How to Deploy a Python Azure Function from GitLab using a CI/CD pipeline

To deploy a Python Azure Function from GitLab using a CI/CD pipeline, follow these steps:

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1. Prerequisites

-Azure Subscription and an Azure Function App created

-Azure CLI installed

-GitLab repository with Python function code

-Deployment credentials (Service Principal or Publish Profile)

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2. Setup Deployment Credentials in GitLab

Option 1: Use Azure Service Principal (Recommended)

1. Create a Service Principal in Azure:

az ad sp create-for-rbac --name "gitlab-deploy" --role contributor --scopes /subscriptions/<SUBSCRIPTION_ID>/resourceGroups/<RESOURCE_GROUP>

Output:

{

    "appId": "xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx",

    "displayName": "gitlab-deploy",

    "password": "xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx",

    "tenant": "xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx"

}

2. Store these credentials in GitLab CI/CD Variables:

AZURE_APP_ID: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

AZURE_PASSWORD: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

AZURE_TENANT_ID: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

AZURE_SUBSCRIPTION_ID: <Your Azure Subscription ID>

AZURE_FUNCTIONAPP_NAME: <Your Function App Name>

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3. Create .gitlab-ci.yml for CI/CD Pipeline

Add the following .gitlab-ci.yml file to the root of your repository:

stages:

  - deploy

variables:

  AZURE_RESOURCE_GROUP: "my-resource-group"

  FUNCTION_APP_NAME: "$AZURE_FUNCTIONAPP_NAME"

deploy_to_azure:

  image: mcr.microsoft.com/azure-cli

  stage: deploy

  script:

    - echo "Logging into Azure..."

    - az login --service-principal -u "$AZURE_APP_ID" -p "$AZURE_PASSWORD" --tenant "$AZURE_TENANT_ID"

    - az account set --subscription "$AZURE_SUBSCRIPTION_ID"

    

    - echo "Deploying Function App..."

    - func azure functionapp publish $FUNCTION_APP_NAME

  only:

    - main

This script:

Logs into Azure using Service Principal

Sets the subscription

Deploys the function app from the GitLab repository

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4. Enable Git Deployment in Azure

Ensure Git-based deployment is enabled on the Azure Function App:

az functionapp deployment source config --name <YOUR_FUNCTION_APP_NAME> --resource-group <YOUR_RESOURCE_GROUP> --repo-url <YOUR_GITLAB_REPO_URL> --branch main

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5. Commit and Push Changes

git add .gitlab-ci.yml

git commit -m "Added GitLab CI/CD for Azure Function"

git push origin main

This will trigger the pipeline and deploy your function to Azure.

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6. Verify Deployment

After deployment, check logs with:

az functionapp log tail --name $FUNCTION_APP_NAME --resource-group $AZURE_RESOURCE_GROUP

Or visit the Azure Portal -> Function App -> "Deployment Center" to verify the latest deployment.