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Deploying Web Applications with az webapp

Complete tutorial about az webapp create in Azure CLI. Learn web apps, deployment, scaling.

Daniel Urbano
October 26, 2025
9 min read
Deploying Web Applications with az webapp

Deploying Web Applications with Azure Web Apps

Introduction

In the world of cloud computing, deploying web applications has never been easier, thanks to Azure App Service. The az webapp create command is a powerful tool that allows developers to quickly create and deploy web applications in the Azure cloud environment. This command simplifies the application hosting process by providing a Platform as a Service (PaaS) solution, which means that developers do not need to manage the underlying infrastructure—making it ideal for teams focused on building and deploying applications rapidly.

Azure Web Apps supports multiple programming languages and frameworks, including .NET, Node.js, Python, and Java, allowing you to host diverse applications. It also provides features such as auto-scaling, custom domains, and integrated CI/CD pipelines, making it a comprehensive solution for modern web development. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the az webapp create command effectively, along with various practical examples that demonstrate its capabilities.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

  • Azure CLI installed on your machine. (You can download it here).
  • An active Azure subscription. You can create a free account if you don’t have one here.
  • Sufficient permissions to create resources in your Azure subscription.
  • Authentication to Azure CLI using az login.

Fundamental Concepts

  • Web App: A web application hosted on Azure App Service, which abstracts the underlying infrastructure to let developers focus on code.
  • App Service Plan: Defines the region (datacenter) of the web app, the amount of resources (CPU, memory), and the pricing tier.
  • PaaS (Platform as a Service): A cloud computing model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with infrastructure.
  • Resource Group: A container that holds related Azure resources for an application.

Command Syntax

The syntax for the az webapp create command is as follows:

az webapp create --resource-group <resource-group-name> --plan <app-service-plan-name> --name <webapp-name> [--runtime <runtime>] [--deployment-local-git] [--https-only] [--tags <tags>]

Parameters Table

Parameter Description
--resource-group -g The name of the resource group.
--plan -p The name of the App Service plan.
--name -n The name of the web app.
--runtime -r The runtime stack (e.g., `DOTNETCORE
--deployment-local-git Enable local Git deployment.
--https-only Enable HTTPS only access.
--tags Space-separated list of tags for the web app.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Create a Simple Web App

Create a basic web app in Azure:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name mySimpleWebApp --runtime "DOTNETCORE|3.1"

This command creates a web app using .NET Core 3.1 in the specified resource group and app service plan.

Example 2: Create a Web App with Node.js

Deploy a Node.js application:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myNodeWebApp --runtime "NODE|14-lts"

This sets up a web app that runs on Node.js version 14 LTS.

Example 3: Enable HTTPS Only

Create a web app that only allows HTTPS traffic:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name mySecureWebApp --runtime "PYTHON|3.8" --https-only

This ensures that all traffic to the web app is secured through HTTPS.

Example 4: Enable Local Git Deployment

Set up local Git deployment for your web app:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myGitWebApp --runtime "NODE|14-lts" --deployment-local-git

This command configures the web app to allow deployment via local Git.

Example 5: Create a Web App with Tags

Add tags to your web app for better organization:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myTaggedWebApp --runtime "DOTNETCORE|3.1" --tags environment=production project=myProject

Tags help in managing resources effectively, especially in larger environments.

Example 6: Create a Web App in a Specific Region

Specify a region for your web app:

az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myRegionalWebApp --runtime "NODE|14-lts" --location eastus

This creates the web app in the East US region, ensuring low latency for users in that area.

Example 7: Scale Up the App Service Plan

Scale the app service plan after the web app is created:

az appservice plan update --name myAppServicePlan --resource-group myResourceGroup --sku S1

This changes the pricing tier of the app service plan to Standard, allowing for more resources and features.

Example 8: Configure Application Settings

Set application settings for your web app:

az webapp update --resource-group myResourceGroup --name myWebApp --set appSettings={"WEBSITE_RUN_FROM_PACKAGE":"1"}

This command configures the web app to run from a package, which is useful for certain deployment scenarios.

Real-World Use Cases

Scenario 1: Hosting a Public Website

A company needs to host a public-facing website that serves a large number of users. By using Azure Web Apps, they can deploy their application quickly, scale it effortlessly, and benefit from built-in features such as custom domains and SSL certificates, ensuring a secure and professional user experience.

Scenario 2: Development and Testing Environments

Development teams can create temporary web apps for testing new features or bug fixes. This allows for rapid iteration without affecting the production environment. Once testing is complete, the app can be deleted or the changes can be promoted to the production web app.

Scenario 3: E-commerce Platform

An e-commerce platform needs to handle fluctuating traffic, especially during sales events. Azure Web Apps allows them to scale their application automatically based on demand, ensuring that the website remains responsive and available at all times.

Best Practices

  1. Use Managed Identity: Securely connect to other Azure services without managing credentials by using managed identities.
  2. Choose the Right Pricing Tier: Select an app service plan that meets your performance and scaling needs without overspending.
  3. Enable Auto-Scaling: Set up auto-scaling rules to manage resources based on traffic patterns automatically.
  4. Implement Continuous Deployment: Integrate CI/CD pipelines with Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions for seamless updates and rollbacks.
  5. Monitor Performance: Utilize Azure Monitor and Application Insights to track performance metrics and troubleshoot issues early.

Common Errors

  1. Error: "Resource group not found."

    • Cause: The specified resource group does not exist.
    • Solution: Create the resource group using az group create.

  2. Error: "Web app name already exists."

    • Cause: The chosen web app name is already taken.
    • Solution: Select a different, unique name for your web app.

  3. Error: "App Service plan not found."

    • Cause: The specified app service plan does not exist in the resource group.
    • Solution: Verify the name of the app service plan or create a new one.

  4. Error: "Invalid runtime specified."

    • Cause: The specified runtime is not supported or incorrectly formatted.
    • Solution: Check the available runtime stacks and ensure correct syntax.

Related Commands

Command Description
az webapp list List all web apps in a resource group.
az webapp show Show details of a specific web app.
az webapp delete Delete a web app from Azure.
az appservice plan create Create a new App Service plan.

Automation Script

Here's a simple bash script to automate the deployment of a web application:

#!/bin/bash

RESOURCE_GROUP="myResourceGroup"
APP_SERVICE_PLAN="myAppServicePlan"
WEB_APP_NAME="myAutomatedWebApp"
RUNTIME="DOTNETCORE|3.1"

# Create Resource Group
az group create --name $RESOURCE_GROUP --location eastus

# Create App Service Plan
az appservice plan create --name $APP_SERVICE_PLAN --resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUP --sku S1 --is-linux

# Create Web App
az webapp create --resource-group $RESOURCE_GROUP --plan $APP_SERVICE_PLAN --name $WEB_APP_NAME --runtime $RUNTIME --https-only

echo "Web app $WEB_APP_NAME has been created successfully!"

Conclusion

Azure Web Apps is an essential service for deploying and managing web applications in the cloud. The az webapp create command provides an efficient way to create and configure web apps, enabling developers to focus on building great applications rather than managing infrastructure.

Next Steps

  1. Experiment with advanced deployment options, such as Docker containers or deployment slots.
  2. Explore integrating Azure Functions for serverless computing alongside your web app.
  3. Monitor your web app's performance and implement necessary optimizations.

References