Azure CLI installation and login - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Azure CLI installation and login

Start

↓

Download Azure CLI

↓

Install Azure CLI

↓

Open Terminal

↓

Run 'az login'

↓

Browser Opens for Login

↓

Enter Credentials

↓

Login Success

↓

Ready to use Azure CLI

This flow shows the steps from downloading and installing Azure CLI to logging in and being ready to use it.

Execution Sample

Azure

curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash
az login

Installs Azure CLI on Debian-based Linux and then logs in using the CLI.

Process Table

Step	Action	Command/Result	Output/State
1	Download and install Azure CLI	curl -sL https://aka.ms/InstallAzureCLIDeb | sudo bash	Azure CLI installed successfully
2	Open terminal	User opens terminal	Terminal ready
3	Run login command	az login	Browser opens for authentication
4	Enter credentials in browser	User inputs username and password	Authentication successful
5	CLI receives token	az login completes	Logged in, subscription info displayed
6	Ready to use Azure CLI	az account show	Shows current subscription details

💡 Login completes successfully, Azure CLI ready for commands

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 3	After Step 5	Final
Azure CLI Installed	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
User Logged In	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Access Token	None	None	None	Valid Token	Valid Token

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the browser open after running 'az login'?

The browser opens to let you securely enter your Azure credentials; this step is shown in execution_table row 3 and 4.

What happens if Azure CLI is not installed before running 'az login'?

The command will fail because the CLI is not available; installation must happen first as shown in execution_table step 1.

How do you know login was successful?

After entering credentials, the CLI shows subscription info and a valid token is stored, as seen in execution_table step 5 and variable_tracker.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the output after running the install command?

A Azure CLI installed successfully

B Browser opens for authentication

C Logged in, subscription info displayed

D Terminal ready

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 1 under Output/State

At which step does the user enter their Azure credentials?

A Step 2

B Step 3

C Step 4

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at execution_table row 4 Action and Command/Result

If the Azure CLI is not installed, what will happen when you run 'az login'?

A Login succeeds immediately

B Command not found error

C Browser opens but login fails

D Subscription info displays

💡 Hint

Refer to key_moments about installation necessity and execution_table step 1

Concept Snapshot

Azure CLI installation and login:
1. Download and install Azure CLI.
2. Open terminal and run 'az login'.
3. Browser opens for secure login.
4. Enter credentials to authenticate.
5. CLI stores token and shows subscription info.
Ready to manage Azure resources via CLI.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to install Azure CLI and log in. First, you download and install the CLI tool. Then you open your terminal and run 'az login'. This command opens a browser window where you enter your Azure username and password. After successful authentication, the CLI receives a token and displays your subscription details. Now you can use Azure CLI commands to manage your cloud resources.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Azure CLI tool?

easy

A. To manage Azure resources from your computer

B. To create virtual machines automatically

C. To write code in the cloud

D. To monitor internet speed

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Azure CLI functionality

   Azure CLI is designed to let users manage Azure cloud resources easily from their local machine.

2. Step 2: Compare options with purpose

   Only To manage Azure resources from your computer correctly describes this purpose; others describe unrelated tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To manage Azure resources from your computer -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Azure CLI = Manage Azure resources [OK]

Hint: Azure CLI is for managing Azure, not coding or speed tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Azure CLI writes code
• Confusing Azure CLI with monitoring tools
• Assuming it only creates virtual machines

2. Which command correctly starts the Azure CLI login process?

easy

A. az start

B. az login

C. azure login

D. az connect

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Azure CLI login command

   The official command to sign in is az login.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Options B, C, and D are incorrect or invalid commands.

3. Final Answer:

   az login -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Login command = az login [OK]

Hint: Login always uses 'az login' command [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'azure login' instead of 'az login'
• Trying 'az start' or 'az connect' which don't exist
• Typing commands with wrong spelling

3. What happens after you run az login in your terminal?

medium

A. You are prompted to open a browser and enter a code to authenticate

B. Azure CLI immediately shows your subscription details

C. The CLI installs Azure services automatically

D. Your computer restarts to complete login

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the login flow

   Running az login opens a prompt with a code and URL for browser authentication.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Options A, C, and D describe incorrect or unrelated behaviors.

3. Final Answer:

   You are prompted to open a browser and enter a code to authenticate -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   az login = browser code prompt [OK]

Hint: Login needs browser code entry, not instant details [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting immediate subscription info
• Thinking CLI installs services automatically
• Believing computer restarts after login

4. You ran az login but get an error saying 'command not found'. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You need to restart your computer first

B. You typed the command incorrectly as 'az logon'

C. Your internet connection is down

D. Azure CLI is not installed or not added to system PATH

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the error message

   'command not found' means the system cannot find the Azure CLI program.

2. Step 2: Identify common causes

   This usually happens if Azure CLI is not installed or its folder is not in the system PATH.

3. Final Answer:

   Azure CLI is not installed or not added to system PATH -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Command not found = CLI missing or PATH issue [OK]

Hint: Check installation and PATH if 'command not found' error appears [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming internet causes 'command not found'
• Thinking a restart fixes missing command
• Confusing 'az login' with 'az logon'

5. You want to automate Azure login in a script without opening a browser. Which method should you use?

hard

A. Install Azure CLI and skip login step

B. Run az login and manually enter credentials each time

C. Use a service principal with az login --service-principal

D. Use az login --interactive to avoid browser

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand automation needs

   Automated scripts cannot handle interactive browser login, so a non-interactive method is needed.

2. Step 2: Identify correct login method

   Using a service principal with az login --service-principal allows script-based login without browser.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   A skips login which fails commands, B requires manual input, D still opens browser.

4. Final Answer:

   Use a service principal with az login --service-principal -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Automate login = service principal login [OK]

Hint: Automate login with service principal, not interactive login [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying interactive login in scripts
• Skipping login step in automation
• Confusing service principal with user login