1# AZD Environment Setup
2 
3> **⛔ MANDATORY**: You MUST set up an AZD environment before running any deployment commands.
4 
5## Step 1: Check Existing Environments
6 
7```bash
8azd env list
9```
10 
11**If an environment is already selected** (marked with `*`), check its current values:
12 
13```bash
14azd env get-values
15```
16 
17If `AZURE_ENV_NAME`, `AZURE_SUBSCRIPTION_ID`, and `AZURE_LOCATION` are already set, confirm with user:
18 
19```
20Question: "An AZD environment is already configured. Would you like to use it?"
21 
22  Environment: {env-name}
23  Subscription: {subscription-id}
24  Location: {location}
25 
26Choices: [
27  "Yes, use this environment (Recommended)",
28  "No, create a new environment"
29]
30```
31 
32If user confirms → skip to **Verify Configuration**. Otherwise → continue to Step 2.
33 
34**If NO environment exists or none is selected:**
35- Continue to Step 2
36 
37---
38 
39## Step 2: Create New Environment
40 
41> **⛔ DO NOT use generic names like "dev", "prod", or "test"**
42>
43> These cause naming conflicts in Azure resource groups and resources. Always generate a unique name.
44 
45### Generate Suggested Name
46 
47Use this pattern:
48```
49{project-name}-{random-4-chars}
50```
51 
52**Examples:**
53- `dadjokes-x7k2`
54- `todoapp-m3p9`
55- `myapi-q5w8`
56 
57### Prompt User
58 
59**You MUST use `ask_user` to confirm the environment name:**
60 
61```
62I need to create an AZD environment for this deployment.
63 
64Suggested name: {project-name}-{random-4-chars}
65 
66Would you like to use this name or enter a custom one?
67```
68 
69### Create Environment
70 
71After user confirms:
72```bash
73azd env new <environment-name> --no-prompt
74```
75 
76---
77 
78## Step 3: Configure Environment
79 
80Set subscription and location:
81 
82```bash
83azd env set AZURE_SUBSCRIPTION_ID <subscription-id>
84azd env set AZURE_LOCATION <location>
85```
86 
87---
88 
89## Verify Configuration
90 
91```bash
92azd env get-values
93```
94 
95Confirm these values are set:
96- `AZURE_ENV_NAME`
97- `AZURE_SUBSCRIPTION_ID`
98- `AZURE_LOCATION`
99 
100---
101 
102## Only Then Proceed
103 
104After environment is configured, proceed with `azd up --no-prompt`.
105