azure-cost — Claude Code plugin: what it does, how to install
This plugin analyzes Azure spending, estimates future costs, explores optimization options, and supports budget governance through Azure Resource Manager MCP.
/plugin marketplace add microsoft/skills
/plugin install azure-cost@skillsWhat azure-cost does
azure-cost includes four skills. cost-analysis handles cost queries, investigations, and AKS cost analysis. cost-estimation covers forecasts and pricing estimates, while cost-optimization examines savings options and commitments. cost-governance works with budget health, budget setup, and cost guardrails.
The plugin connects to https://mcp.management.azure.com and opts into the CostManagement toolset. Core tools enabled by default are query_costs, query_aks_costs, get_retail_prices, start_pricesheet_download, and get_pricesheet_status. Forecasts, budgets, alerts, and benefit analysis use opt-in Cost Management operations.
Its track-telemetry hook can install a pinned ghcfa-telem release, verify the platform-specific SHA-256 digest, and cache the executable. Set AZURE_MCP_COLLECT_TELEMETRY=false in the agent process environment to opt out of telemetry collection.
What it helps with
- query Azure spending
- investigate AKS costs
- forecast resource pricing
- compare commitments for optimization
- set up budgets and cost guardrails
Example prompts for the agent
- Analyze Azure spending for the selected period and identify the main cost drivers.
- Estimate the Azure price for this resource plan and prepare a forecast.
- Check budget health and suggest cost guardrails.
How to install azure-cost
Plugin marketplace
/plugin marketplace add microsoft/skills/plugin install azure-cost@skillsStep by step, with commands for each platform: Claude Code plugins: marketplaces, installing, and building your own
Questions about azure-cost
How do I install azure-cost in Claude Code?
Add the marketplace with /plugin marketplace add microsoft/skills, then install the plugin with /plugin install azure-cost@skills.
What does azure-cost do?
It provides skills for Azure cost analysis, pricing estimates, commitment analysis, and budget governance. The workflows use Azure Resource Manager MCP.
Which Azure tools are enabled by default?
The default toolset includes query_costs, query_aks_costs, get_retail_prices, start_pricesheet_download, and get_pricesheet_status. Forecast, budget, alert, and benefit-analysis operations are opt-in.
Source text
azure-cost · MIT
# Azure Cost Azure cost analysis, estimation, optimization, and governance skills backed by the Azure Resource Manager MCP server. ## Telemetry The `track-telemetry` hook installs a pinned native `ghcfa-telem` release asset when needed, verifies its platform-specific SHA-256 digest before extraction, and caches the executable for reuse. To opt out of telemetry collection, set `AZURE_MCP_COLLECT_TELEMETRY=false` in the environment of the process running the agent. ## Skills | Skill | Workflows | |-------|-----------| | **cost-analysis** | Cost query, cost investigation, and AKS cost analysis | | **cost-estimation** | Cost forecast and pricing estimate | | **cost-optimization** | Cost optimization and commitment analysis | | **cost-governance** | Budget health, budget setup, and cost guardrails | ## Install or migrate In Copilot CLI: 1. Add the marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add microsoft/azure-skills` 2. Install this plugin: `/plugin install azure-cost@azure-skills` 3. Update it later with `/plugin update azure-cost@azure-skills` ## MCP server The plugin connects to `https://mcp.management.azure.com` and opts into the `CostManagement` toolset. Core query and pricing tools are enabled by default: `query_costs`, `query_aks_costs`, `get_retail_prices`, `start_pricesheet_download`, and `get_pricesheet_status`. Opt-in Cost Management operations support forecasts, budgets, alerts, and benefit analysis.
© Microsoft · MIT · microsoft/skills
