azure-resource-visualizer

Original source / Raw SKILL.md

---
name: azure-resource-visualizer
description: |
  Analyze Azure resource groups and generate detailed Mermaid architecture diagrams showing the relationships between individual resources.
  USE FOR: create architecture diagram, visualize Azure resources, show resource relationships, generate Mermaid diagram, analyze resource group, diagram my resources, architecture visualization, resource topology, map Azure infrastructure
  DO NOT USE FOR: creating/modifying resources (use azure-deploy), security scanning (use azure-security), performance troubleshooting (use azure-diagnostics), code generation (use relevant service skill)
---

# 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](references/azure-resource-graph.md) 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

### 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](./assets/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](./assets/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.


---

## Referenced Files

> The following files are referenced in this skill and included for context.

### references/azure-resource-graph.md

```markdown
# Azure Resource Graph Queries for Resource Discovery

Azure Resource Graph (ARG) enables fast, cross-subscription resource querying using KQL via `az graph query`. Use it for bulk resource discovery and relationship mapping.

## How to Query

Use the `extension_cli_generate` MCP tool to generate `az graph query` commands:

```yaml
mcp_azure_mcp_extension_cli_generate
  intent: "query Azure Resource Graph to <describe what you want to find>"
  cli-type: "az"
```

Or construct directly:

```bash
az graph query -q "<KQL>" --query "data[].{name:name, type:type}" -o table
```

> ⚠️ **Prerequisite:** `az extension add --name resource-graph`

## Key Tables

| Table | Contains |
|-------|----------|
| `Resources` | All ARM resource instances (name, type, location, properties, tags) |
| `ResourceContainers` | Subscriptions, resource groups, management groups |

## Resource Discovery Patterns

**List all resources by type:**

```kql
Resources | summarize count() by type | order by count_ desc
```

**Inventory by location and type:**

```kql
Resources | summarize count() by type, location | order by type asc
```

**List all resources in a resource group with details:**

```kql
Resources
| where resourceGroup =~ '<rg-name>'
| project name, type, location, sku.name, kind
```

**Cross-subscription resource inventory with subscription names:**

```kql
Resources
| join kind=leftouter (
    ResourceContainers
    | where type == 'microsoft.resources/subscriptions'
    | project subscriptionId, subscriptionName=name
) on subscriptionId
| project name, type, location, resourceGroup, subscriptionName
```

**Discover network relationships (VNets, subnets, NICs):**

```kql
Resources
| where type =~ 'microsoft.network/virtualnetworks'
| mv-expand subnet=properties.subnets
| project vnetName=name, subnetName=subnet.name, addressPrefix=subnet.properties.addressPrefix, resourceGroup
```

**Find App Services and their plans:**

```kql
Resources
| where type =~ 'microsoft.web/sites'
| project name, kind, location, serverFarmId=properties.serverFarmId, resourceGroup
```

## Tips

- Use `=~` for case-insensitive type matching (resource types are lowercase)
- Navigate properties with `properties.fieldName`
- Use `--first N` to limit result count
- Use `--subscriptions` to scope to specific subscriptions
- Use `mv-expand` to flatten arrays (e.g., subnets, IP configurations)

```

### assets/example-diagram.md

```markdown
# Example Architecture Diagram

This example shows a typical Azure resource group with resources organized into logical layers.

## Sample Mermaid Diagram

```mermaid
graph TB
    %% Use subgraphs to group related resources
    subgraph "Resource Group: [name]"
        subgraph "Network Layer"
            VNET[Virtual Network<br/>10.0.0.0/16]
            SUBNET1[Subnet: web<br/>10.0.1.0/24]
            SUBNET2[Subnet: data<br/>10.0.2.0/24]
            NSG[Network Security Group]
        end
        
        subgraph "Compute Layer"
            APP[App Service<br/>Plan: P1v2]
            FUNC[Function App<br/>Runtime: .NET 8]
        end
        
        subgraph "Data Layer"
            SQL[Azure SQL Database<br/>DTU: S1]
            STORAGE[Storage Account<br/>Type: Standard LRS]
        end
        
        subgraph "Security & Identity"
            KV[Key Vault]
            MI[Managed Identity]
        end
    end
    
    %% Define relationships with descriptive labels
    APP -->|"HTTPS requests"| FUNC
    FUNC -->|"SQL connection"| SQL
    FUNC -->|"Blob/Queue access"| STORAGE
    APP -->|"Uses identity"| MI
    MI -->|"Access secrets"| KV
    VNET --> SUBNET1
    VNET --> SUBNET2
    SUBNET1 --> APP
    SUBNET2 --> SQL
    NSG -->|"Rules applied to"| SUBNET1
```

## Diagram Features

This example demonstrates:

- **Layered organization**: Resources grouped by function (Network, Compute, Data, Security)
- **Detailed node labels**: Each resource includes configuration details (SKUs, tiers, settings)
- **Descriptive connections**: Relationships are labeled to show data flow and dependencies
- **Subgraphs**: Logical grouping makes the architecture easy to understand
- **Resource variety**: Shows common Azure services and their interconnections

```

### assets/template-architecture.md

```markdown
# Azure Architecture: [Resource Group Name]

**Subscription**: [subscription-name]  
**Region**: [primary-region]  
**Resource Count**: [count]  
**Generated**: [date]

## Overview

[2-3 paragraph summary of the architecture, its purpose, and key components]

## Resource Inventory

| Resource Name | Type | Tier/SKU | Location | Notes |
|--------------|------|----------|----------|-------|
| app-prod-001 | App Service | P1v2 | East US | Production web app |
| func-prod-001 | Function App | Y1 | East US | Consumption plan |

## Architecture Diagram

```mermaid
[full diagram here]
```

## Relationship Details

### Network Architecture
[Describe VNets, subnets, network security]

### Data Flow
[Describe how data moves between components]

### Identity & Access
[Describe managed identities, key vault access, RBAC]

### Dependencies
[Describe critical dependencies and their order]

## Notes & Recommendations

[Any observations, potential issues, or suggestions]

```