Azure Functions Core Tools is a set of cross-platform tools that allow you to develop, test, and deploy Azure Functions locally. This article will guide you through the process of setting up and using Azure Functions Core Tools on a Windows environment, focusing on how to create, run, and manage Azure Functions using Command Prompt (CMD) and PowerShell.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed on your Windows machine:

1. Node.js: Azure Functions Core Tools requires Node.js. You can download it from the official Node.js website.

2. Azure Functions Core Tools: Install via npm (Node Package Manager) using the following command in CMD or PowerShell:

   npm install -g azure-functions-core-tools@4 --unsafe-perm true

   This command installs the latest version of Azure Functions Core Tools globally.

3. Azure CLI (optional): For deploying functions to Azure, you might want to install the Azure Command-Line Interface. You can download it from the Azure CLI page.

Examples

Example 1: Creating a New Azure Function

1. Open CMD or PowerShell: You can use either Command Prompt or PowerShell to execute the following commands.

2. Create a New Function App: Navigate to the directory where you want to create your function app and run:

   func init MyFunctionApp --worker-runtime node

   This command initializes a new Azure Functions project in a directory named MyFunctionApp with Node.js as the runtime.

3. Create a New Function: Change to the newly created directory and create a new function:

   cd MyFunctionApp
   func new

   Follow the prompts to select a template, such as "HTTP trigger", and provide a name for your function.

Example 2: Running the Function Locally

1. Start the Function App: In the root directory of your function app, run:

   func start

   This command starts the Azure Functions runtime and allows you to test your function locally. You can access HTTP-triggered functions via http://localhost:7071/api/<FunctionName>.

Example 3: Deploying to Azure

1. Login to Azure: If you have the Azure CLI installed, log in to your Azure account:

   az login

2. Deploy the Function App: Use the following command to deploy your function app to Azure:

   func azure functionapp publish <YourFunctionAppName>

   Replace <YourFunctionAppName> with the name of your Azure Function App. This command packages your function app and deploys it to Azure.

Troubleshooting

• Permission Issues: If you encounter permission issues during installation, ensure you are running CMD or PowerShell as an administrator.
• Port Conflicts: If the default port (7071) is in use, you can specify a different port using the --port option with func start.