Add Azure Developer CLI vs Azure CLI overview article

docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/azure-cli-vs-azure-developer-cli.md

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+---
+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 cli vs azure developer cli, az vs azd, azure cli comparison, azure developer cli vs azure cli, azd cli
+---
+
+# Azure CLI vs Azure Developer CLI
+
+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
+
+| 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 `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
+
+- [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)

docs-ref-conceptual/Latest-version/toc.yml

@@ -83,6 +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