Microsoft Code Reference
Tools
| Need | Tool | Example |
|---|---|---|
| API method/class lookup | microsoft_docs_search | "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs" |
| Working code sample | microsoft_code_sample_search | query: "upload blob managed identity", language: "python" |
| Full API reference | microsoft_docs_fetch | Fetch URL from microsoft_docs_search (for overloads, full signatures) |
Finding Code Samples
Use microsoft_code_sample_search to get official, working examples:
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "upload file to blob storage", language: "csharp")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "authenticate with managed identity", language: "python")
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "send message service bus", language: "javascript")When to use:
- Before writing code—find a working pattern to follow
- After errors—compare your code against a known-good sample
- Unsure of initialization/setup—samples show complete context
API Lookups
# Verify method exists (include namespace for precision)
"BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
"GraphServiceClient Users Microsoft.Graph"
# Find class/interface
"DefaultAzureCredential class Azure.Identity"
# Find correct package
"Azure Blob Storage NuGet package"
"azure-storage-blob pip package"Fetch full page when method has multiple overloads or you need complete parameter details.
Error Troubleshooting
Use microsoft_code_sample_search to find working code samples and compare with your implementation. For specific errors, use microsoft_docs_search and microsoft_docs_fetch:
| Error Type | Query |
|---|---|
| Method not found | "[ClassName] methods [Namespace]" |
| Type not found | "[TypeName] NuGet package namespace" |
| Wrong signature | "[ClassName] [MethodName] overloads" → fetch full page |
| Deprecated warning | "[OldType] migration v12" |
| Auth failure | "DefaultAzureCredential troubleshooting" |
| 403 Forbidden | "[ServiceName] RBAC permissions" |
When to Verify
Always verify when:
- Method name seems "too convenient" (
UploadFilevs actualUpload) - Mixing SDK versions (v11
CloudBlobClientvs v12BlobServiceClient) - Package name doesn't follow conventions (
Azure.*for.NET,azure-*for Python) - Using an API for the first time
Validation Workflow
Before generating code using Microsoft SDKs, verify it's correct:
- Confirm method or package exists —
microsoft_docs_search(query: "[ClassName] [MethodName] [Namespace]") - Fetch full details (for overloads/complex params) —
microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...") - Find working sample —
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "[task]", language: "[lang]")
For simple lookups, step 1 alone may suffice. For complex API usage, complete all three steps.
CLI Alternative
If the Learn MCP server is not available, use the mslearn CLI from a terminal or shell (for example, Bash, PowerShell, or cmd) instead:
# Run directly (no install needed)
npx @microsoft/learn-cli search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"
# Or install globally, then run
npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli
mslearn search "BlobClient UploadAsync Azure.Storage.Blobs"| MCP Tool | CLI Command |
|---|---|
microsoft_docs_search(query: "...") | mslearn search "..." |
microsoft_code_sample_search(query: "...", language: "...") | mslearn code-search "..." --language... |
microsoft_docs_fetch(url: "...") | mslearn fetch "..." |
Pass --json to search or code-search to get raw JSON output for further processing.