# azure-pipelines

Enforces best practices for Azure DevOps YAML pipelines, covering multi-stage setups, templates, caching, and secret handling.

- rule · `type=rule` · Cursor · ★ 3580
- Author: sanjeed5
- License: CC0-1.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/azure-pipelines.mdc
- Updated: 2026-05-19
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/rules/azure-pipelines

## What it does

This rule guides Cursor to write modular Azure DevOps pipelines rather than monolithic scripts. It organizes workflows into distinct stages like Build, Test, and Deploy, managing artifacts and execution order through `dependsOn` gates. Common build logic gets extracted into reusable YAML templates with parameters.

For pipeline security, the rule avoids plaintext secrets by mandating Azure Key Vault integration with Variable Groups. It also favors Workload Identity Federation (OIDC) over static service principal client secrets. Without federated credentials configured in Azure DevOps, deployment connections generated under this pattern cannot authenticate.

Build execution gets optimized using the `Cache@2` task for npm and NuGet dependencies. Independent jobs run concurrently using `dependsOn: []` to cut total run time.

## Requirements
- Works with: Azure

## Install

### Cursor (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/rules/azure-pipelines.mdc` — Frontmatter: description, globs, alwaysApply

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/rules/azure-pipelines.md` — The paths frontmatter field limits the files: move globs from the source into paths

### Codex

**AGENTS.md**
- Codex reads AGENTS.md: paste the rule text there

### GitHub Copilot

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/instructions/azure-pipelines.instructions.md` — The applyTo field sets which files it applies to: move globs from the source into applyTo

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/rules/azure-pipelines.md`

### Cline

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.clinerules/azure-pipelines.md`

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/azure-pipelines.mdc

## When to use it
- Split monolithic pipeline jobs into distinct build, test, and deploy stages
- Extract repeated pipeline logic into reusable YAML templates
- Configure package caching for npm and NuGet with `Cache@2`
- Protect sensitive credentials using Azure Key Vault linked to variable groups
- Parallelize independent validation jobs to reduce execution time

## Example prompts
- Refactor this monolithic azure-pipelines.yml into separate stages with artifact passing
- Create a reusable YAML template for building Node.js services with an appName parameter
- Add dependency caching to my build pipeline using the Cache@2 task

## Source text · azure-pipelines.mdc · CC0-1.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 524547600f9b1995.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 524547600f9b1995
````text
---
description: This guide provides opinionated, actionable best practices for writing secure, performant, and maintainable Azure Pipelines using YAML, focusing on modern CI/CD patterns and common pitfalls.
globs: **/*
---
# azure-pipelines Best Practices

Azure Pipelines are the backbone of modern CI/CD. This guide enforces a YAML-first, security-conscious, and highly automated approach to pipeline development.

## Code Organization and Structure

Always define pipelines using YAML for version control, reusability, and clarity. Structure your pipelines using multi-stage designs and leverage templates for common patterns.

### 1. Embrace Multi-Stage Pipelines

Separate distinct phases (Build, Test, Deploy) into stages. This provides clear logical separation, enables independent quality gates, and improves visibility.

❌ BAD: Monolithic pipeline with all steps in one job.

```yaml
# azure-pipelines.yml
jobs:
- job: BuildAndDeploy
  steps:
  - script: dotnet build
  - script: dotnet test
  - script: az webapp deploy
```

✅ GOOD: Clearly defined stages for build, test, and deployment.

```yaml
# azure-pipelines.yml
stages:
- stage: Build
  jobs:
  - job: BuildApp
    steps:
    - script: dotnet build
    - publish: $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)
      artifact: drop

- stage: Test
  dependsOn: Build
  jobs:
  - job: RunTests
    steps:
    - download: current
      artifact: drop
    - script: dotnet test --logger "trx;LogFileName=test-results.trx"
    - task: PublishTestResults@2
      inputs:
        testResultsFormat: 'VSTest'
        testResultsFiles: '**/*.trx'

- stage: Deploy
  dependsOn: Test
  condition: succeeded('Test') # Only deploy if tests pass
  jobs:
  - deployment: DeployApp
    environment: 'Production' # Use environments for approvals and checks
    strategy:
      runOnce:
        deploy:
          steps:
          - download: current
            artifact: drop
          - script: az webapp deploy --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name MyApp --src-path $(Pipeline.Workspace)/drop
```

### 2. Leverage Templates for Reusability

Define common stages, jobs, or steps in reusable templates. This keeps your pipelines DRY, consistent, and easier to maintain.

❌ BAD: Copy-pasting build steps across multiple `azure-pipelines.yml` files.

```yaml
# service-a/azure-pipelines.yml
stages:
- stage: Build
  jobs:
  - job: BuildServiceA
    steps:
    - script: npm install
    - script: npm run build
    # ... more steps
```

```yaml
# service-b/azure-pipelines.yml
stages:
- stage: Build
  jobs:
  - job: BuildServiceB
    steps:
    - script: npm install
    - script: npm run build
    # ... identical steps
```

✅ GOOD: Centralize common build logic in a template.

```yaml
# templates/build-node-app.yml
parameters:
- name: appName
  type: string
  default: 'app'

jobs:
- job: BuildNodeApp
  displayName: Build ${{ parameters.appName }}
  steps:
  - task: NodeTool@0
    inputs:
      versionSpec: '18.x'
    displayName: 'Install Node.js'
  - script: npm install
    displayName: 'Install Dependencies'
  - script: npm run build
    displayName: 'Build App'
  - publish: $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)
    artifact: drop-${{ parameters.appName }}
    displayName: 'Publish Build Artifact'
```

```yaml
# service-a/azure-pipelines.yml
stages:
- stage: Build
  jobs:
  - template: ../templates/build-node-app.yml
    parameters:
      appName: ServiceA
```

```yaml
# service-b/azure-pipelines.yml
stages:
- stage: Build
  jobs:
  - template: ../templates/build-node-app.yml
    parameters:
      appName: ServiceB
```

## Common Patterns and Anti-patterns

### 3. Secure Secrets with Azure Key Vault
````
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