# Azure Technology Research Guide

> **Guide Origin**: Official | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION]

`/arckit:azure-research` researches Azure services, architecture patterns, and implementation guidance using the Microsoft Learn MCP server for authoritative documentation.

> **Agent Architecture**: This command runs as an autonomous agent via the Task tool. The agent makes 15-30+ MCP calls to gather Azure documentation in its own context window, keeping the main conversation clean. The slash command is a thin wrapper that delegates to the agent.

---

## Prerequisites

### Microsoft Learn MCP Server (REQUIRED)

This command **requires** the Microsoft Learn MCP server to be installed. It will not work without it.

**Installation**:

Add to your Claude Code MCP configuration (`~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json` or project `.mcp.json`):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "microsoft-docs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@anthropic/mcp-server-microsoft-docs"]
    }
  }
}
```

After installation, restart Claude Code to load the MCP server.

**Slow corporate network?** On TLS-inspecting proxies, VPN tunnels, or congested links, large-scope research prompts can exceed Claude Code's default per-request fetch timeout. Set `MCP_TOOL_TIMEOUT=300000` (5 minutes, in milliseconds) before launching Claude — see [MCP per-request timeout](mcp-servers.md#optional-mcp-per-request-timeout-claude-code-v21142) in the MCP setup guide. Requires Claude Code v2.1.142+.

### Project Prerequisites

- Requirements document (`ARC-*-REQ-*.md`) - **MANDATORY**
- Data model (`ARC-*-DATA-*.md`) - Recommended for database selection
- Stakeholders (`ARC-*-STKE-*.md`) - Recommended for priorities

---

## Scenario Matrix

| Scenario | Prompt seed | Focus |
|---------|-------------|-------|
| Service selection | "Research Azure services for <capability>" | Maps requirements to Azure services |
| Architecture pattern | "Research Azure architecture pattern for <pattern>" | Reference architectures from Azure Architecture Center |
| UK Government | "Research Azure for UK Government <project>" | G-Cloud, data residency, NCSC compliance |
| AI/ML workloads | "Research Azure AI services for <use case>" | Azure OpenAI, Cognitive Services, ML |
| Migration | "Research Azure migration options for <workload>" | Azure Migrate, modernization paths |
| Security assessment | "Research Azure Security Benchmark for <domain>" | Control mapping, Well-Architected security |

Add constraints (budget, classification, region) in the prompt for tailored results.

---

## Command

```bash
/arckit:azure-research Research Azure services for <project>
```

Outputs: `projects/<id>/research/ARC-<id>-AZRS-v1.0.md`

> **Auto-versioning**: Re-running this command when a document already exists automatically increments the version (minor for refreshed content, major for changed scope) instead of overwriting.

---

## Long runs: Remote Control + push notifications

`/arckit:azure-research` frequently exceeds 10 minutes as the agent issues dozens of Microsoft Learn MCP calls and fetches full documentation pages for cost and compliance analysis. To avoid babysitting the terminal, pair it with [Claude Code Remote Control](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/remote-control):

```bash
claude remote-control
```

Drive the session from claude.ai/code or the mobile app, then enable `/config → Push when Claude decides` so your phone gets a notification on completion or when the agent reaches a decision point (service shortlist confirmation, region selection). ArcKit's minimum Claude Code floor (v2.1.287) already covers the v2.1.110 RC requirement.

Caveats: Pro/Max plans only (no API keys, no Bedrock/Vertex/Foundry), push is a single on/off so chatty agents can over-notify, and the local `claude` process must keep running.

---

## MCP Tools Used

The command uses three Microsoft Learn MCP tools:

| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `microsoft_docs_search` | Search Azure documentation for services, patterns, best practices |
| `microsoft_docs_fetch` | Retrieve complete documentation pages for detailed analysis |
| `microsoft_code_sample_search` | Find Bicep, Terraform, and SDK code samples |

---

## Output Highlights

- **Azure Service Recommendations**: Mapped to specific requirements (FR, NFR, INT, DR)
- **Architecture Pattern**: Reference architecture from Azure Architecture Center
- **Well-Architected Assessment**: All 5 pillars evaluated per service
- **Azure Security Benchmark**: 12 control domains mapped
- **UK Government Compliance**: G-Cloud, UK regions, NCSC principles
- **Cost Estimates**: Monthly and 3-year TCO with optimization recommendations
- **Implementation Guidance**: Bicep/Terraform templates, Azure DevOps pipelines

---

## UK Government Features

When UK Government project detected:

| Area | Coverage |
|------|----------|
| **G-Cloud** | Framework reference, service IDs, procurement steps |
| **Data Residency** | UK South/UK West availability, geo-replication |
| **Classification** | OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, SECRET suitability |
| **NCSC** | 14 Cloud Security Principles alignment |
| **Scottish Government** | AI Strategy, Cyber Resilience Framework |

---

## Follow-on Actions

- Feed Azure findings into `/arckit:diagram` for Azure architecture diagrams
- Run `/arckit:secure` to validate against UK Secure by Design
- Run `/arckit:devops` to plan Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines
- Run `/arckit:finops` to create Azure FinOps cost management strategy
- Run `/arckit:adr` to document Azure service selection decisions

---

## Comparison with /arckit:research

| Feature | `/arckit:research` | `/arckit:azure-research` |
|---------|-------------------|-------------------------|
| Scope | Multi-cloud, SaaS, open-source | Azure-specific only |
| Source | Web search, multiple sources | Microsoft Learn MCP (authoritative) |
| Depth | Build vs buy analysis | Deep Azure service analysis |
| Compliance | General UK Gov | Azure-specific UK compliance |
| Code samples | Limited | Bicep, Terraform, SDKs |
| Cost estimates | High-level | Detailed Azure pricing |

**When to use which**:

- Use `/arckit:research` for cloud-agnostic evaluation or build vs buy
- Use `/arckit:azure-research` when Azure is the target platform

---

## Resources

- [Microsoft Learn MCP](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/support/mcp) - MCP server documentation
- [Azure Architecture Center](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/) - Reference architectures
- [Azure Well-Architected Framework](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/well-architected/) - Design guidance
- [Azure Security Benchmark](https://learn.microsoft.com/security/benchmark/azure/) - Security controls
- [Azure UK Compliance](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/compliance/offerings/offering-uk-g-cloud) - UK Government compliance