# dataverse-python-authentication-security

Security instructions for the Python Dataverse SDK in GitHub Copilot. Guides token authentication using Azure Identity instead of raw connection strings.

- rule · `type=rule` · GitHub Copilot · ★ 40418
- Author: github · official GitHub repository
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/dataverse-python-authentication-security.instructions.md
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/rules/dataverse-python-authentication-security

## What it does

This rule directs GitHub Copilot to write authentication logic for `PowerPlatform.Dataverse.client` using `azure.identity`. Token credentials replace connection strings. Supported classes include `DefaultAzureCredential` and `ManagedIdentityCredential`.

The primary recommendation is `DefaultAzureCredential`. It checks environment variables, Azure CLI logins, and Managed Identity in order. In addition, the rule tunes `DataverseConfig` with `http_timeout = 30` and three retries with an initial backoff of 1 second.

Authentication fails without the `azure-identity` package. Running unattended tasks on external servers requires an Azure AD app registration and credentials in environment variables.

## Install

### GitHub Copilot (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/instructions/dataverse-python-authentication-security.instructions.md` — The applyTo field sets which files it applies to

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/rules/dataverse-python-authentication-security.md` — The paths frontmatter field limits the files: move applyTo from the source into paths

### Codex

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

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/rules/dataverse-python-authentication-security.mdc` — Frontmatter: description, globs, alwaysApply. Move applyTo from the source into globs, or the rule will not attach on its own

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/rules/dataverse-python-authentication-security.md`

### Cline

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.clinerules/dataverse-python-authentication-security.md`

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/dataverse-python-authentication-security.instructions.md

## When to use it
- Authenticate Python Dataverse clients using Azure Managed Identity
- Configure DefaultAzureCredential for local and cloud environments
- Set request timeouts and retry logic in DataverseConfig
- Replace connection strings with token-based Azure credentials

## Example prompts
- Connect to Dataverse with DefaultAzureCredential and customize HTTP retries
- Implement ManagedIdentityCredential for a Dataverse client in Azure App Service
- Write a background Python script connecting to Dataverse via ClientSecretCredential

## Source text · dataverse-python-authentication-security.instructions.md · MIT

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BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 9cf0ce3e97a8930c
````text
---
applyTo: '**'
---

# Dataverse SDK for Python — Authentication & Security Patterns

Based on official Microsoft Azure SDK authentication documentation and Dataverse SDK best practices.

## 1. Authentication Overview

The Dataverse SDK for Python uses Azure Identity credentials for token-based authentication. This approach follows the principle of least privilege and works across local development, cloud deployment, and on-premises environments.

### Why Token-Based Authentication?

**Advantages over connection strings**:
- Establishes specific permissions needed by your app (principle of least privilege)
- Credentials are scoped only to intended apps
- With managed identity, no secrets to store or compromise
- Works seamlessly across environments without code changes

---

## 2. Credential Types & Selection

### Interactive Browser Credential (Local Development)

**Use for**: Developer workstations during local development.

```python
from azure.identity import InteractiveBrowserCredential
from PowerPlatform.Dataverse.client import DataverseClient

# Opens browser for authentication
credential = InteractiveBrowserCredential()
client = DataverseClient(
    base_url="https://myorg.crm.dynamics.com",
    credential=credential
)

# First use prompts for sign-in; subsequent calls use cached token
records = client.get("account")
```

**When to use**:
- ✅ Interactive development and testing
- ✅ Desktop applications with UI
- ❌ Background services or scheduled jobs

---

### Default Azure Credential (Recommended for All Environments)

**Use for**: Apps that run in multiple environments (dev → test → production).

```python
from azure.identity import DefaultAzureCredential
from PowerPlatform.Dataverse.client import DataverseClient

# Attempts credentials in this order:
# 1. Environment variables (app service principal)
# 2. Azure CLI credentials (local development)
# 3. Azure PowerShell credentials (local development)
# 4. Managed identity (when running in Azure)
credential = DefaultAzureCredential()

client = DataverseClient(
    base_url="https://myorg.crm.dynamics.com",
    credential=credential
)

records = client.get("account")
```

**Advantages**:
- Single code path works everywhere
- No environment-specific logic needed
- Automatically detects available credentials
- Preferred for production apps

**Credential chain**:
1. Environment variables (`AZURE_CLIENT_ID`, `AZURE_TENANT_ID`, `AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET`)
2. Visual Studio Code login
3. Azure CLI (`az login`)
4. Azure PowerShell (`Connect-AzAccount`)
5. Managed identity (on Azure VMs, App Service, AKS, etc.)

---

### Client Secret Credential (Service Principal)

**Use for**: Unattended authentication (scheduled jobs, scripts, on-premises services).

```python
from azure.identity import ClientSecretCredential
from PowerPlatform.Dataverse.client import DataverseClient
import os

credential = ClientSecretCredential(
    tenant_id=os.environ["AZURE_TENANT_ID"],
    client_id=os.environ["AZURE_CLIENT_ID"],
    client_secret=os.environ["AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET"]
)

client = DataverseClient(
    base_url="https://myorg.crm.dynamics.com",
    credential=credential
)

records = client.get("account")
```

**Setup steps**:
1. Create app registration in Azure AD
2. Create client secret (keep secure!)
3. Grant Dataverse permissions to the app
4. Store credentials in environment variables or secure vault

**Security concerns**:
- ⚠️ Never hardcode credentials in source code
- ⚠️ Store secrets in Azure Key Vault or environment variables
- ⚠️ Rotate credentials regularly
````
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First 3591 of 13451 bytes. © github · MIT · https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/dataverse-python-authentication-security.instructions.md

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