- task: TaskName@MajorVersion
  displayName: 'Human Readable Name'
  inputs:
    inputName: value
    anotherInput: value
  condition: succeeded()
  continueOnError: false
  enabled: true
  env:
    ENV_VAR: value
  timeoutInMinutes: 0

.NET/C# Tasks

DotNetCoreCLI@2

Build, test, package, or publish a .NET Core project.

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Restore NuGet packages'
  inputs:
    command: 'restore'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Build'
  inputs:
    command: 'build'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Run Tests'
  inputs:
    command: 'test'
    projects: '**/*Tests/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release --collect:"XPlat Code Coverage"'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Publish'
  inputs:
    command: 'publish'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration Release --output $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    zipAfterPublish: true

NuGetCommand@2

Restore, pack, or push NuGet packages.

- task: NuGetCommand@2
  displayName: 'NuGet restore'
  inputs:
    command: 'restore'
    restoreSolution: '**/*.sln'

- task: NuGetCommand@2
  displayName: 'NuGet pack'
  inputs:
    command: 'pack'
    packagesToPack: '**/*.nuspec'
    versioningScheme: 'byBuildNumber'

Node.js/JavaScript Tasks

NodeTool@0

Install a specific Node.js version.

- task: NodeTool@0
  displayName: 'Use Node.js 20.x'
  inputs:
    versionSpec: '20.x'

Npm@1

Run npm commands.

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm install'
  inputs:
    command: 'install'

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm run build'
  inputs:
    command: 'custom'
    customCommand: 'run build'

- task: Npm@1
  displayName: 'npm test'
  inputs:
    command: 'custom'
    customCommand: 'run test'

Python Tasks

UsePythonVersion@0

Select a Python version to run on an agent.

- task: UsePythonVersion@0
  displayName: 'Use Python 3.11'
  inputs:
    versionSpec: '3.11'
    addToPath: true
    architecture: 'x64'

Pip@1 / Script

Install Python packages.

- script: |
    python -m pip install --upgrade pip
    pip install -r requirements.txt
  displayName: 'Install dependencies'

- script: pytest tests/ --junitxml=junit/test-results.xml
  displayName: 'Run tests'

Docker Tasks

Docker@2

Build, push, or run Docker images.

# Login to registry
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Docker Login'
  inputs:
    command: 'login'
    containerRegistry: 'myDockerRegistryServiceConnection'

# Build image
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Build Docker image'
  inputs:
    command: 'build'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    dockerfile: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/Dockerfile'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      latest

# Push image
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Push Docker image'
  inputs:
    command: 'push'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      latest

# Build and push (combined)
- task: Docker@2
  displayName: 'Build and Push'
  inputs:
    command: 'buildAndPush'
    repository: 'myrepo/myimage'
    dockerfile: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/Dockerfile'
    containerRegistry: 'myDockerRegistryServiceConnection'
    tags: |
      $(Build.BuildId)
      latest

DockerCompose@0

Build, push, or run multi-container Docker applications.

- task: DockerCompose@0
  displayName: 'Run Docker Compose'
  inputs:
    action: 'Run services'
    dockerComposeFile: 'docker-compose.yml'
    projectName: '$(Build.Repository.Name)'
    qualifyImageNames: true
    buildImages: true

Kubernetes Tasks

Kubernetes@1

Deploy, configure, or update a Kubernetes cluster.

- task: Kubernetes@1
  displayName: 'kubectl apply'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceEndpoint: 'myK8sConnection'
    command: 'apply'
    arguments: '-f manifests/'

- task: Kubernetes@1
  displayName: 'kubectl set image'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceEndpoint: 'myK8sConnection'
    command: 'set'
    arguments: 'image deployment/myapp myapp=$(containerRegistry)/myimage:$(Build.BuildId)'

KubernetesManifest@0

Bake and deploy Kubernetes manifests.

- task: KubernetesManifest@0
  displayName: 'Deploy to Kubernetes'
  inputs:
    action: 'deploy'
    kubernetesServiceConnection: 'myK8sConnection'
    namespace: 'production'
    manifests: |
      manifests/deployment.yml
      manifests/service.yml
    containers: '$(containerRegistry)/myimage:$(Build.BuildId)'

HelmDeploy@0

Deploy using Helm charts.

- task: HelmDeploy@0
  displayName: 'Helm deploy'
  inputs:
    connectionType: 'Kubernetes Service Connection'
    kubernetesServiceConnection: 'myK8sConnection'
    namespace: 'production'
    command: 'upgrade'
    chartType: 'FilePath'
    chartPath: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/charts/myapp'
    releaseName: 'myapp'
    arguments: '--set image.tag=$(Build.BuildId)'

Azure Tasks

AzureCLI@2

Run Azure CLI commands.

- task: AzureCLI@2
  displayName: 'Azure CLI'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    scriptType: 'bash'
    scriptLocation: 'inlineScript'
    inlineScript: |
      az --version
      az account show

AzurePowerShell@5

Run Azure PowerShell commands.

- task: AzurePowerShell@5
  displayName: 'Azure PowerShell'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    scriptType: 'inlineScript'
    inline: |
      Get-AzResourceGroup
    azurePowerShellVersion: 'LatestVersion'

AzureWebApp@1

Deploy to Azure App Service.

- task: AzureWebApp@1
  displayName: 'Deploy to Azure Web App'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'webAppLinux'
    appName: 'mywebapp'
    package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

AzureFunctionApp@1

Deploy to Azure Functions.

- task: AzureFunctionApp@1
  displayName: 'Deploy Azure Function'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'functionAppLinux'
    appName: 'myfunctionapp'
    package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'

AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4

Advanced Azure App Service deployment.

- task: AzureRmWebAppDeployment@4
  displayName: 'Azure App Service Deploy'
  inputs:
    azureSubscription: 'myAzureServiceConnection'
    appType: 'webAppLinux'
    WebAppName: 'mywebapp'
    packageForLinux: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**/*.zip'
    RuntimeStack: 'NODE|20-lts'

Build and Artifact Tasks

PublishBuildArtifacts@1

Publish build artifacts to Azure Pipelines.

- task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
  displayName: 'Publish Artifact: drop'
  inputs:
    PathtoPublish: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    ArtifactName: 'drop'
    publishLocation: 'Container'

DownloadBuildArtifacts@1

Download build artifacts.

- task: DownloadBuildArtifacts@1
  displayName: 'Download Build Artifacts'
  inputs:
    buildType: 'current'
    downloadType: 'single'
    artifactName: 'drop'
    downloadPath: '$(System.ArtifactsDirectory)'

PublishPipelineArtifact@1

Publish artifacts (preferred over PublishBuildArtifacts).

- task: PublishPipelineArtifact@1
  displayName: 'Publish Pipeline Artifact'
  inputs:
    targetPath: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    artifact: 'drop'
    publishLocation: 'pipeline'

DownloadPipelineArtifact@2

Download pipeline artifacts (preferred over DownloadBuildArtifacts).

- task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2
  displayName: 'Download Pipeline Artifact'
  inputs:
    buildType: 'current'
    artifactName: 'drop'
    targetPath: '$(Pipeline.Workspace)'

Test and Code Coverage Tasks

PublishTestResults@2

Publish test results.

- task: PublishTestResults@2
  displayName: 'Publish Test Results'
  inputs:
    testResultsFormat: 'JUnit'
    testResultsFiles: '**/test-results.xml'
    searchFolder: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)'
    mergeTestResults: true
    failTaskOnFailedTests: true

PublishCodeCoverageResults@1

Publish code coverage results.

- task: PublishCodeCoverageResults@1
  displayName: 'Publish Code Coverage'
  inputs:
    codeCoverageTool: 'Cobertura'
    summaryFileLocation: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/coverage.xml'
    reportDirectory: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/**/htmlcov'

Utility Tasks

CopyFiles@2

Copy files to a target folder.

- task: CopyFiles@2
  displayName: 'Copy Files'
  inputs:
    SourceFolder: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    Contents: |
      **/*.js
      **/*.json
      !node_modules/**
    TargetFolder: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    CleanTargetFolder: true

DeleteFiles@1

Delete files from the agent.

- task: DeleteFiles@1
  displayName: 'Delete Files'
  inputs:
    SourceFolder: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    Contents: |
      **/node_modules
      **/temp

Cache@2

Cache files and restore them in future runs.

- task: Cache@2
  displayName: 'Cache npm'
  inputs:
    key: 'npm | "$(Agent.OS)" | package-lock.json'
    restoreKeys: |
      npm | "$(Agent.OS)"
    path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.npm

- task: Cache@2
  displayName: 'Cache Maven'
  inputs:
    key: 'maven | "$(Agent.OS)" | **/pom.xml'
    restoreKeys: |
      maven | "$(Agent.OS)"
    path: $(Pipeline.Workspace)/.m2/repository

PowerShell@2 / Bash@3

Run PowerShell or Bash scripts.

- task: PowerShell@2
  displayName: 'Run PowerShell Script'
  inputs:
    targetType: 'inline'
    script: |
      Write-Host "Running PowerShell"
      Get-ChildItem -Path $(Build.SourcesDirectory)

- task: Bash@3
  displayName: 'Run Bash Script'
  inputs:
    targetType: 'inline'
    script: |
      echo "Running Bash"
      ls -la $(Build.SourcesDirectory)

Security Tasks

SonarCloudPrepare@1 / SonarCloudAnalyze@1

SonarCloud code analysis.

- task: SonarCloudPrepare@1
  inputs:
    SonarCloud: 'SonarCloud'
    organization: 'myorg'
    scannerMode: 'CLI'
    configMode: 'manual'
    cliProjectKey: 'myproject'
    cliProjectName: 'My Project'

- task: SonarCloudAnalyze@1
  displayName: 'Run SonarCloud Analysis'

- task: SonarCloudPublish@1
  displayName: 'Publish SonarCloud Results'
  inputs:
    pollingTimeoutSec: '300'

WhiteSource@21

WhiteSource security and license scanning.

- task: WhiteSource@21
  inputs:
    cwd: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)'
    projectName: 'MyProject'

Version Control Tasks

GitHubRelease@1

Create a GitHub release.

- task: GitHubRelease@1
  displayName: 'Create GitHub Release'
  inputs:
    gitHubConnection: 'GitHubServiceConnection'
    repositoryName: '$(Build.Repository.Name)'
    action: 'create'
    target: '$(Build.SourceVersion)'
    tagSource: 'gitTag'
    tag: '$(Build.BuildNumber)'
    title: 'Release $(Build.BuildNumber)'
    releaseNotesSource: 'inline'
    releaseNotesInline: 'Release notes here'
    assets: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)/**'

Best Practices

Pin task versions: Always specify task version (e.g., @2, not @0)
Use displayName: Add clear display names for all tasks
Cache dependencies: Use Cache@2 for package managers
Use conditions: Control task execution with conditions
Set timeouts: Prevent hung tasks with timeoutInMinutes
Use service connections: Store credentials in service connections, not in pipeline
Publish test results: Always publish test results for visibility
Use artifact tasks: Prefer PublishPipelineArtifact over PublishBuildArtifacts
Error handling: Use continueOnError for non-critical tasks
Environment variables: Pass sensitive data via env, not as task inputs

Finding Task Documentation

For detailed task documentation:

Official Task Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/pipelines/tasks/reference/
Task Source Code: https://github.com/microsoft/azure-pipelines-tasks
Use WebSearch: Search for "[TaskName] Azure Pipelines task documentation"
Use Context7: Query for specific task documentation via MCP

Task Versioning

Tasks follow semantic versioning:

# Major version (recommended)
- task: TaskName@2

# Full version (for specific fixes)
- task: TaskName@2.3.1

Always use the latest major version unless you have specific compatibility requirements.

Custom Tasks

You can also create and use custom tasks from:

Azure DevOps Marketplace
Private extensions
YAML templates

# Marketplace task
- task: PublisherName.ExtensionName.TaskName@version

# Template as reusable task
- template: templates/my-custom-task.yml
  parameters:
    parameter1: value

tile.json

pantheon-ai/azure-pipelines-toolkit

tasks-reference.md.css-3qkkll{font-size:var(--chakra-font-sizes-sm);font-weight:var(--chakra-font-weights-normal);color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-300);}generator/references/

Azure Pipelines Tasks Reference

Task Syntax