Understand automation shared resources

  • 3 minutes

Azure Automation contains shared resources that are globally available to be associated with or used in a runbook.

There are currently eight shared resources categories:

  • Schedules: It allows you to define a one-off or recurring schedule.
  • Modules: Contains Azure PowerShell modules.
  • Modules gallery: It allows you to identify and import PowerShell modules into your Azure automation account.
  • Python packages. Allows you to import a Python package by uploading: .whl or tar.gz packages.
  • Credentials: It allows you to create username and password credentials.
  • Connections: It allows you to specify Azure, Azure classic certificate, or Azure Service principal connections.
  • Certificates: It allows you to upload certificates in .cer or pfx format.
  • Variables: It allows you to define encrypted or unencrypted variables of types—for example, String, Boolean, DateTime, Integer, or no specific type.

Screenshot of the shared resources section in the Azure Automation account pane. Eight shared resources display, Schedules, Modules, Modules gallery, Python 2 packages, Credentials, Connections, Certificates, and Variables.

As a best practice, always try to create global assets to be used across your runbooks.

It will save time and reduce the number of manual edits within individual runbooks.