Guide · Open source
How to use azure-quickstart-templates: clone, pick and deploy
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
azure-quickstart-templates is a Microsoft-hosted GitHub repository of Azure Resource Manager templates contributed by the community. This guide is for developers and engineers who want a working starting point for an Azure setup instead of writing infrastructure definitions from scratch. By the end you will know how to get a copy of the repo, what to check before you deploy a template, and where to look when something is unclear.
Azure Quickstart TemplatesAzure/azure-quickstart-templates · ★ 14.9k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Check your prerequisites. Confirm you have an Azure subscription and either Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell installed.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates.git in the folder where you want the repo.
- 3Browse the template index. Search the template index on Microsoft Learn to find a template for your resource type.
- 4Read the template files. Open the template and check its parameters, resources and any links it uses.
- 5Reject external links. Skip or fix any template that loads content from non-Microsoft sources.
- 6Deploy with Azure CLI or PowerShell. Deploy the template to your subscription using your chosen tool.
- 7Adapt for your environment. Change names, locations and settings so the resources fit your needs.
What the repository contains
The repo holds community-contributed Azure Resource Manager templates. Each template describes Azure resources so they can be deployed in a repeatable way. The project is written in Bicep and is licensed under MIT.
A searchable index of the templates is published on Microsoft Learn, which is the easiest way to browse before you clone anything.
- Each template is a starting point, not a finished production solution.
- The README describes these templates as community contributions, so quality and maintenance can vary between them.
What you need before you start
To deploy a template you need an Azure subscription and either the Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell. The repository itself only requires git to copy it to your machine.
- An Azure subscription
- Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell, used to deploy templates
- git, to clone the repository
Clone the repository
The README gives a single clone command. Run it in the folder where you want the repo to live. The install method is clone-and-build, so you work from the local copy.
git clone https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates.gitFind a template that fits your setup
Browse the searchable index on Microsoft Learn or look through the folders in your clone. Pick a template that matches a common Azure setup you need, then read its files before deploying.
Check that the template does not load external scripts or files from non-Microsoft sources. The repo's policy rejects samples with links to non-Microsoft controlled assets such as S3 buckets, non-Microsoft Azure storage accounts or non-Azure git repositories. If a template you are reading uses such links, treat it with caution.
- Use the Microsoft Learn index to search by resource type.
- Read the template's files and parameters before you deploy.
- Avoid templates that pull content from outside Microsoft-controlled sources.
Deploy a template and adapt it
Deploy the template with Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell, using your own subscription. Review the parameters, names and resource settings first, because the template is a starting point and will likely need changes for your environment.
If you need to reference external content, the repo's policy suggests using Bicep modules and file functions, or parameterizing links to external content, rather than hard-coding them.
- Choose Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell for deployment.
- Change names, locations and settings to match your environment.
- Use Bicep modules and file functions instead of hard-coded external links.
Contribute or get help
The README points to a Contribution guide for how to use or contribute to the repo. The project has adopted the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct, and questions about it can go to opencode@microsoft.com.
What people use it for
- Learning how to define Azure resources in Bicep or ARM by reading working examples
- Starting a common Azure setup from a community template instead of a blank file
- Giving an existing Azure deployment team reference examples to compare against
Frequently asked questions
Is azure-quickstart-templates free to use?
The repository is licensed under MIT. You still pay for any Azure resources you deploy from the templates in your own subscription.
What do I need to use azure-quickstart-templates?
You need an Azure subscription and either Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell to deploy templates. You also need git to clone the repository.
How do I install azure-quickstart-templates?
Run git clone https://github.com/Azure/azure-quickstart-templates.git. The project uses a clone-and-build method, so you work from the local copy.
Are the templates tested and maintained?
The README describes these templates as community contributions. Do not assume every template is maintained or tested to the same standard, so review each one before use.
Can I use these templates if I do not use Azure?
No. The templates target Azure Resource Manager, so they are not useful without Azure.
What are alternatives to azure-quickstart-templates?
Comparable options include Azure Verified Modules, Microsoft Bicep examples and Terraform Azure modules. Pick based on whether you use Bicep, ARM or Terraform.
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Our verdict
Use azure-quickstart-templates if you are learning Azure infrastructure in Bicep or ARM, or need a reference for a common setup. Pick something else if you need templates with a consistent maintenance standard, if you do not use Azure, or if you need templates that load external files from non-Microsoft sources.
Install options & downloads