HowTo: Use Azure CLI to Create Azure Container Apps

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๐Ÿ“‘ Table of Contents

๐ŸŽฏ Overview

This guide demonstrates how to use the Azure Command-Line Interface (Azure CLI) to create and deploy an Azure Container App. Azure Container Apps is a fully managed serverless container service that enables you to run microservices and containerized applications on a serverless platform.

By following this tutorial, you will learn how to:

  • Authenticate with Azure using the CLI
  • Set up the necessary Azure resources
  • Create a Container App environment
  • Deploy a containerized application

This approach is ideal for developers who prefer command-line tools and automation over using the Azure Portal.

๐Ÿ“‹ Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • Azure CLI installed on your machine
  • An active Azure subscription
  • Your Azure tenant ID
  • Basic understanding of container concepts

๐Ÿš€ Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Authenticate with Azure

First, log in to your Azure account using device code authentication. This method is particularly useful when working in environments where interactive browser login isnโ€™t available.

az login -t <your-tenant-id> --use-device-code

Azure Login

Step 2: Create a Resource Group

Create a resource group to organize and manage your Azure Container App resources. This example uses the Italy North region.

az group create --location italynorth --name diginsighttools-testmc-rg-01

Create Resource Group

Step 3: Install Container App Extension

Add the Container App extension to Azure CLI. The --upgrade flag ensures you have the latest version.

az extension add --name containerapp --upgrade

Add Container App Extension

Step 4: Create Container App Environment

Create a Container App environment, which provides a secure boundary around a group of container apps. These apps share the same virtual network and write logs to the same Log Analytics workspace.

az containerapp env create --name diginsighttools-testmc-cae-01 --resource-group diginsighttools-testmc-rg-01 --location italynorth

Create Container App Environment

Step 5: Deploy the Container App

Finally, create and deploy your container app using a sample โ€œHello Worldโ€ image from Microsoft. This command configures external ingress on port 80 and returns the fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

az containerapp create --name diginsighttools-testmc-ca-01 --resource-group diginsighttools-testmc-rg-01 --environment diginsighttools-testmc-cae-01 --image mcr.microsoft.com/azuredocs/containerapps-helloworld:latest --target-port 80 --ingress 'external' --query properties.configuration.ingress.fqdn

Create Container App

After successful deployment, you can access your application using the FQDN returned by the command.

๐Ÿ”— References

Official Azure Documentation

  • Azure Container Apps Overview
    Comprehensive introduction to Azure Container Apps, explaining the service architecture, key features, and use cases. Essential reading for understanding when and why to use Container Apps.

  • Azure CLI Reference for Container Apps
    Complete command-line reference documentation for all az containerapp commands. Useful for exploring additional configuration options and advanced scenarios.

  • Quickstart: Deploy your first container app
    Official quickstart guide from Microsoft that provides context and alternative deployment methods, including Portal and ARM templates.

Additional Resources

  • Azure Container Apps Environments
    Detailed explanation of Container App environments, networking, and security boundaries. Important for understanding the environment concept used in Step 4.

  • Ingress in Azure Container Apps
    In-depth guide on configuring ingress settings, including HTTP/HTTPS traffic, authentication, and custom domains. Relevant for production deployments beyond this basic tutorial.

  • Azure CLI Installation Guide
    Step-by-step instructions for installing Azure CLI on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Essential prerequisite for following this tutorial.