azure-sql-virtual-machines
Expert knowledge for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when planning SQL VM vs Managed Instance, Always On/FCI HADR, DTU/capacity, AHB licensing, or Blob backups, and other SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines related development tasks. Not for Azure SQL Database (use azure-sql-database), Azure SQL Managed Instance (use azure-sql-managed-instance), Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-virtual-machin
npx skills add MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills --skill azure-sql-virtual-machines --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
What it does
Keeps expert guidance for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It targets tasks like planning SQL VM vs MI, HADR, licensing, backups, and related development work. It instructs agents to use a category index to locate relevant sections and to fetch remote documentation via mcp_microsoftdocs or fetch_webpage when necessary. It clarifies that the skill is not for Azure SQL Database, MI, or other services and provides links to many topic-specific references.
How it works
The agent uses a Category Index to locate sections. For line ranges (e.g., L35-L120), the agent should read the file at the specified lines with read_file. For categories with links (e.g., security.md), the agent should read the linked reference file via read_file. If metadata.generated_at is older than 3 months, suggest pulling the latest version. If mcp_microsoftdocs tools are unavailable, suggest installing them. The skill requires network access and prefers mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch with query from=learn-agent-skill, or falls back to fetch_webpage with from=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. It provides a Category Index with sections such as Troubleshooting, Best Practices, Decision Making, Architecture & Design Patterns, Limits & Quotas, Security, Configuration, Integrations & Coding Patterns, and Deployment, each containing topic links and URLs.
When to use it
Use when planning SQL VM vs Managed Instance, Always On/FCI HADR, DTU/capacity, Azure Hybrid Benefit licensing, Blob backups, or other SQL Server on Azure VM related development tasks. The skill explicitly notes it is not for Azure SQL Database, MI, or other services.
What it can touch
The skill declares tools: claude-code, copilot, codex. It requires network access and uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation.
Caveats
License: CC-BY-4.0. It relies on external documentation links and remote content; outcomes depend on availability of remote sources.
# SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines Skill This skill provides expert guidance for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities. ## How to Use This Skill > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: Use the **Category Index** below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g., `L35-L120`), use `read_file` with the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g., `[security.md](security.md)`), use `read_file` on the linked reference file > **IMPORTANT for Agent**: If `metadata.generated_at` is more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. If `mcp_microsoftdocs` tools are not available, suggest the user install it: [Installation Guide](https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/mcp/blob/main/README.md) This skill requires **network access** to fetch documentation content: - **Preferred**: Use `mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch` with query string `from=learn-agent-skill`. Returns M
- How to Use This Skill
- Category Index
- Troubleshooting
- Best Practices
- Decision Making
- Architecture & Design Patterns
- Limits & Quotas
- Security
- Configuration
- Integrations & Coding Patterns
- Deployment
What does the azure-sql-virtual-machines skill do?
Expert knowledge for SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when planning SQL VM vs Managed Instance, Always On/FCI HADR, DTU/capacity, AHB licensing, or Blob backups, and other SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines related development tasks. Not for Azure SQL Database (use azure-sql-database), Azure SQL Managed Instance (use azure-sql-managed-instance), Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-virtual-machin
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills --skill azure-sql-virtual-machines --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills, a repository with 682 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.