SkillLow riskUnclaimed

Azure Cost Optimization

Optimize existing Azure resources and analyze Reservations or Savings Plans. WHEN: "optimize Azure costs", "reduce cloud spending", "rightsize resources", "find idle resources", "orphaned disk", "deleted VM still charged", "public IP still charging", "reservation utilization", "Savings Plan coverage", "commitment recommendation", "why is pay-as-you-go still charged". DO NOT USE FOR: cost spikes, forecasts, pricing estimates, budgets, or governance.

microsoftmicrosoft/cost-optimization★ 3.1kUpdated Oct 6, 2026

Description

Quick Reference

Intent Workflow Primary tools
Reduce waste or rightsize Optimization Cost and Resource Graph tools
Review commitments Commitments list_benefit_utilization, list_reservation_transactions, get_benefit_recommendations

When to Use This Skill

Use for waste, rightsizing, and commitments.

MCP Tools

Use cost and Resource Graph tools for optimization and benefit tools for commitments. Validate queries. Fallback: API mappings.

Workflow

  1. Confirm scope, period, currency, and commitment intent.
  2. Load only the matching workflow above.
  3. Never transform MCP results in a shell or interpreter; request validated server-side projection, aggregation, or bounded follow-up queries.
  4. Separate measured cost, reported savings, and qualitative opportunities.
  5. Recommend changes only; do not delete, resize, purchase, or deploy resources.

Error Handling

Error Action
Access denied Name the scope and permission.
Multiple currencies Group and report each currency separately.
Missing evidence State the gap; do not invent values.
Server error Retry once; then report the trace ID.

Permissions

DeclaredDetected
Runs code—None
Installs—None
Runs install scripts—None
Network—portal.azure.com
Needs credentials—None
Outside the workspace—None
Agent tools—None

Checks

Low risk · Nothing worth a warning was found.

Not reviewed by a person · Checked by rules; the model review is not switched on yet.

2 minor marks: common commands and the like, noted but not a concern
  • Rule · resource_abusereferences/optimization.md:25
  • Rule · resource_abusereferences/optimization.md:29

Files9 files · 21.3 KB

  • SKILL.md1.9 KB
references/5
  • commitments.md2.3 KB
  • optimization.md3.0 KB
  • report-template.md1.7 KB
  • resource-graph.md3.3 KB
  • tool-fallback.md1.4 KB
references/services/3
  • redis.md2.1 KB
  • storage-lifecycle.md1.7 KB
  • storage.md3.8 KB

Versions

  1. #11.0.1latestOct 7, 2026