Guide to Accessing the Azure CLI Portal: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Tutorial

Accessing the Azure CLI (Command-Line Interface) portal is a crucial step for managing and deploying resources in the Azure cloud environment. This guide will walk you through the process in a straightforward and user-friendly manner. By following these steps, you will be able to utilize the Azure CLI to execute commands and interact with your Azure resources efficiently.

Step 1: Log into Azure Portal

The first step in accessing the Azure CLI is to log into the Azure Portal. Navigate to Azure Portal and use your Microsoft account or Active Directory (AD) credentials to sign in. Once logged in, you will be directed to the Azure portal dashboard.

Step 2: Open Cloud Shell

After logging in, you will need to open the Cloud Shell. Cloud Shell is an interactive shell environment in the Azure portal that you can use to run Azure CLI commands. Follow these steps to open Cloud Shell:

Locate the Cloud Shell button at the top of the Azure portal. It is represented by a symbol. Click on the button to launch the Cloud Shell window.

Step 3: Accessing the Azure CLI

Once you have opened the Cloud Shell, you are now ready to access the Azure CLI. The following steps will guide you through the process:

In the Cloud Shell window, you will see the welcome message prompting you to create a storage account. A storage account is essential for Azure CLI to persist and manage your commands and configurations. To create a storage account, click on the icon in the left-hand menu. From there, you can follow the prompts to create a new storage account. Once the storage account is created, you will need to select the interface you prefer for using the Azure CLI. You can choose between Bash and PowerShell. Click on the icon to open the desired interface (Bash or PowerShell) within the Cloud Shell window.

Using the Azure CLI for Your Needs

Now that you have successfully opened the Azure CLI, you can start using it to manage your Azure resources. Here are some common commands you might find useful:

az login: Log in to your Microsoft account or Active Directory. az account set -s [Subscription ID]: Set the subscription context for your operations. az group list: List all resource groups in your subscription. az storage account list: List all storage accounts in your subscription. az vm create: Create a new virtual machine.

For detailed information on using the Azure CLI, you can refer to the official Microsoft Azure CLI documentation.

Conclusion

Accessing the Azure CLI portal is a powerful tool for managing and deploying resources in the Azure cloud environment. By following these steps, you can easily open the Cloud Shell and start using the Azure CLI to interact with Azure services. Regularly exploring the Azure CLI and its documentation will help you maximize your productivity and streamline your cloud operations.

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, don't hesitate to visit the Azure Community Support for expert help.