Recommend Azure VM sizes, VM Scale Sets (VMSS), and configurations based on workload requirements, performance needs, and budget constraints. No Azure account required — uses public documentation and the Azure Retail Prices API. USE FOR: recommend VM size, which VM should I use, choose Azure VM, VM for web/database/ML/batch/HPC, GPU VM, compare VM sizes, cheapest VM, best VM for workload, VM pricing, cost estimate, burstable/compute/memory/storage optimized VM, confidential computing, VM trade-offs, VM families, VMSS, scale set recommendation, autoscale VMs, load balanced VMs, VMSS vs VM, scale out, horizontal scaling, flexible orchestration. DO NOT USE FOR: deploying VMs or VMSS, deploying apps (use azure-deploy), looking up existing VMs (use azure-resource-lookup), cost optimization of running VMs (use azure-cost-optimization), non-VM services like App Service or AKS.
Recommends optimal Azure VM sizes and scale set configurations based on workload requirements and budget constraints.
npx claudepluginhub microsoft/github-copilot-for-azureThis skill inherits all available tools. When active, it can use any tool Claude has access to.
references/retail-prices-api.mdreferences/vm-families.mdreferences/vmss-guide.mdRecommend Azure VM sizes, VM Scale Sets (VMSS), and configurations by analyzing workload type, performance requirements, scaling needs, and budget. No Azure subscription required — all data comes from public Microsoft documentation and the unauthenticated Retail Prices API.
Use reference files for initial filtering
CRITICAL: then always verify with live documentation from learn.microsoft.com before making final recommendations. If
web_fetchfails, use reference files as fallback but warn the user the information may be stale.
Ask the user for (infer when possible):
| Requirement | Examples |
|---|---|
| Workload type | Web server, relational DB, ML training, batch processing, dev/test |
| vCPU / RAM needs | "4 cores, 16 GB RAM" or "lightweight" / "heavy" |
| GPU needed? | Yes → GPU families; No → general/compute/memory |
| Storage needs | High IOPS, large temp disk, premium SSD |
| Budget priority | Cost-sensitive, performance-first, balanced |
| OS | Linux or Windows (affects pricing) |
| Region | Affects availability and price |
| Instance count | Single instance, fixed count, or variable/dynamic |
| Scaling needs | None, manual scaling, autoscale based on metrics or schedule |
| Availability needs | Best-effort, fault-domain isolation, cross-zone HA |
| Load balancing | Not needed, Azure Load Balancer (L4), Application Gateway (L7) |
Workflow:
web_fetch https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/overview
web_fetch https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/virtual-machine-scale-sets-autoscale-overview
web_fetch fails, proceed with reference file guidance but include this warning:
Unable to verify against latest Azure documentation. Recommendation based on reference material that may not reflect recent updates.
Needs autoscaling?
├─ Yes → VMSS
├─ No
│ ├─ Multiple identical instances needed?
│ │ ├─ Yes → VMSS
│ │ └─ No
│ │ ├─ High availability across fault domains / zones?
│ │ │ ├─ Yes, many instances → VMSS
│ │ │ └─ Yes, 1-2 instances → VM + Availability Zone
│ │ └─ Single instance sufficient? → VM
| Signal | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Autoscale on CPU, memory, or schedule | VMSS | Built-in autoscale; no custom automation needed |
| Stateless web/API tier behind a load balancer | VMSS | Homogeneous fleet with automatic distribution |
| Batch / parallel processing across many nodes | VMSS | Scale out on demand, scale to zero when idle |
| Mixed VM sizes in one group | VMSS (Flexible) | Flexible orchestration supports mixed SKUs |
| Single long-lived server (jumpbox, AD DC) | VM | No scaling benefit; simpler management |
| Unique per-instance config required | VM | Scale sets assume homogeneous configuration |
| Stateful workload, tightly-coupled cluster | VM (or VMSS case-by-case) | Evaluate carefully; VMSS Flexible can work for some stateful patterns |
Warning: If the user is unsure, default to single VM for simplicity. Recommend VMSS only when scaling, HA, or fleet management is clearly needed.
Workflow:
Review VM Family Guide to identify 2-3 candidate VM families that match the workload requirements
REQUIRED: verify specifications for your chosen candidates by fetching current documentation:
web_fetch https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes/<family-category>/<series-name>
Examples:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes/general-purpose/b-familyhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes/general-purpose/ddsv5-serieshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes/gpu-accelerated/nc-familyIf considering Spot VMs, also fetch:
web_fetch https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/use-spot
If web_fetch fails, proceed with reference file guidance but include this warning:
Unable to verify against latest Azure documentation. Recommendation based on reference material that may not reflect recent updates or limitations (e.g., Spot VM compatibility).
This step applies to both single VMs and VMSS since scale sets use the same VM SKUs.
Query the Azure Retail Prices API — Retail Prices API Guide
Tip: VMSS has no extra charge — pricing is per-VM instance. Use the same VM pricing from the API and multiply by the expected instance count to estimate VMSS cost. For autoscaling workloads, estimate cost at both the minimum and maximum instance count.
Provide 2–3 options with trade-offs:
| Column | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hosting Model | VM or VMSS (with orchestration mode if VMSS) |
| VM Size | ARM SKU name (e.g., Standard_D4s_v5) |
| vCPUs / RAM | Core specs |
| Instance Count | 1 for VM; min–max range for VMSS with autoscale |
| Estimated $/hr | Per-instance pay-as-you-go from API |
| Why | Fit for the workload |
| Trade-off | What the user gives up |
Tip: Always explain why a family fits and what the user trades off (cost vs cores, burstable vs dedicated, single VM simplicity vs VMSS scalability, etc.).
For VMSS recommendations, also mention:
priceType eq 'Reservation')| Scenario | Action |
|---|---|
| API returns empty results | Broaden filters — check armRegionName, serviceName, armSkuName spelling |
| User unsure of workload type | Ask clarifying questions; default to General Purpose D-series |
| Region not specified | Use eastus as default; note prices vary by region |
| Unclear if VM or VMSS needed | Ask about scaling and instance count; default to single VM if unsure |
| User asks VMSS pricing directly | Use same VM pricing API — VMSS has no extra charge; multiply by instance count |
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