Hello everyone! 👋 Have you ever wanted to harness the power of Azure AI right from your Windows Command Line, without opening up your browser or coding a full application?
In today's post, we're diving into exactly how you can do that! Whether you're a student, a developer, or just tech-curious, this guide will walk you through everything you need—from understanding the basics to trying out real commands.
Let’s explore how Azure AI can supercharge your workflows directly from your terminal!
Overview of Azure AI Capabilities
Azure AI Services provide a broad set of pre-trained and customizable tools that allow developers to embed artificial intelligence into their apps and services—without needing deep AI expertise.
Some of the popular capabilities include:
| Service | Function |
|---|---|
| Azure OpenAI | Language generation, summarization, translation |
| Computer Vision | Image recognition, OCR, tagging |
| Speech Services | Text-to-speech, speech-to-text, translation |
| Language Understanding | Intent recognition and conversation support |
These services are accessible not only through SDKs and REST APIs, but also via the Azure CLI, which is what we’ll be focusing on next.
Getting Started with Azure CLI
Before you can access Azure AI from the command line, you need to install and configure Azure CLI (Command Line Interface).
- Go to the official install page and download the latest installer for Windows.
- After installation, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run: az login to authenticate your Azure account.
- To check if it works, try: az account show. You should see your account and subscription info.
- Optional but helpful: install extensions for AI services via az extension add --name cognitiveservices
Once you're logged in and set up, you're ready to start calling AI services!
Running Azure AI Services via Command Line
Using the command line, you can deploy models, analyze text, extract data from images, and more.
Here’s a basic example for using Azure OpenAI:
az cognitiveservices account list az cognitiveservices account keys list --name YOUR_ACCOUNT_NAME --resource-group YOUR_GROUPAnd a basic call to Azure’s REST API via cURL from Windows CMD:
curl -X POST https://YOUR_ENDPOINT/openai/deployments/YOUR_DEPLOYMENT/chat/completions?api-version=2024-03-01 \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \ -d "{ \"messages\": [{\"role\":\"user\", \"content\":\"Hello AI\"}] }"This is just one of many possibilities. Each AI service has its own CLI syntax and requirements, so be sure to read the documentation for the service you're targeting.
Common Use Cases and Tips
Using Azure AI via command line is perfect for:
- Batch data processing (e.g. OCR or image classification over thousands of files)
- Text summarization or sentiment analysis in data pipelines
- Integrating AI into automation scripts
- Testing and debugging AI models quickly
Pro Tips:
- Use environment variables to store API keys securely
- Utilize command chaining in Windows CMD or PowerShell for automation
- Always verify quotas and pricing to avoid unexpected charges
Comparison with Other Tools
| Feature | Azure CLI | Postman | Azure Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automation | Excellent | Limited | Manual only |
| Speed | Fast | Moderate | Slower |
| User Interface | Command Line | Graphical | Web-based |
| AI Service Support | Extensive | Requires manual config | Full UI support |
Each method has its own use case. The command line is perfect for developers, automation, and quick access.
Pricing and Free Tier Insights
Azure AI services offer a free tier for many services, especially useful for experimentation:
- Azure OpenAI: 5K tokens/month free (trial approval required)
- Computer Vision: 5K transactions/month free for OCR and tagging
- Language Services: Limited free requests for Text Analytics
After free usage, services are billed based on API calls or token usage.
Tip: Use az consumption usage list to monitor costs via command line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my Azure API keys?
You can use az cognitiveservices account keys list with your resource name and group.
Can I run Azure OpenAI from CMD without coding?
Yes, using cURL or REST tools, you can send prompts and get AI responses directly.
Is the Azure CLI available on Windows?
Yes! It works seamlessly on Windows Command Prompt and PowerShell.
Do I need a paid plan to use Azure AI?
No, you can use free tier options, but production workloads require a subscription.
How can I check service limits?
Use az cognitiveservices list-usage or check in the Azure Portal.
What if I hit a quota limit?
You can request quota increases via the Azure Portal or CLI depending on the service.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered a lot—from setting up your Azure CLI to making real API calls using Azure AI Services, all from the Windows Command Line.
Whether you’re testing, automating, or learning, this toolset empowers you to bring AI into your workflow effortlessly.
Feel free to share your use cases and discoveries in the comments!
Helpful Reference Links
Tags
Azure, AI, Windows CLI, Azure CLI, OpenAI, Cognitive Services, REST API, Machine Learning, Command Line, Cloud Tools
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