Apex Azure Cost Optimization
jonathan-vella/apex
ANALYSIS SKILL — Query, forecast and optimize Azure costs via cost + utilization analysis.
Identify and quantify cost savings across Azure subscriptions by analyzing actual costs, utilization metrics, and generating actionable optimization recommendations.
Install Azure Cost Optimization
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimization --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .claude/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .claude/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimizationType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimization --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .agents/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .agents/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimization --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .cursor/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .cursor/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git --path skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimization --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .gemini/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .gemini/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimizationInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .github/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .github/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install aiskillstore/marketplace azure-cost-optimization --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization .opencode/skills/azure-cost-optimization && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "azure-cost-optimization" agent skill from https://github.com/aiskillstore/marketplace/tree/main/skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization into .opencode/skills/azure-cost-optimization/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "azure-cost-optimization", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
azure-cost-optimization- GitHub stars
- 430
- Token cost
- ~3.5k tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 932 words
- Files
- 8 (incl. references)
- Skills in repo
- 1,044
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- None found
At a glance
Identify and quantify cost savings across Azure subscriptions by analyzing actual costs, utilization metrics, and generating actionable optimization recommendations.
- Works in 12 steps: Validate Prerequisites → Load Best Practices → 5: Redis-Specific Analysis (Conditional) → …
- : optimize Azure costs
- SKILL.md covers When to Use This Skill, Instructions, Output and Important Notes, plus 1 more section
- Calls az; reaches azure.microsoft.com and management.azure.com
What it does
Azure Cost Optimization is an agent skill from aiskillstore/marketplace. Identify and quantify cost savings across Azure subscriptions by analyzing actual costs, utilization metrics, and generating actionable optimization recommendations. USE FOR: optimize Azure costs, reduce Azure spending, reduce Azure expenses, analyze Azure costs, find cost savings, generate cost optimization report, find orphaned resources, rightsize VMs, cost analysis, reduce waste, Azure spending analysis, find unused resources, optimize Redis costs. DO NOT USE FOR: deploying resources (use azure-deploy)…
Its SKILL.md is about 3.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 10 other files, including reference files (for example `references/azure-quick-review.md`, `references/azure-redis.md` and `references/azure-resource-graph.md`).
It sits in DevOps & Cloud, covering Cloud cost optimization and Cloud security. It works with Microsoft Azure and Redis. The repository describes itself as: Security-audited skills for Claude, Codex & Claude Code. One-click install, quality verified.
When your agent uses it
- : optimize Azure costs
- Reduce Azure spending
- Reduce Azure expenses
- Analyze Azure costs
Example prompts
- “/azure-cost-optimization”
Workflow steps
12 steps, taken from the step headings in SKILL.md.
- Validate Prerequisites
- Load Best Practices
- 5: Redis-Specific Analysis (Conditional)
- 6: Choose Analysis Scope (for Redis-specific analysis)
- Run Azure Quick Review
- Discover Resources
- Query Actual Costs
- Validate Pricing
- Collect Utilization Metrics
- Generate Optimization Report
- Save Audit Trail
- Clean Up Temporary Files
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 755bc35. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
Shell commands in SKILL.md call:
az
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
Hosts in commands or code, which the agent is likely to contact:
azure.microsoft.commanagement.azure.comportal.azure.com
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Azure Cost Optimization loads about 3.5k tokens when it runs, and up to ~5.6k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 156 tokens; SKILL.md has 932 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
Without a licence we can't republish the file, so here is its outline and opening line. It has 932 words (~3,456 tokens).
“Analyze Azure subscriptions to identify cost savings through orphaned resource cleanup, rightsizing, and optimization recommendations based on actual usage data.”
- name
- azure-cost-optimization
Files
SKILL.md and 7 other files (references) in skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization of aiskillstore/marketplace.
- SKILL.md
- references/azure-quick-review.md
- references/azure-redis.md
- references/azure-resource-graph.md
- references/sdk/azure-resource-manager-redis-dotnet.md
- skill-report.json
- templates/redis-detailed-cache-analysis.md
- templates/redis-subscription-level-report.md
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 755bc35
Compare with similar skills
Azure Cost Optimization next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Cost Optimization this skillaiskillstore/marketplace | 430 | — | ~3.5k | Automated safety check: Pass | None | |
| Apex Azure Cost Optimizationjonathan-vella/apex | 217 | — | ~2.1k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Apex Azure Upgradejonathan-vella/apex | 217 | — | ~1.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Azure Service ConnectorMicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills | 777 | — | ~2.4k | Automated safety check: Pass | CC-BY-4.0 | |
| Cloud Cost Optimizationwshobson/agents | 40k | 14 repos | ~1.7k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Spotinfoalexei-led/spotinfo | 164 | — | ~1.8k | Automated safety check: Pass | Apache-2.0 |
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Questions about Azure Cost Optimization
What does Azure Cost Optimization do?
Identify and quantify cost savings across Azure subscriptions by analyzing actual costs, utilization metrics, and generating actionable optimization recommendations. Azure Cost Optimization is an agent skill from aiskillstore/marketplace. Identify and quantify cost savings across Azure subscriptions by analyzing actual costs, utilization metrics, and generating actionable optimization recommendations.
When should I use Azure Cost Optimization?
Azure Cost Optimization fits situations like: : optimize Azure costs; reduce Azure spending; reduce Azure expenses; analyze Azure costs.
How do I install Azure Cost Optimization in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization in aiskillstore/marketplace) into .claude/skills/azure-cost-optimization in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Azure Cost Optimization in Codex?
Run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/microsoft/azure-cost-optimization in aiskillstore/marketplace) into .agents/skills/azure-cost-optimization in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Azure Cost Optimization in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add aiskillstore/marketplace --skill azure-cost-optimization -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/azure-cost-optimization, .gemini/skills/azure-cost-optimization, .github/skills/azure-cost-optimization and .opencode/skills/azure-cost-optimization in your project.
What does Azure Cost Optimization need to run?
Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Azure Cost Optimization needs the command-line tools its instructions call (az).
Does Azure Cost Optimization access the network?
SKILL.md names 3 domains. In commands or code: azure.microsoft.com, management.azure.com and portal.azure.com; the agent is likely to contact these when it follows the instructions. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Azure Cost Optimization safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does Azure Cost Optimization use?
No licence was found for Azure Cost Optimization or its repository. Without one, default copyright applies: ask the author before reusing or redistributing it.
How many tokens does Azure Cost Optimization use?
About 3.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 14k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 2.1k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.
What are the alternatives to Azure Cost Optimization?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Azure Cost Optimization: Apex Azure Cost Optimization (jonathan-vella/apex, 217 stars), Apex Azure Upgrade (jonathan-vella/apex, 217 stars), Azure Service Connector (MicrosoftDocs/Agent-Skills, 777 stars) and Cloud Cost Optimization (wshobson/agents, 40k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Azure Cost Optimization?
aiskillstore (a GitHub organization) maintains it in aiskillstore/marketplace, which has 430 GitHub stars. The repository holds 1,044 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 9, 2026.
Source: aiskillstore/marketplace on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.