Azure Resource Abbreviations Skill

This skill helps with Azure resource abbreviations and naming conventions. It uses the bundled references\abbreviations.json catalog for fast local lookup and the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework page as the authoritative fallback for ambiguous or newly added resources.

Skill directory

~/.copilot/skills/azure-resource-abbreviations/

Quick Reference

Workflow

1. First determine whether the user needs a single abbreviation, a shortlist of likely Azure resource matches, a category view, or a naming convention/template.
2. Use the bundled C# file-based app scripts for deterministic local lookup:
   • lookup_abbreviation.cs for one resource type or fuzzy matching
   • list_categories.cs to browse available groups
   • get_category.cs to inspect all resources in a category
   • generate_template.cs when the user wants a reusable naming pattern
3. Treat references\abbreviations.json as the fast local catalog. If a query is ambiguous, missing, or the result will be used in governance/policy documentation, verify it against the Microsoft Learn page: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/azure-best-practices/resource-abbreviations
4. When composing a full resource name, distinguish between:
   • Official prefix: the raw value from the bundled catalog, which can include a trailing -
   • Naming token: the prefix with a trailing - removed so it can be embedded in a larger naming template
5. Call out special cases instead of forcing a normal prefix pattern:
   • Some resources use descriptive names rather than a standard abbreviation
   • Some resources have stricter naming rules than others
   • Storage accounts and DNS-related resources often need extra rule checks beyond the prefix

Script Requirements

The scripts in scripts\ are implemented as C# file-based apps and use #:include.

• Require .NET SDK 10.0.300 or later
• Run them from this skill directory or pass the full path to the .cs file

Output Expectations

When responding, prefer this structure when it fits:

If there are multiple matches, do not guess. Return the shortlist and explain which one seems closest.

Resource Categories

The bundled catalog exposes these top-level categories:

1. AI + Machine Learning
2. Analytics and IoT
3. Compute and Web
4. Containers
5. Databases
6. Developer Tools
7. Integration
8. Management and Governance
9. Migration
10. Networking
11. Security
12. Storage

Examples

Look up a resource abbreviation

dotnet run --file scripts\lookup_abbreviation.cs -- "Virtual Machine"
dotnet run --file scripts\lookup_abbreviation.cs -- "Storage Account"
dotnet run --file scripts\lookup_abbreviation.cs -- "Application Gateway"

Explore a category

dotnet run --file scripts\list_categories.cs
dotnet run --file scripts\get_category.cs -- "Networking"

Generate a naming template

dotnet run --file scripts\generate_template.cs -- "Web App"

Use the generated naming token in Bicep, Terraform, or documentation:

param environment string
param region string

var namingToken = 'vm'
var resourceName = '${namingToken}-${environment}-web01-${region}'

Guidance

• Prefer the smallest exact answer when the user only needs one abbreviation.
• Prefer the category scripts when the user is designing standards for many related resources.
• Prefer the template script when the user asks for a full naming convention rather than only a prefix.
• Use the Microsoft Learn page to verify final wording when the request is compliance-sensitive, governance-oriented, or the local catalog result looks outdated.
• Explain that Microsoft Learn is authoritative if it disagrees with the local catalog.

References

• Local catalog: references/abbreviations.json
• Reference guide: references/NAMING_GUIDE.md
• Microsoft Learn: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/azure-best-practices/resource-abbreviations