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/azure-pipelines-generator

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by Akin Ozerakin-ozer/cc-devops-skills316 stars
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Generate/create/scaffold azure-pipelines.yml, stages, jobs, steps, or reusable templates.

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docstasks-reference.md

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Azure Pipelines Tasks Reference

This document provides a reference for commonly used built-in Azure Pipelines tasks.

How to Use This Reference

Use this deterministic flow:

  1. Start from Task Syntax.
  2. Jump to only the task family needed for the current pipeline.
  3. Copy a minimal example and adjust inputs.
  4. Keep task major versions pinned (Task@N).
  5. Validate with azure-pipelines-validator after editing.

Fallback behavior:

  • If a required task is not listed here, look up official docs (Microsoft Learn) and note the source.
  • If external lookup is unavailable, keep the nearest known task pattern and mark uncertainty in assumptions.
  • If input compatibility is unclear, prefer the latest documented stable major and avoid undocumented inputs.

Task Syntax

- task: TaskName@MajorVersion
  displayName: 'Human Readable Name'
  inputs:
    inputName: value
    anotherInput: value
  condition: succeeded()
  continueOnError: false
  enabled: true
  env:
    ENV_VAR: value
  timeoutInMinutes: 0

.NET/C# Tasks

DotNetCoreCLI@2

Build, test, package, or publish a .NET Core project.

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Restore NuGet packages'
  inputs:
    command: 'restore'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Build'
  inputs:
    command: 'build'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Run Tests'
  inputs:
    command: 'test'
    projects: '**/*Tests/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release --collect:"XPlat Code Coverage"'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Publish'
  inputs:
    command: 'publish'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release --output $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    zipAfterPublish: true

NuGetCommand@2

Restore, pack, or push NuGet packages.

- task: NuGetCommand@2
  displayName: 'NuGet restore'
  inputs:
    command: 'restore'
    restoreSolution: '**/*.sln'

- task: NuGetCommand@2
  displayName: 'NuGet pack'
  inputs:
    command: 'pack'
    packagesToPack: '**/*.nuspec'
    versioningScheme: 'byBuildNumber'

Node.js/JavaScript Tasks

NodeTool@0

Install a specific Node.js version.

- task: NodeTool@0
  displayName: 'Use Node.js 20.x'
  inputs:
    versionSpec: '20.x'

Npm@1

Run npm commands.

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm install'
  inputs:
    command: 'install'

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm run build'
  inputs:
    command: 'custom'
    customCommand: 'run build'

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm test'
  inputs:
    command: 'custom'
    customCommand: 'run test'

Python Tasks

UsePythonVersion@0

Select a Python version to run on an agent.

- task: UsePythonVersion@0
  displayName: 'Use Python 3.11'
  inputs:
    versionSpec: '3.11'
    addToPath: true
    architecture: 'x64'

Pip@1 / Script

Install Python packages.

- script: |
    python -m pip install --upgrade pip
    pip install -r requirements.txt
  displayName: 'Install dependencies'

- script: pytest tests/ --junitxml=junit/test-results.xml
  displayName: 'Run tests'

Docker Tasks

Docker@2

Build, push, or run Docker images.

# Login to registry
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Docker Login'
  inputs:
    command: 'login'
    containerRegistry: 'myDockerRegistryServiceConnection'

# Build image
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Build Docker image'
  inputs:
    command: 'build'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    dockerfile: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/Dockerfile'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      $(Build.SourceVersion)

# Push image
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Push Docker image'
  inputs:
    command: 'push'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      $(Build.SourceVersion)

# Build and push (combined)
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Build and Push'
  inputs:
    command: 'buildAndPush'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    dockerfile: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/Dockerfile'
    containerRegistry: 'myDockerRegistryServiceConnection'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      $(Build.SourceVersion)

DockerCompose@0

Build, push, or run multi-container Docker applications.

- task: DockerCompose@0
  displayName: 'Run Docker Compose'
  inputs:
    action: 'Run services'
    dockerComposeFile: 'docker-compose.yml'
    projectName: '$(Build.Repository.Name)'
    qualifyImageNames: true
    buildImages: true

Kubernetes Tasks

Kubernetes@1

Deploy, configure, or update a Kubernetes cluster.

- task: Kubernetes@1
  displayName: 'kubectl apply'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceEndpoint: 'myK8sConnection'
    command: 'apply'
    arguments: '-f manifests/'

- task: Kubernetes@1
  displayName: 'kubectl set image'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceEndpoint: 'myK8sConnection'
    command: 'set'
    arguments: 'image deployment/myapp myapp=$(containerRegistry)/myimage:$(Build.BuildId)'

KubernetesManifest@0

Bake and deploy Kubernetes manifests.

- task: KubernetesManifest@0
  displayName: 'Deploy to Kubernetes'
  inputs:
    action: 'deploy'
    kubernetesServiceConnection: 'myK8sConnection'
    namespace: 'production'
    manifests: |
      manifests/deployment.yml
      manifests/service.yml
    containers: '$(containerRegistry)/myimage:$(Build.BuildId)'

HelmDeploy@0

Deploy using Helm charts.

- task: HelmDeploy@0
  displayName: 'Helm deploy'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceConnection: 'myK8sConnection'
    namespace: 'production'
    command: 'upgrade'
    chartType: 'FilePath'
    chartPath: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/charts/myapp'
    releaseName: 'myapp'
    arguments: '--set image.tag=$(Build.BuildId)'

Azure Tasks

AzureCLI@2

Run Azure CLI commands.

- task: AzureCLI@2
  displayName: 'Azure CLI'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    scriptType: 'bash'
    scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
    inlineScript: |
      az --version
      az account show

AzurePowerShell@5

Run Azure PowerShell commands.

- task: AzurePowerShell@5
  displayName: 'Azure PowerShell'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    scriptType: 'inlineScript'
    inline: |
      Get-AzResourceGroup
    azurePowerShellVersion: 'LatestVersion'

AzureWebApp@1

Deploy to Azure App Service.

- task: AzureWebApp@1
  displayName: 'Deploy to Azure Web App'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'webAppLinux'
    appName: 'mywebapp'
    package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

AzureFunctionApp@1

Deploy to Azure Functions.

- task: AzureFunctionApp@1
  displayName: 'Deploy Azure Function'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'functionAppLinux'
    appName: 'myfunctionapp'
    package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4

Advanced Azure App Service deployment.

- task: AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4
  displayName: 'Azure App Service Deploy'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'webAppLinux'
    WebAppName: 'mywebapp'
    packageForLinux: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
    RuntimeStack: 'NODE|20-lts'

Build and Artifact Tasks

PublishBuildArtifacts@1

Publish build artifacts to Azure Pipelines.

- task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
  displayName: 'Publish Artifact: drop'
  inputs:
    PathtoPublish: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    ArtifactName: 'drop'
    publishLocation: 'Container'

DownloadBuildArtifacts@1

Download build artifacts.

- task: DownloadBuildArtifacts@1
  displayName: 'Download Build Artifacts'
  inputs:
    buildType: 'current'
    downloadType: 'single'
    artifactName: 'drop'
    downloadPath: '$(System.ArtifactsDirectory)'

PublishPipelineArtifact@1

Publish artifacts (preferred over PublishBuildArtifacts).

- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
  displayName: 'Publish Pipeline Artifact'
  inputs:
    targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    artifact: 'drop'
    publishLocation: 'pipeline'

DownloadPipelineArtifact@2

Download pipeline artifacts (preferred over DownloadBuildArtifacts).

- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2
  displayName: 'Download Pipeline Artifact'
  inputs:
    buildType: 'current'
    artifactName: 'drop'
    targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Test and Code Coverage Tasks

PublishTestResults@2

Publish test results.

- task: PublishTestResults@2
  displayName: 'Publish Test Results'
  inputs:
    testResultsFormat: 'JUnit'
    testResultsFiles: '**/test-results.xml'
    searchFolder: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)'
    mergeTestResults: true
    failTaskOnFailedTests: true

PublishCodeCoverageResults@1

Publish code coverage results.

- task: PublishCodeCoverageResults@1
  displayName: 'Publish Code Coverage'
  inputs:
    codeCoverageTool: 'Cobertura'
    summaryFileLocation: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/coverage.xml'
    reportDirectory: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/htmlcov'

Utility Tasks

CopyFiles@2

Copy files to a target folder.

- task: CopyFiles@2
  displayName: 'Copy Files'
  inputs:
    SourceFolder: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    Contents: |
      **/*.js
      **/*.json
      !node_modules/**
    TargetFolder: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    CleanTargetFolder: true

DeleteFiles@1

Delete files from the agent.

- task: DeleteFiles@1
  displayName: 'Delete Files'
  inputs:
    SourceFolder: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    Contents: |
      **/node_modules
      **/temp

Cache@2

Cache files and restore them in future runs.

- task: Cache@2
  displayName: 'Cache npm'
  inputs:
    key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'
    restoreKeys: |
      npm | "$(Agent.OS)"
    path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm

- task: Cache@2
  displayName: 'Cache Maven'
  inputs:
    key: 'maven | "$(Agent.OS)" | **/pom.xml'
    restoreKeys: |
      maven | "$(Agent.OS)"
    path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.m2/repository

PowerShell@2 / Bash@3

Run PowerShell or Bash scripts.

- task: PowerShell@2
  displayName: 'Run PowerShell Script'
  inputs:
    targetType: 'inline'
    script: |
      Write-Host "Running PowerShell"
      Get-ChildItem -Path $(Build.SourcesDirectory)

- task: Bash@3
  displayName: 'Run Bash Script'
  inputs:
    targetType: 'inline'
    script: |
      echo "Running Bash"
      ls -la $(Build.SourcesDirectory)

Security Tasks

SonarCloudPrepare@1 / SonarCloudAnalyze@1

SonarCloud code analysis.

- task: SonarCloudPrepare@1
  inputs:
    SonarCloud: 'SonarCloud'
    organization: 'myorg'
    scannerMode: 'CLI'
    configMode: 'manual'
    cliProjectKey: 'myproject'
    cliProjectName: 'My Project'

- task: SonarCloudAnalyze@1
  displayName: 'Run SonarCloud Analysis'

- task: SonarCloudPublish@1
  displayName: 'Publish SonarCloud Results'
  inputs:
    pollingTimeoutSec: '300'

WhiteSource@21

WhiteSource security and license scanning.

- task: WhiteSource@21
  inputs:
    cwd: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    projectName: 'MyProject'

Version Control Tasks

GitHubRelease@1

Create a GitHub release.

- task: GitHubRelease@1
  displayName: 'Create GitHub Release'
  inputs:
    gitHubConnection: 'GitHubServiceConnection'
    repositoryName: '$(Build.Repository.Name)'
    action: 'create'
    target: '$(Build.SourceVersion)'
    tagSource: 'gitTag'
    tag: '$(Build.BuildNumber)'
    title: 'Release $(Build.BuildNumber)'
    releaseNotesSource: 'inline'
    releaseNotesInline: 'Release notes here'
    assets: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**'

Best Practices

  1. Pin task versions: Always specify the task major version and use the latest supported major for that task (for example, Docker@2; @0 is valid when that task only ships major 0)
  2. Use displayName: Add clear display names for all tasks
  3. Cache dependencies: Use Cache@2 for package managers
  4. Use conditions: Control task execution with conditions
  5. Set timeouts: Prevent hung tasks with timeoutInMinutes
  6. Use service connections: Store credentials in service connections, not in pipeline
  7. Publish test results: Always publish test results for visibility
  8. Use artifact tasks: Prefer PublishPipelineArtifact over PublishBuildArtifacts
  9. Error handling: Use continueOnError for non-critical tasks
  10. Environment variables: Pass sensitive data via env, not as task inputs

Finding Task Documentation

For detailed task documentation, use this order:

  1. Context7: Resolve library ID, then query task-specific docs.
  2. Official Task Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/pipelines/tasks/reference/
  3. Task Source Code: https://github.com/microsoft/azure-pipelines-tasks
  4. Targeted web search: "[TaskName] Azure Pipelines task documentation" (prefer Microsoft Learn URLs)

Task Versioning

Tasks follow semantic versioning:

# Major version (recommended)
- task: TaskName@2

# Full version (for specific fixes)
- task: TaskName@2.3.1

Pin a known-compatible major version for your environment. Upgrade deliberately after compatibility checks.

Custom Tasks

You can also create and use custom tasks from:

  • Azure DevOps Marketplace
  • Private extensions
  • YAML templates
# Marketplace task
- task: PublisherName.ExtensionName.TaskName@version

# Template as reusable task
- template: templates/my-custom-task.yml
  parameters:
    parameter1: value

Done Criteria

Use of this reference is complete when:

  • The selected task examples match the requested pipeline mode.
  • Task majors are pinned and inputs are explicitly set where required.
  • Any missing-task assumptions or external-source lookups are documented.
  • The resulting pipeline is validated with azure-pipelines-validator (or documented manual fallback).

Source: SKILL.md on GitHub

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    The skill is a generator for Azure Pipelines YAML configurations with a strong focus on security and reliability. It includes extensive documentation, best practices, and a mandatory validation workflow. The skill explicitly forbids dangerous patterns like hardcoded secrets and requires pinning task versions and images. All command executions and network operations identified in the examples are standard practices for continuous integration and deployment.

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Provenance

Signed by skilld at 1b2342a. This ties the file your Agent reads to that commit on GitHub. It does not review the instructions.

Last checked against GitHub 2 months ago.

Steadyupdated 7 months ago

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