What is an Azure Automation Runbook?

An Azure Automation runbook is fundamentally a programmable script or workflow that the Azure Automation service executes for you to automate repetitive cloud and on-premises management tasks within your Azure subscription. 

You author these runbooks using PowerShell, Python, or a graphical editor. Once created, you store them in an Automation Account, which serves as the central point for security and management because it grants the runbook access to your subscription via Managed Identity or Azure RBAC authentication. 

This authorisation is what gives the runbook permission to perform tasks like starting VMs, modifying storage, sending alerts, or managing any Azure resource you authorise. You can then run them flexibly on demand, on a schedule, or triggered by events and webhooks, and they have the versatility to run either in Microsoft’s cloud or on your own infrastructure using a Hybrid Runbook Worker. 

The name “runbook” itself comes from traditional IT operations, where it meant a manual checklist. Azure runbooks simply automate those checklists into self-executing code that runs without human intervention.

What does an Azure Automation Runbook do?

An Azure Automation runbook runs your tasks automatically in the cloud, so you can manage Azure resources (and even non-Azure systems) more efficiently. To make this possible, Azure provides a dedicated, cloud-based automation service (Azure Automation) to host and execute these runbooks, ensuring consistent management across both your Azure and on-premises environments. 

This is a critical distinction because runbooks operate one layer up from standard scripting. Regular scripts running inside a Virtual Machine operate at the OS level, managing files or installing software within that single machine. By contrast, runbooks control the Azure platform itself, allowing them to execute high-level management tasks like scaling app services, backing up databases, managing resource groups, or shutting down entire environments.

These runbooks automate three broad operational areas: deploying and managing infrastructure as code, responding to events with automated diagnostics and remediation, and orchestrating workflows across Azure and third-party services. 

In practice, this means you can use a runbook to perform essential maintenance tasks, such as restarting a virtual machine every night, rotating backup files weekly, executing periodic maintenance like database reindexing and stale data purging, or initiating alert-driven responses when cost or resource utilisation thresholds are triggered; all without manual intervention.

 

What types of Runbooks can I use?

Azure Automation supports several runbook types, allowing flexibility in how you create your automation:

PowerShell Runbooks

These runbooks execute standard PowerShell scripts, making them the preferred choice for most Azure administrators who are already familiar with PowerShell cmdlets and modules. 

They work excellently for day-to-day Azure administration, can utilise shared Automation assets, and can call other runbooks. You can author them in the Azure portal or import existing scripts. For new development, standard PowerShell is recommended as it receives active support and updates.

Python Runbooks

Python runbooks run standard Python scripts. They are ideal if your team already uses Python for other automation tasks or if you require specific Python libraries, which you can manage within the azure automation account or install on the worker. 

While they can run in the Azure sandbox or on Hybrid Runbook Workers, note that webhooks cannot start a Python runbook, so you must trigger them on a schedule, from an alert/action group, or via another runbook.

Graphical Runbooks

Graphical runbooks use a visual editor in the Azure portal where you drag activities onto a canvas and link them to define the workflow. This reduces the need to write code, although complex logic often requires a PowerShell code activity. They are convenient if you prefer visual authoring, but they offer less flexibility as you author them only in the portal, cannot edit them with external tools, and cannot convert them to text formats. 

They run on the Windows PowerShell runtime, which means they do not run on Linux Hybrid Runbook Workers. The Windows PowerShell runtime also prevents access to newer PowerShell runtime features available in PowerShell 7 and later versions. These constraints make graphical runbooks suitable for simpler automation scenarios where visual authoring outweighs the need for advanced scripting capabilities or cross-platform execution.

PowerShell Workflow Runbooks (legacy) 

These runbooks use the older Windows PowerShell Workflow model. Their key features include support for checkpoints to resume after failures and the ability to run activities in parallel. 

However, Workflow is not supported in newer PowerShell modules, so these runbooks remain on the older Windows PowerShell-based runtime. Unless you specifically need Workflow features, standard PowerShell runbooks are simpler to write and maintain.

Each runbook type has its considerations, but the PowerShell and Python runbooks are most commonly used for their power and simplicity. It’s also worth noting you cannot convert a graphical runbook to text or vice versa directly, so you’ll choose a format and stick with it per runbook. Also, be sure to use a supported runtime version for your runbook’s language. 

What are some real use cases for Azure Automation Runbooks

Azure Automation runbooks shine in many real-world scenarios. Here are a few practical examples of what you can automate with runbooks:

Scheduled Cloud Resource Management

Stop or deallocate virtual machines during off-hours and start them in the morning to save costs. You write a runbook that shuts down development VMs at 6 PM and starts them at 8 AM.

Maintenance and Cleanup Tasks

Perform routine maintenance like purging old log files or backing up databases on a schedule. For example, you could run a nightly backup script or a weekly job to delete orphaned resources (unused IPs, disks, etc.) to keep your environment tidy. Runbooks can also reindex a database or clear caches as periodic upkeep.

Deployment Automation

Orchestrate multi-step deployments or configurations. You might combine runbooks with Azure Resource Manager templates or CI/CD pipelines, e.g. deploy a VM or web app, then use a runbook to configure post-deployment settings across environments. This ensures deployments are consistent and repeatable.

Responding to Alerts and Events

Runbooks can act as responders. For instance, if an Azure Monitor alert fires (such as high CPU on a VM or a cost budget threshold reached), it can trigger a runbook to take action. The runbook might scale out an instance, restart a service, or send notifications. This automatic response helps keep systems stable and costs in check without manual intervention.

Hybrid Automation (On-Premises/Other Clouds)

With a feature called Hybrid Runbook Worker, runbooks aren’t limited to Azure itself. You can run a runbook on a local server in your datacenter or in another cloud to automate on-premises systems or VMs in other environments. For example, a runbook could create users in an on-prem Active Directory or run a script on an AWS VM, providing a central automation approach for multiple environments via Azure’s cloud service.

Reporting and Inventory

Generate reports or gather data across resources. A runbook could regularly list all VMs lacking proper tags or compile an inventory of resources and email it to admins. Because runbooks can access Azure APIs and services, they’re useful for collecting and outputting information (e.g. checking for policy compliance or unused assets).

These examples only scratch the surface. If there’s a repetitive or schedulable task in your Azure operations, chances are you can automate it with a runbook. 

 

When should I use Azure Automation Runbooks?

Use runbooks when you want consistent, scriptable process automation across Azure and hybrid environments. They’re a good fit when you need to automate, schedule, or standardise operational tasks like maintenance jobs, resource lifecycle management, environment cleanup, and scripts you find yourself running regularly.

Use runbooks if:

• The task repeats on a schedule or fires from an event. Schedule it or trigger it from alerts, action groups, or webhooks instead of clicking through the portal.
• You’re managing Azure resources or configurations. Runbooks work well with Azure cmdlets and modules and run with an Azure context to scale services, change settings, gather metrics, and more.
• You want centralised and controlled automation. Runbooks live in an Automation Account with Azure RBAC. You can control who edits or runs them and use managed identities or stored credentials so secrets stay out of scripts.
• You need job history and auditability. Each run is a job with status and logs you can review.
• You need to combine steps. A single runbook can create a resource group, deploy storage, configure networking, apply tags, and notify your team when it’s done.
• You care about cost control. Runbooks can shut down dev environments after hours, remove stale snapshots, or rightsize VMs based on usage.
• You need cross-environment reach. With Hybrid Runbook Workers, the same runbook can touch on-premises systems or other clouds from one place.

Look elsewhere if:

• The task is a one-off. Run it in Cloud Shell or your terminal and move on.
• The logic is application-level with complex branching or event handling. Azure Functions is better for code that reacts to events. Azure Logic Apps is better for connecting many SaaS services with little code.
• The work happens entirely inside a VM or container. Use PowerShell remoting, SSH, or your configuration tool on the machine itself.

You can mix services when it helps. A Logic App can call a webhook to start a runbook. An Azure Monitor alert can trigger a runbook to take action. Pick the tool that matches the job, then let the runbook handle the steady, repeatable operations.

 

Next steps with Azure Automation Runbooks

Not sure where to start, or short on time. We can help. From your first Automation Account to scheduled jobs and access control, our Azure specialists will set you up the right way. Get in touch and we’ll map the next steps with you.