name: azure-sql-managed-instance description: Expert knowledge for Azure SQL Managed Instance development including troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. Use when planning MI tiers/migrations, configuring networking, HA/DR & geo‑replication, security (Entra/TDE), or MI Link, and other Azure SQL Managed Instance related development tasks. Not for Azure SQL Database (use azure-sql-database), SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (use azure-sql-virtual-machines), Azure Database Migration service (use azure-database-migration). compatibility: Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation. metadata: generated_at: "2026-06-21" generator: "docs2skills/1.0.0"
Azure SQL Managed Instance Skill
This skill provides expert guidance for Azure SQL Managed Instance. Covers troubleshooting, best practices, decision making, architecture & design patterns, limits & quotas, security, configuration, integrations & coding patterns, and deployment. It combines local quick-reference content with remote documentation fetching capabilities.
How to Use This Skill
IMPORTANT for Agent: Use the Category Index below to locate relevant sections. For categories with line ranges (e.g.,
L35-L120), useread_filewith the specified lines. For categories with file links (e.g.,[security.md](security.md)), useread_fileon the linked reference file
IMPORTANT for Agent: If
metadata.generated_atis more than 3 months old, suggest the user pull the latest version from the repository. Ifmcp_microsoftdocstools are not available, suggest the user install it: Installation Guide
This skill requires network access to fetch documentation content:
- Preferred: Use
mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetchwith query stringfrom=learn-agent-skill. Returns Markdown. - Fallback: Use
fetch_webpagewith query stringfrom=learn-agent-skill&accept=text/markdown. Returns Markdown.
Category Index
| Category | Lines | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | L37-L55 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure SQL Managed Instance issues: deployment/scale errors, performance, connectivity, geo‑replication, memory/log full, XTP storage, MI Link, and Entra Kerberos auth. |
| Best Practices | L56-L77 | Best practices for monitoring, tuning, securing, and operating Azure SQL Managed Instance, including performance, HA/DR, maintenance, alerts, and read-scale/replication scenarios. |
| Decision Making | L78-L91 | Guidance for choosing Azure SQL MI vs other Azure SQL options, selecting tiers and subnet sizes, configuring standby/replicas, and planning migrations from SQL Server, Db2, and Oracle. |
| Architecture & Design Patterns | L92-L96 | Connectivity architecture, networking models, and connection options for Azure SQL Database, including gateways, endpoints, firewalls, and integration with VNets and private access. |
| Limits & Quotas | L97-L105 | Limits, quotas, and capacity for Azure SQL MI: DTU characteristics, free-tier caps, memory/OLTP limits, maintenance windows, and how to review or request higher resource quotas. |
| Security | L106-L160 | Configuring Azure SQL Managed Instance security: Entra auth, identities, TDE & Key Vault, TLS, auditing, threat protection, private endpoints, Windows/Kerberos auth, and secure configuration. |
| Configuration | L161-L209 | Configuring and operating SQL Managed Instance: networking and connectivity, backups and restore, monitoring and alerts, maintenance and updates, auditing, and SQL/MI behavioral differences. |
| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L210-L233 | Connecting apps and tools to SQL Managed Instance (.NET, Java, Python, etc.), automation, data import, DTC, XEvents, MI Link, backups, tracing, and Spark integration. |
| Deployment | L234-L254 | Deploying, scaling, moving, and pausing Azure SQL Managed Instance; networking setup, regional availability, DR/replication, migrations, and BACPAC import/export. |
Troubleshooting
Best Practices
Decision Making
Architecture & Design Patterns
| Topic | URL |
|---|---|
| Understand connectivity architecture for Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/connectivity-architecture?view=azuresql |
Limits & Quotas
| Topic | URL |
|---|---|
| Understand DTU benchmark characteristics for Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/dtu-benchmark?view=azuresql |
| Understand free-tier limits for Azure SQL Managed Instance | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/free-offer?view=azuresql |
| Adopt In-memory OLTP and understand memory limits in SQL MI | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/in-memory-oltp-configure?view=azuresql |
| Understand Azure SQL Managed Instance maintenance windows | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/maintenance-window-faq?view=azuresql |
| Review Azure SQL Managed Instance resource limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/resource-limits?view=azuresql |