 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 | L35-L41 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure Policy non-compliance, common policy evaluation/deployment errors, and Machine Configuration deployment and remediation issues. |24| Best Practices | L42-L57 | Designing effective Azure Policy definitions: effects, logical/value operators, arrays, tags, initiatives, parameters, and testing/behavior of Machine/Guest Configuration. |25| Decision Making | L58-L64 | 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. |26| Security | L65-L119 | 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. |27| Configuration | L120-L134 | Authoring, assigning, storing, and securing Machine Configuration (guest configuration) packages and policies, plus prerequisites, networking, remediation, and compliance result analysis. |28| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L135-L140 | Using Azure Resource Graph to query Azure Policy compliance data and guest configuration state across resources for reporting, auditing, and large-scale policy analysis |29| Deployment | L141-L150 | 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. |3031### Troubleshooting32| Topic | URL |33|-------|-----|34| Troubleshoot Azure Machine Configuration deployments | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/04-operations-troubleshooting |35| Diagnose causes of Azure Policy non-compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/determine-non-compliance |36| Troubleshoot common Azure Policy errors and issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/troubleshoot/general |3738### Best Practices39| Topic | URL |40|-------|-----|41| 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 |42| Understand PSDSC behavior changes in Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/psdsc-in-machine-configuration |43| Author Azure Policy rules for array properties | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/author-policies-for-arrays |44| Count array members with Azure Policy count operator | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-count-operator |45| Deploy resources using deployIfNotExists policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-deploy-resources |46| Choose and configure Azure Policy effects | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-effect-details |47| Apply field properties correctly in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-fields |48| Group Azure Policy definitions into initiatives | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-group-with-initiative |49| Use logical operators effectively in Azure Policy rules | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-logical-operators |50| Parameterize Azure Policy definitions for reuse | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-parameters |51| Enforce and inherit tags using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-tags |52| Use the value operator safely in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pattern-value-operator |5354### Decision Making55| Topic | URL |56|-------|-----|57| 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 |58| Plan migration from DSC extension to Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/whats-new/migrating-from-dsc-extension |59| 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 |6061### Security62| Topic | URL |63|-------|-----|64| 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 |65| 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 |66| 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 |67| 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 |68| Define and use Azure Policy exemption structure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/exemption-structure |69| Map Azure Policy to Australian ISM PROTECTED controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/australia-ism |70| Use Azure Policy for Microsoft cloud security benchmark | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/azure-security-benchmark |71| Use Azure built-in policy initiatives for compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-initiatives |72| Use Azure built-in policy definitions for governance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-policies |73| Use Azure Policy for Canada Federal PBMM compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/canada-federal-pbmm |74| 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 |75| 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 |76| 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 |77| 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 |78| Align Azure Policy with CMMC Level 3 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/cmmc-l3 |79| Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-high |80| Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/fedramp-moderate |81| 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 |82| 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 |83| 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 |84| Implement CMMC Level 3 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-cmmc-l3 |85| Map FedRAMP High controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-high |86| Map FedRAMP Moderate controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-fedramp-moderate |87| Implement IRS 1075 2016 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-irs-1075-sept2016 |88| Use Azure Policy for ISO 27001:2013 compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-iso-27001 |89| 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 |90| 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 |91| 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 |92| Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy in Azure Government | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/gov-soc-2 |93| Apply Docker security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-docker |94| Apply Linux security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-linux |95| Apply Windows Server security baseline via guest configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/guest-configuration-baseline-windows |96| Implement HIPAA HITRUST controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/hipaa-hitrust |97| Use Azure Policy for IRS 1075 (2016) compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/irs-1075-sept2016 |98| Align Azure Policy with ISO 27001:2013 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/iso-27001 |99| Apply MCfS Baseline Confidential policies via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/mcfs-baseline-confidential |100| Apply MCfS Baseline Global policies via Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/mcfs-baseline-global |101| 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 |102| 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 |103| 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 |104| Implement NL BIO Cloud Theme controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/nl-bio-cloud-theme |105| 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 |106| Implement PCI DSS v4.0 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/pci-dss-4-0 |107| Align RBI IT Framework 2016 controls with Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rbi-itf-banks-2016 |108| Use Azure Policy for RBI IT Framework for NBFC | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rbi-itf-nbfc-2017 |109| Map RMIT Malaysia controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/rmit-malaysia |110| Map SOC 2 controls to Azure Policy initiatives | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/soc-2 |111| Implement Spain ENS controls using Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/spain-ens |112| Map SWIFT CSP-CSCF 2021 controls to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/swift-csp-cscf-2021 |113| Map Azure Policy to SWIFT CSP-CSCF v2022 controls | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/swift-csp-cscf-2022 |114| Use Azure Policy for UK OFFICIAL and NHS compliance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/ukofficial-uknhs |115116### Configuration117| Topic | URL |118|-------|-----|119| Understand Machine Configuration assignment resources and metadata | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/concepts/assignments |120| Assign built-in Machine Configuration policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-built-in-policies |121| Create custom Machine Configuration policy definitions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/create-policy-definition |122| 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 |123| Create custom Machine Configuration package artifacts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/2-create-package |124| 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 |125| Develop custom Machine Configuration packages | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/develop-custom-package/overview |126| View and analyze Machine Configuration compliance results | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/view-compliance |127| Configure prerequisites for Azure Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/02-setup-prerequisites |128| Configure network and endpoints for Machine Configuration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/overview/03-network-requirements |129| Use built-in guest configuration packages in Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/built-in-packages |130131### Integrations & Coding Patterns132| Topic | URL |133|-------|-----|134| Query Azure Policy data with Azure Resource Graph | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/resource-graph-samples |135| Query guest configuration state via Resource Graph | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/samples/resource-graph-samples-guest-configuration |136137### Deployment138| Topic | URL |139|-------|-----|140| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments with ARM templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/azure-resource-manager |141| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments with Bicep | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/bicep |142| Assign Machine Configuration packages using templates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/overview |143| Create Machine Configuration assignments using REST API | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/rest-api |144| Deploy Machine Configuration assignments using Terraform | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/machine-configuration/how-to/assign-configuration/terraform |145| 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 |146| Apply safe deployment practices to Azure Policy | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/how-to/policy-safe-deployment-practices |147148---149> Source: [MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).150<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-07-01 -->
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