From 1fa7859c2d9339f23be198b40f748b922d8a25d7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mikefrobbins <6719572+mikefrobbins@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:30:36 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 1/5] docs: add Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI overview article --- .../azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md | 107 ++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 107 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..93a799e5b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ +--- +title: Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI - differences and when to use each +description: Learn the differences between Azure Developer CLI (azd) and Azure CLI (az), including their purpose, capabilities, and when to use each tool for your Azure workflow. +ms.service: azure-cli +ms.custom: devx-track-azurecli +ms.topic: concept-article +keywords: azure developer cli, azd vs az, azure cli comparison, azure developer cli vs azure cli, azd cli +--- + +# Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI + +Azure Developer CLI (`azd`) and Azure CLI (`az`) are both command-line tools for working with Azure, but they serve different purposes. This article explains the differences and helps you choose the right tool for your workflow. + +## Overview + +| Feature | Azure CLI (`az`) | Azure Developer CLI (`azd`) | +|---------|-----------------|----------------------------| +| **Primary purpose** | Manage Azure resources | Streamline developer workflows | +| **Audience** | IT admins, DevOps, developers | Application developers | +| **Scope** | Individual resource management | End-to-end app deployment | +| **Command prefix** | `az` | `azd` | +| **Install package** | `azure-cli` | `azure-dev` | + +## Azure CLI (`az`) + +Azure CLI is a cross-platform tool for managing Azure resources. It provides direct access to Azure Resource Manager operations, enabling you to create, configure, and manage individual Azure services. + +### When to use Azure CLI + +- Create and manage individual Azure resources (VMs, storage accounts, databases). +- Automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration. +- Query resource properties and manage role-based access control (RBAC). +- Script repetitive Azure management tasks. +- Work with Azure services at the resource level. + +### Example Azure CLI commands + +```azurecli-interactive +# Create a resource group +az group create --name myResourceGroup --location eastus + +# Create a virtual machine +az vm create --resource-group myResourceGroup --name myVM --image Ubuntu2204 + +# List storage accounts +az storage account list --output table +``` + +## Azure Developer CLI (`azd`) + +Azure Developer CLI is a developer-centric tool that accelerates the time it takes to get your application running in Azure. It uses application templates that include infrastructure-as-code (IaC) files and configuration to provision and deploy resources. + +### When to use Azure Developer CLI + +- Scaffold a new application from a template and deploy it to Azure. +- Provision infrastructure and deploy application code in a single workflow. +- Set up CI/CD pipelines for your application. +- Work with Azure Developer CLI templates (`azd` templates) for repeatable deployments. +- Manage the full application lifecycle from development to production. + +### Example Azure Developer CLI commands + +```bash +# Initialize a new project from a template +azd init --template todo-nodejs-mongo + +# Provision infrastructure and deploy the application +azd up + +# Deploy code changes only +azd deploy + +# Set up a CI/CD pipeline +azd pipeline config +``` + +## Key differences + +### Scope of operations + +- **Azure CLI** operates at the _resource level_. You create and manage individual Azure services such as virtual machines, databases, and networking components. +- **Azure Developer CLI** operates at the _application level_. You provision and deploy entire application stacks defined in templates. + +### Infrastructure definition + +- **Azure CLI** uses imperative commands. You specify each step to create and configure resources. +- **Azure Developer CLI** uses declarative templates (Bicep or Terraform) to define infrastructure. The tool handles the orchestration. + +### Workflow focus + +- **Azure CLI** focuses on Azure resource management and automation. +- **Azure Developer CLI** focuses on the inner-loop and outer-loop developer experience — from writing code to deploying applications. + +## Using both tools together + +Azure CLI and Azure Developer CLI are complementary. A common workflow is: + +1. Use `azd` to scaffold and deploy your application from a template. +1. Use `az` to fine-tune individual resource configurations or troubleshoot specific services. +1. Use `az` in scripts for resource-level automation that goes beyond the application template. + +## Related content + +- [Get started with Azure CLI](get-started-with-azure-cli.md) +- [Install Azure CLI](install-azure-cli.md) +- [What is Azure Developer CLI?](/azure/developer/azure-developer-cli/overview) +- [Choose the right Azure command-line tool](choose-the-right-azure-command-line-tool.md) From c16a7815c9bbcc6dadc87551e7eae8a493041246 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mikefrobbins <6719572+mikefrobbins@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:44:00 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 2/5] docs: reorder title to lead with Azure CLI --- .../Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md | 10 +++++----- 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md index 93a799e5b3..26180c1ee1 100644 --- a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md +++ b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md @@ -1,15 +1,15 @@ --- -title: Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI - differences and when to use each -description: Learn the differences between Azure Developer CLI (azd) and Azure CLI (az), including their purpose, capabilities, and when to use each tool for your Azure workflow. +title: Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI - differences and when to use each +description: Learn the differences between Azure CLI (az) and Azure Developer CLI (azd), including their purpose, capabilities, and when to use each tool for your Azure workflow. ms.service: azure-cli ms.custom: devx-track-azurecli ms.topic: concept-article -keywords: azure developer cli, azd vs az, azure cli comparison, azure developer cli vs azure cli, azd cli +keywords: azure cli vs azure developer cli, az vs azd, azure cli comparison, azure developer cli vs azure cli, azd cli --- -# Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI +# Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI -Azure Developer CLI (`azd`) and Azure CLI (`az`) are both command-line tools for working with Azure, but they serve different purposes. This article explains the differences and helps you choose the right tool for your workflow. +Azure CLI (`az`) and Azure Developer CLI (`azd`) are both command-line tools for working with Azure, but they serve different purposes. This article explains the differences and helps you choose the right tool for your workflow. ## Overview From 980c4903fac433061d19ada44b84bda7818e4a96 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mikefrobbins <6719572+mikefrobbins@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:52:56 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 3/5] docs: add Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI to TOC --- docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml | 3 +++ 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml index b4b765ab9e..cc8ff15b26 100644 --- a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml +++ b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml @@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ items: - name: Get started href: get-started-with-azure-cli.md displayName: intro, introduction, sign in, signin, log in, login, find, interactive, feedback + - name: Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI + href: azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md + displayName: azd, azure developer cli, comparison, differences, az vs azd - name: Support lifecycle href: azure-cli-support-lifecycle.md displayName: LTS, STS, support, lifecycle, deprecation, retirement, end of life From ad5b6df3d7ba0317e862fbff625cffef01e33fc3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mikefrobbins <6719572+mikefrobbins@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:57:01 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 4/5] docs: rename file and move TOC entry next to Choose the right tool --- ...-vs-azure-cli.md => azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md} | 0 docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml | 6 +++--- 2 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) rename docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/{azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md => azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md} (100%) diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md similarity index 100% rename from docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md rename to docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml index cc8ff15b26..8d6bb64ee5 100644 --- a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml +++ b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml @@ -9,9 +9,6 @@ items: - name: Get started href: get-started-with-azure-cli.md displayName: intro, introduction, sign in, signin, log in, login, find, interactive, feedback - - name: Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI - href: azure-developer-cli-vs-azure-cli.md - displayName: azd, azure developer cli, comparison, differences, az vs azd - name: Support lifecycle href: azure-cli-support-lifecycle.md displayName: LTS, STS, support, lifecycle, deprecation, retirement, end of life @@ -86,6 +83,9 @@ items: ,vmware,webapp,webpubsub,workloads - name: Choose the right command-line tool href: choose-the-right-azure-command-line-tool.md + - name: Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI + href: azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md + displayName: azd, azure developer cli, comparison, differences, az vs azd - name: Onboarding cheat sheet href: cheat-sheet-onboarding.md displayName: tab-completion, az interactive, az scenario, install From 5b41877abcb504ae2f8636d680d78cdb396209d3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: mikefrobbins <6719572+mikefrobbins@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:07:58 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 5/5] docs: fix em-dash and reorder workflow section to lead with az --- .../Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md | 8 ++++---- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md index 26180c1ee1..2dfaf02045 100644 --- a/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md +++ b/docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md @@ -89,15 +89,15 @@ azd pipeline config ### Workflow focus - **Azure CLI** focuses on Azure resource management and automation. -- **Azure Developer CLI** focuses on the inner-loop and outer-loop developer experience — from writing code to deploying applications. +- **Azure Developer CLI** focuses on the inner-loop and outer-loop developer experience, from writing code to deploying applications. ## Using both tools together Azure CLI and Azure Developer CLI are complementary. A common workflow is: -1. Use `azd` to scaffold and deploy your application from a template. -1. Use `az` to fine-tune individual resource configurations or troubleshoot specific services. -1. Use `az` in scripts for resource-level automation that goes beyond the application template. +1. Use `az` to create and configure individual Azure resources or automate infrastructure tasks. +1. Use `azd` to scaffold and deploy full application stacks from templates. +1. Combine both tools in CI/CD pipelines for end-to-end workflows that manage infrastructure and application code. ## Related content