azure-cost-management

# Cost Management Skill This skill provides expert guidance for Cost Management. 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. ## 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 | L36-L65 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure billing, subscription, and reservation issues (sign-up, access, payments, invoices, utilization, and error codes) including EA, MCA, CSP, and student accounts. | | Best Practices | L66-L78 | Best practices for analyzing and optimizing Azure costs, using Advisor, managing subscriptions and agreements, leveraging savings plans and SQL licensing, and setting up cost governance processes. | | Decision Making | L79-L114 | Guidance for choosing and configuring Azure billing, cost allocation, reservations, savings plans, EA→MCA migrations, account/offer changes, and partner/CSP billing to optimize costs. | | Limits & Quotas | L115-L127 | Limits, quotas, and timing for Cost Management data; free account and credit limits; subscription spending limits; savings plan exclusions/utilization; multi-sub limits; dormant billing accounts. | | Security | L128-L150 | Managing secure access to cost, billing, subscriptions, reservations, and savings plans using RBAC and billing roles, including admin elevation, directory transfers, and compliance (e.g., PSD2, tax docs). | | Configuration | L151-L173 | Configuring Cost Management: tags, views, filters, exports, budgets, alerts, reservations/savings plans, SQL licensing, and subscription/billing ownership and policies. | | Integrations & Coding Patterns | L174-L191 | APIs, scripts, and PowerShell patterns to automate cost analysis, billing data retrieval, and programmatic creation/migration of Azure subscriptions and reservations. | | Deployment | L192-L195 | Configuring automated, large-scale exports of Azure cost and usage data to storage (like Azure Storage), including setup, scheduling, and management for ongoing cost analysis. | ### Troubleshooting | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Troubleshoot common Azure Cost Management error codes | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-management-error-codes | | Troubleshoot and reactivate disabled Azure for Students | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/azurestudents-subscription-disabled | | Diagnose and reactivate disabled Azure subscriptions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-disabled | | Troubleshoot subscription access issues after MCA signup | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/microsoft-customer-agreement/troubleshoot-subscription-access | | Find Azure reservation purchasers using Monitor logs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/find-reservation-purchaser-from-logs | | Fix unavailable Azure reservation usage downloads | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-download-usage | | Resolve 'No eligible subscriptions' errors when buying reservations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-no-eligible-subscriptions | | Troubleshoot unavailable Azure reservation types | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-product-not-available | | Troubleshoot Azure reservation recommendation discrepancies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-reservation-recommendation | | Transfer Azure reservation orders between Entra tenants | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-reservation-transfers-between-tenants | | Diagnose and fix Azure reservation utilization issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/troubleshoot-reservation-utilization | | Troubleshoot Azure savings plan utilization anomalies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/troubleshoot-savings-plan-utilization | | Troubleshoot Azure billing payment update errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/billing-troubleshoot-azure-payment-issues | | Fix VM creation errors for Azure EA users | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/cannot-create-vm | | Resolve missing billing account in Azure portal | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-account-not-found | | Fix issues viewing Azure invoices in portal | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-cant-find-invoice | | Troubleshoot CSP billing with reconciliation usage files | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-csp-billing-issues-usage-file-pivot-tables | | Troubleshoot MCA billing using Azure usage pivot tables | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-customer-agreement-billing-issues-usage-file-pivot-tables | | Resolve declined credit cards for Azure billing | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-declined-card | | Troubleshoot Azure EA billing with usage pivot tables | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-ea-billing-issues-usage-file-pivot-tables | | Diagnose and fix Azure threshold billing issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-billing/troubleshoot-threshold-billing | | Resolve Azure subscription sign-up directory errors | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/cannot-sign-up-subscription | | Resolve 'No subscriptions found' error in Azure portal | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/no-subscriptions-found | | Troubleshoot new Azure account sign-up issues | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/troubleshoot-azure-sign-up | | Fix 'Not available due to conflict' for reservations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/troubleshoot-not-available-conflict | | Troubleshoot Azure portal subscription sign-in problems | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/troubleshoot-sign-in-issue | ### Best Practices | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Use Cost Analysis for common Azure cost questions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-analysis-common-uses | | Apply Azure Cost Management optimization best practices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-mgt-best-practices | | Reduce Azure costs using Advisor recommendations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/tutorial-acm-opt-recommendations | | Safely cancel and delete Azure subscriptions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/cancel-azure-subscription | | Follow best practices to onboard to Microsoft Customer Agreement | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/microsoft-customer-agreement/onboard-microsoft-customer-agreement | | Manually calculate EA savings plan cost savings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/calculate-ea-savings-plan-savings | | Apply centrally managed SQL licenses to Azure usage | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/scope-level/manage-licenses-centrally | | Combine SQL HADR and centrally managed Hybrid Benefit | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/scope-level/sql-server-hadr-licenses | | Plan and implement Azure cost management practices | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/plan-manage-costs | ### Decision Making | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Decide and configure Azure cost allocation rules | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/allocate-costs | | Plan and implement Azure cost allocation strategies | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-allocation-introduction | | Choose and use built-in Cost Analysis views | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-analysis-built-in-views | | Plan migration from EA to MCA Cost Management APIs | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/migrate-cost-management-api | | Decide and manage Azure Enterprise Agreement billing | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/enterprise-agreement-faq | | Understand Azure data transfer fees and scenarios | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/data-transfer-fees | | Decide on Azure EA VM reserved instances savings | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/ea-portal-vm-reservations | | Evaluate Azure EA pricing and usage calculations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/ea-pricing-overview | | Transfer Azure billing ownership to MCA | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mca-request-billing-ownership | | Transition Enterprise Agreement billing to Microsoft Customer Agreement | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/mca-setup-account | | Decide and understand supported Azure product transfers | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/subscription-transfer | | Decide and execute Azure subscription offer changes | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/switch-azure-offer | | Choose and upgrade Azure free or student accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/upgrade-azure-subscription | | Prepare subscriptions for Microsoft Customer Agreement billing migration | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/microsoft-customer-agreement/checklist-microsoft-customer-agreement-billing-migration | | Manage Azure billing as a partner in CSP | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/partner-faq | | Determine which Azure reservation to purchase | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/determine-reservation-purchase | | Manage exchanges and refunds for Azure Reservations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/exchange-and-refund-azure-reservations | | Choose and purchase Microsoft Fabric capacity reservations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/fabric-capacity | | Plan transition from retired Azure Reserved VM Instances | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/manage-legacy-vm-reservations-after-july-1-2026 | | Understand Azure reservation exchange policy changes | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/reservations/reservation-exchange-policy-changes | | Use amortized savings plan costs for chargeback | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/charge-back-costs | | Select optimal Azure savings plan commitment | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/choose-commitment-amount | | Decide between Azure savings plans and reservations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/decide-between-savings-plan-reservation | | Understand how Azure savings plan discounts are applied | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/discount-application | | Interpret and use Azure savings plan recommendations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/purchase-recommendations | | Choose and understand Azure savings plan scopes | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/scope-savings-plan | | Decide and manage scope for Azure Hybrid Benefit | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/scope-level/faq-azure-hybrid-benefit-scope | | Plan transition to centrally managed Azure Hybrid Benefit | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/scope-level/transition-existing | | Assess impact of Azure billing meter ID updates | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/billing-meter-id-updates | | Understand shared Azure billing meter regions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/billing-meter-location | | Understand billing for Azure external service charges | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/understand-azure-marketplace-charges | | Plan migration from SAP HANA Large Instances on Azure | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sap/large-instances/decommission-sap-hana | ### Limits & Quotas | Topic | URL | |-------|-----| | Azure Cost Management and Billing usage limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/cost-management-billing-faq | | Understand Azure Cost Management data timing and granularity | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/understand-cost-mgt-data | | Avoid charges by staying within Azure free account limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/avoid-charges-free-account | | Understand Azure free account credits and duration limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/create-free-services | | Understand and manage Azure subscription spending limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/spending-limit | | Identify Azure savings plan software cost exclusions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/software-costs-not-included | | Check Azure savings plan utilization and data latency | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/savings-plan/view-utilization | | Understand limits when creating multiple Azure subscriptions | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/troubleshoot-subscription/create-subscriptions-deploy-resources | | Understand and avoid dormant Azure billing accounts | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/keep-billing-accounts-active | ### Security | Topic | URL | |-------|-----|