> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tomwhiteley.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tomwhiteley.com/microsoft-azure/creating-an-azure-cloudshell.md).

# Creating an Azure CloudShell

You can access the Cloud Shell in two ways:

* Direct link: Open a browser to <https://shell.azure.com>.
* Azure portal: Select the Cloud Shell icon on the Azure portal.

#### Considerations <a href="#considerations" id="considerations"></a>

* When creating a Cloud Shell you’ll only need to do this once per account (usually)
* Create your Cloud Shell in a management resource group
* Create a storage account specifically for Cloud Shells

### Steps <a href="#steps" id="steps"></a>

* Open a Cloud Shell

<figure><img src="/files/NGcau0ADfdISeOaPuFmd" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Locate the Shell Icon</em></p></figcaption></figure>

* Select PowerShell to get started (you can change it later)

<figure><img src="/files/gM45iMcvq21r22hSBA2u" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Select PowerShell</em></p></figcaption></figure>

* You will be told you have no storage selected. Click “Show advanced Settings”

<figure><img src="/files/LztnbggNqCgfr0XUK57i" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Advanced Settings</em></p></figcaption></figure>

* Populate the fields
  * **Subscription**
    * The Azure subscription you’re creating the Cloud Shell resource under
    * If you have more than one; select a subscription which will contain other centralised management resources
  * **Cloud Shell Region**
    * The region you’d like to deploy the Cloud Shell resources to
    * Pick one closest to you as an example
  * **Show vNet isolation settings**
    * Allows the cloud shell to access virtual machines and other resources behind a firewall or using private addresses within Azure.
    * Leave unchecked
  * **Resource Group**
    * The resource group the Cloud Shell will be associated with
    * If you have more than one, select a resource group that is used for management (or create a new one one)
  * **Storage Account**
    * The storage account the Shell will store any files generated
    * I create a new Storage Account specifically for Shells to group them all together
    * Remember the name has to the lower case, between 3 and 24 chars and be globally unique
  * **File Share**
    * This will be the file share where the Cloud Shell data will be stored, within an IMG file
    * I often call the name of the fileshare my username (in case I wanted to use this storage account for more than one user in the future)

<figure><img src="/files/313HmvHRSZxdvW1wvZWB" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Populate the Fields</em></p></figcaption></figure>

* You will then be presented with a Cloud Shell running in PowerShell. You can easily flick between the BASH shell by changing shells in the top left corner

### Links <a href="#links" id="links"></a>

* <https://adamtheautomator.com/azure-cloud-shell/>

&#x20;[Azure](https://blog.tomwhiteley.com/categories/azure/)