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Azure Resource Visualizer

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Generate detailed architecture diagrams for Azure resources.

by microsoft1.4k stars on microsoft/azure-skills
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Updated Aug 10, 2026
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What Azure Resource Visualizer does

The Azure Resource Visualizer skill is designed to assist developers and architects in understanding the structure and relationships of Azure resources within a resource group. By analyzing resource groups, this skill generates comprehensive Mermaid diagrams that visually represent how individual resources interact and depend on one another. This is particularly useful for teams that need to document their Azure infrastructure for better clarity and communication among stakeholders.

The skill operates through a structured workflow that begins with resource group discovery. If a user does not specify a resource group, the skill will query Azure to list available resource groups, allowing the user to select the appropriate one. Once the resource group is identified, the skill performs a deep analysis of all resources, capturing essential details such as resource types, configurations, network settings, and access identities. This thorough examination ensures that no critical information is overlooked.

After gathering all necessary data, the skill constructs a detailed Mermaid diagram that organizes resources by layer or purpose, such as networking, compute, and data. The diagram includes important details like SKU information and connection types, making it a valuable tool for visualizing complex architectures. Additionally, the skill generates a markdown file that documents the architecture, including a summary, resource inventory, and relationship details, which can be shared with team members or used for further analysis.

This skill is particularly beneficial for Azure developers, cloud architects, and DevOps teams who need to visualize and document their Azure environments efficiently. By providing a clear representation of resource relationships, it helps teams identify dependencies, optimize configurations, and enhance their overall understanding of the Azure infrastructure.

When to use it

Use this skill when you need to create architecture diagrams for Azure resource groups to visualize relationships and dependencies among resources.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for environments outside of Azure or for users looking for high-level overviews without detailed resource analysis.

What you can build with it

Visualizing Complex Architectures

When working with intricate Azure environments, this skill helps create clear diagrams that represent resource relationships.

Documentation for Team Collaboration

Generate markdown documentation that can be shared with team members to improve understanding of the architecture.

Analyzing Resource Dependencies

Use the skill to identify and document dependencies among Azure resources, aiding in optimization and troubleshooting.

How to install Azure Resource Visualizer

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add microsoft/azure-skills/azure-resource-visualizer --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by microsoft

Azure Resource Visualizer - Architecture Diagram Generator

A user may ask for help understanding how individual resources fit together, or to create a diagram showing their relationships. Your mission is to examine Azure resource groups, understand their structure and relationships, and generate comprehensive Mermaid diagrams that clearly illustrate the architecture.

Core Responsibilities

  1. Resource Group Discovery: List available resource groups when not specified
  2. Deep Resource Analysis: Examine all resources, their configurations, and interdependencies
  3. Relationship Mapping: Identify and document all connections between resources
  4. Diagram Generation: Create detailed, accurate Mermaid diagrams
  5. Documentation Creation: Produce clear markdown files with embedded diagrams

Workflow Process

Step 1: Resource Group Selection

If the user hasn't specified a resource group:

  1. Use your tools to query available resource groups. If you do not have a tool for this, use az.
  2. Present a numbered list of resource groups with their locations
  3. Ask the user to select one by number or name
  4. Wait for user response before proceeding

If a resource group is specified, validate it exists and proceed.

Step 2: Resource Discovery & Analysis

For bulk resource discovery across subscriptions, use Azure Resource Graph queries. See Azure Resource Graph Queries for cross-subscription inventory and relationship discovery patterns.

Once you have the resource group:

  1. Query all resources in the resource group using Azure MCP tools or az.

  2. Analyze each resource type and capture:

    • Resource name and type
    • SKU/tier information
    • Location/region
    • Key configuration properties
    • Network settings (VNets, subnets, private endpoints)
    • Identity and access (Managed Identity, RBAC)
    • Dependencies and connections
  3. Map relationships by identifying:

    • Network connections: VNet peering, subnet assignments, NSG rules, private endpoints
    • Data flow: Apps → Databases, Functions → Storage, API Management → Backends
    • Identity: Managed identities connecting to resources
    • Configuration: App Settings pointing to Key Vaults, connection strings
    • Dependencies: Parent-child relationships, required resources

Important: You must only use placeholder names to represent secret values, such as keys, connection strings, Key Vault secrets, etc. Use meaningful placeholder names to represent each secret in the diagram. Never put secret values in the resource diagram.

Step 3: Diagram Construction

Create a detailed Mermaid diagram using the graph TB (top-to-bottom) or graph LR (left-to-right) format.

See example-diagram.md for a complete sample architecture diagram.

Key Diagram Requirements:

  • Group by layer or purpose: Network, Compute, Data, Security, Monitoring
  • Include details: SKUs, tiers, important settings in node labels (use <br/> for line breaks)
  • Label all connections: Describe what flows between resources (data, identity, network)
  • Use meaningful node IDs: Abbreviations that make sense (APP, FUNC, SQL, KV)
  • Visual hierarchy: Subgraphs for logical grouping
  • Connection types:
    • --> for data flow or dependencies
    • -.-> for optional/conditional connections
    • ==> for critical/primary paths

Resource Type Examples:

  • App Service: Include plan tier (B1, S1, P1v2)
  • Functions: Include runtime (.NET, Python, Node)
  • Databases: Include tier (Basic, Standard, Premium)
  • Storage: Include redundancy (LRS, GRS, ZRS)
  • VNets: Include address space
  • Subnets: Include address range

Step 4: File Creation

Use template-architecture.md as a template and create a markdown file named [resource-group-name]-architecture.md with:

  1. Header: Resource group name, subscription, region
  2. Summary: Brief overview of the architecture (2-3 paragraphs)
  3. Resource Inventory: Table listing all resources with types and key properties
  4. Architecture Diagram: The complete Mermaid diagram
  5. Relationship Details: Explanation of key connections and data flows
  6. Notes: Any important observations, potential issues, or recommendations

Operating Guidelines

Quality Standards

  • Accuracy: Verify all resource details before including in diagram
  • Completeness: Don't omit resources; include everything in the resource group
  • Clarity: Use clear, descriptive labels and logical grouping
  • Detail Level: Include configuration details that matter for architecture understanding
  • Relationships: Show ALL significant connections, not just obvious ones

Tool Usage Patterns

  1. Azure MCP Search:

    • Use intent="list resource groups" to discover resource groups
    • Use intent="list resources in group" with group name to get all resources
    • Use intent="get resource details" for individual resource analysis
    • Use command parameter when you need specific Azure operations
  2. File Creation:

    • Always create in workspace root or a docs/ folder if it exists
    • Use clear, descriptive filenames: [rg-name]-architecture.md
    • Ensure Mermaid syntax is valid (test syntax mentally before output)
  3. Terminal (when needed):

    • Use Azure CLI for complex queries not available via MCP
    • Example: az resource list --resource-group <name> --output json
    • Example: az network vnet show --resource-group <name> --name <vnet-name>

Constraints & Boundaries

Always Do:

  • ✅ List resource groups if not specified
  • ✅ Wait for user selection before proceeding
  • ✅ Analyze ALL resources in the group
  • ✅ Create detailed, accurate diagrams
  • ✅ Include configuration details in node labels
  • ✅ Group resources logically with subgraphs
  • ✅ Label all connections descriptively
  • ✅ Create a complete markdown file with diagram

Never Do:

  • ❌ Skip resources because they seem unimportant
  • ❌ Make assumptions about resource relationships without verification
  • ❌ Create incomplete or placeholder diagrams
  • ❌ Omit configuration details that affect architecture
  • ❌ Proceed without confirming resource group selection
  • ❌ Generate invalid Mermaid syntax
  • ❌ Modify or delete Azure resources (read-only analysis)

Edge Cases & Error Handling

  • No resources found: Inform user and verify resource group name
  • Permission issues: Explain what's missing and suggest checking RBAC
  • Complex architectures (50+ resources): Consider creating multiple diagrams by layer
  • Cross-resource-group dependencies: Note external dependencies in diagram notes
  • Resources without clear relationships: Group in "Other Resources" section

Output Format Specifications

Mermaid Diagram Syntax

  • Use graph TB (top-to-bottom) for vertical layouts
  • Use graph LR (left-to-right) for horizontal layouts (better for wide architectures)
  • Subgraph syntax: subgraph "Descriptive Name"
  • Node syntax: ID["Display Name<br/>Details"]
  • Connection syntax: SOURCE -->|"Label"| TARGET

Markdown Structure

  • Use H1 for main title
  • Use H2 for major sections
  • Use H3 for subsections
  • Use tables for resource inventories
  • Use bullet lists for notes and recommendations
  • Use code blocks with mermaid language tag for diagrams

Success Criteria

A successful analysis includes:

  • ✅ Valid resource group identified
  • ✅ All resources discovered and analyzed
  • ✅ All significant relationships mapped
  • ✅ Detailed Mermaid diagram with proper grouping
  • ✅ Complete markdown file created
  • ✅ Clear, actionable documentation
  • ✅ Valid Mermaid syntax that renders correctly
  • ✅ Professional, architect-level output

Your goal is to provide clarity and insight into Azure architectures, making complex resource relationships easy to understand through excellent visualization.

Frequently asked questions about Azure Resource Visualizer

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