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 using MI link, HA/DR and geo-replication, Entra/Kerberos auth, Key Vault TDE, or XEvents/Intelligent Insights, 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 for MariaDB (use azure-database-mariadb), Azure Database for MySQL (use azure-database-mysql). compatibility: Requires network access. Uses mcp_microsoftdocs:microsoft_docs_fetch or fetch_webpage to retrieve documentation. metadata: generated_at: "2026-04-19" 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-L54 | Diagnosing and fixing Azure SQL/Managed Instance issues: deployment and scaling errors, performance and connectivity problems, geo-replication/redo lag, memory/log full, XTP storage, link, and Kerberos auth. |
| Best Practices | L55-L76 | Performance, monitoring, and reliability best practices for Azure SQL Managed Instance: tuning queries/apps, monitoring with DMVs/KQL, alerts, HA/DR, failover, read scale-out, and migration guidance. |
| Decision Making | L77-L90 | Guidance for choosing Azure SQL Managed Instance vs other Azure SQL options, tiers, pools, networking, HA/DR options, ML differences, and planning Db2/Oracle migrations. |
| Architecture & Design Patterns | L91-L95 | Connectivity architecture, networking models, and connection options for Azure SQL Database, including gateways, endpoints, firewalls, and integration with VNets and private access. |
| Limits & Quotas | L96-L105 | Limits, quotas, and performance caps for Azure SQL MI: DTUs, free-tier and memory limits, resource ceilings, monitoring behavior, and how to request quota increases. |
| Security | L106-L160 | Configuring Azure SQL Managed Instance security: Entra auth and logins, Windows/Kerberos, managed identities, TDE and Key Vault, TLS, auditing, threat protection, networking, and policy-based controls. |
| Configuration | L161-L212 | Configuring and monitoring SQL Managed Instance: networking, backups/restore, maintenance windows, alerts, metrics/logs, Intelligent Insights, XEvents, auditing, and deployment options. |
| Integrations & Coding Patterns | L213-L236 | 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 | L237-L257 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Review database watcher FAQ for Azure SQL monitoring behavior | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database-watcher-faq?view=azuresql |
| Understand DTU benchmark characteristics for Azure SQL Database | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/dtu-benchmark?view=azuresql |
| Request quota increases for Azure SQL resources | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/quota-increase-request?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 |
| Review Azure SQL Managed Instance resource limits | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/managed-instance/resource-limits?view=azuresql |