azure-devops

# Azure DevOps Skill This skill provides expert guidance for Azure DevOps. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities. ## How to Use This Skill > **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 file > **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) This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content: - **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns Markdown. - **Fallback**: Use `fetch_webpage` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown`. Returns Markdown. ## Category Index | Category | Lines | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Troubleshooting | L37-L54 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure DevOps issues: connectivity, permissions, notifications/email, performance/analytics, Managed DevOps Pools/MCP servers, dashboards, wikis, and collection upgrades. | | Best Practices | L55-L70 | Guidance on optimizing Azure DevOps performance, analytics, and reporting: pools, permissions, OData/Power BI queries, flow metrics, caches, and on-prem data cleanup. | | Decision Making | L71-L89 | Guidance for architectural and governance decisions in Azure DevOps: org geography, access/auth, team and work tracking setup, wikis, analytics/reporting, server topology, upgrades, and cost choices. | | Architecture & Design Patterns | L90-L100 | Architectural guidance for Azure DevOps/Server: pool architecture, reliability/DR, SQL/database dependencies, and design patterns for simple to complex multi-server topologies and analytics modeling. | | Limits & Quotas | L101-L116 | Limits, quotas, and constraints for Azure DevOps orgs, projects, naming, work tracking, dashboards, wikis, analytics, ARM pipeline sizes, and Managed DevOps Pools, plus related retention and notifications | | Security | L117-L174 | Managing Azure DevOps security: identities, auth, permissions, groups, roles, auditing, access levels, and secure configuration for orgs, projects, repos, pipelines, analytics, and servers. | | Configuration | L175-L252 | Configuring Azure DevOps and Azure DevOps Server: managed DevOps pools, networking, notifications, auditing, boards/work items, analytics, dashboards, backups, search, and server infrastructure. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L253-L296 | Integrating Azure DevOps with tools (VS, SIEM, notifications, clients) and building Analytics/OData- and Power BI–based reports for work items, pipelines, and test/requirements metrics. | | Deployment | L297-L328 | Installing, configuring, scaling, moving, backing up, restoring, and upgrading Azure DevOps Server/TFS deployments, including SQL, SharePoint, domains, and project collections | ### Troubleshooting | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Use diagnostic logs for Managed DevOps Pools troubleshooting | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/diagnostics?view=azure-devops | | Diagnose and fix Azure Managed DevOps Pools issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/troubleshooting?view=azure-devops | | Diagnose and fix remote Azure DevOps MCP Server issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/mcp-server/remote-mcp-server-troubleshooting?view=azure-devops | | Investigate Azure DevOps usage and performance issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/usage-monitoring?view=azure-devops | | Troubleshoot and configure Azure DevOps notifications | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/notifications/faq-notifications?view=azure-devops | | Diagnose and fix Azure DevOps notification email issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/notifications/troubleshoot-not-getting-email?view=azure-devops | | Use subscription logging to debug Azure DevOps notifications | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/notifications/use-subscription-logging?view=azure-devops | | Allowlist IPs and URLs for Azure DevOps connectivity | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/allow-list-ip-url?view=azure-devops | | Troubleshoot Azure DevOps access and permission issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/troubleshoot-permissions?view=azure-devops | | Restore deleted Azure DevOps wikis via REST API | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/project/wiki/restore-deleted-wiki?view=azure-devops | | Resolve common Azure DevOps dashboard and chart issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/dashboards/faqs?view=azure-devops | | Troubleshoot Azure DevOps Analytics views for Power BI | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/troubleshooting-views?view=azure-devops | | Azure DevOps Server administration FAQ and support guidance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/faq?view=azure-devops-server | | Troubleshoot Azure DevOps project collection upgrade failures | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/troubleshooting/collection-upgrade-failure?view=azure-devops-server | ### Best Practices | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Optimize Managed DevOps Pools cost and performance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/manage-costs?view=azure-devops | | Optimize Azure DevOps permissions for large organizations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/permission-performance-recommendations?view=azure-devops | | Apply best practices when querying Azure DevOps Analytics | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/analytics/analytics-best-practices?view=azure-devops | | Choose and use Azure DevOps burndown and burnup charts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/dashboards/burndown-guidance?view=azure-devops | | Use CFDs, cycle time, and lead time to improve flow | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/dashboards/cumulative-flow-cycle-lead-time-guidance?view=azure-devops | | Design efficient OData batch requests for Analytics | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/extend-analytics/odata-batch?view=azure-devops | | Optimize OData Analytics queries for performance limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/extend-analytics/odata-query-guidelines?view=azure-devops | | Add last refresh timestamp to Azure DevOps Power BI reports | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/add-last-refresh-time?view=azure-devops | | Apply team-based filtering in Azure DevOps Power BI reports | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/create-team-filter?view=azure-devops | | Add time-in-state DAX measures for Azure DevOps work items | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/create-timeinstate-report?view=azure-devops | | Refresh Azure DevOps client caches after maintenance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/admin/backup/refresh-data-caches?view=azure-devops-server | | Clean up Azure DevOps Server data for performance and upgrades | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/upgrade/clean-up-data?view=azure-devops-server | ### Decision Making | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Choose between Managed DevOps Pools and VM scale-set agents | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/migrate-from-scale-set-agents?view=azure-devops | | Estimate and compare Managed DevOps Pools costs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/pricing?view=azure-devops | | Choose and manage Azure DevOps organization geography | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/change-organization-location?view=azure-devops | | Migrate Azure DevOps public projects to GitHub | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/projects/migrate-public-project?view=azure-devops | | Plan for Azure DevOps public projects retirement | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/projects/public-projects-retirement?view=azure-devops | | Choose and manage Azure DevOps access levels | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/access-levels?view=azure-devops | | Choose secure authentication methods for Azure DevOps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/authentication-guidance?view=azure-devops | | Decide team structure and Agile tools in Azure DevOps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/settings/about-teams-and-settings?view=azure-devops | | Choose between provisioned and code-published Azure DevOps wikis | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/project/wiki/provisioned-vs-published-wiki?view=azure-devops | | Choose customization approaches for Azure DevOps work tracking | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/reference/customize-work?view=azure-devops | | Choose Azure DevOps Analytics query tools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/analytics/analytics-query-tools?view=azure-devops | | Plan Azure DevOps reporting migration to Analytics | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/reporting-roadmap?view=azure-devops | | Choose and plan Azure DevOps Server deployment topology | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/install/get-started?view=azure-devops-server | | Understand Azure DevOps Server lifecycle and servicing options | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/install/servicing?view=azure-devops-server | | Upgrade Azure DevOps Server Express or move to full Server | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/upgrade/express?view=azure-devops-server | ### Architecture & Design Patterns | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Understand reliability and disaster recovery for Managed DevOps Pools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/reliability-managed-devops-pools?view=azure-devops | | Model historical and trend data in Azure DevOps Analytics | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/analytics-historical-filtering?view=azure-devops | | Understand Azure DevOps Server resource dependencies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/admin/app-dependencies?view=azure-devops-server | | Plan complex multi-server Azure DevOps topologies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/architecture/examples-complex-topo?view=azure-devops-server | | Design moderate Azure DevOps Server topologies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/architecture/examples-moderate-topo?view=azure-devops-server | | Apply simple Azure DevOps Server topology patterns | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/architecture/examples-simple-topo?view=azure-devops-server | | Understand Azure DevOps Server SQL database architecture | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/server/architecture/sql-server-databases?view=azure-devops-server | ### Limits & Quotas | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Review Managed DevOps Pools quotas and SKUs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/faq?view=azure-devops | | Change Azure DevOps organization image within size limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/change-organization-image?view=azure-devops | | Delete Azure DevOps organization and data retention | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/delete-your-organization?view=azure-devops | | Recover deleted Azure DevOps organizations within retention limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/recover-your-organization?view=azure-devops | | Rename Azure DevOps projects and notification behavior | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/projects/rename-project?view=azure-devops | | Azure DevOps naming rules and restrictions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/settings/naming-restrictions?view=azure-devops | | Review Azure DevOps work tracking limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/settings/work/object-limits?view=azure-devops | | Configure and understand Azure DevOps wiki page follow notifications | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/project/wiki/follow-notifications-wiki-pages?view=azure-devops | | Add additional portfolio backlogs in Azure DevOps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/reference/add-portfolio-backlogs?view=azure-devops | | Azure Pipelines ARM integration size limit changes | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/release-notes/2023/sprint-225-update | | Add and configure widgets on Azure DevOps dashboards | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/dashboards/add-widget-to-dashboard?view=azure-devops | | Understand Azure DevOps Analytics data availability by platform | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/powerbi/data-available-in-analytics?view=azure-devops | ### Security | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Configure managed identities for Managed DevOps Pools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/configure-identity?view=azure-devops | | Configure security and access for Managed DevOps Pools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/configure-security?view=azure-devops | | Set Azure permissions for Managed DevOps Pools | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/managed-devops-pools/prerequisites?view=azure-devops | | Configure Azure DevOps application access security policies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/change-application-access-policies?view=azure-devops | | Manage Azure DevOps organization ownership and permissions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/change-organization-ownership?view=azure-devops | | Configure Azure DevOps access via Microsoft Entra ID | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/faq-azure-access?view=azure-devops | | Set up Visual Studio authentication with Azure DevOps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/faq-set-up-vs?view=azure-devops | | Manage Azure DevOps users and permissions securely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/accounts/faq-user-and-permissions-management?view=azure-devops | | Enable and use Azure DevOps audit logging securely | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/audit/azure-devops-auditing?view=azure-devops | | Manage security, permissions, and access in Azure DevOps | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/security/?view=azure-devops |