---
name: deploy-model
description: "Unified Azure OpenAI model deployment skill with intelligent intent-based routing. Handles quick preset deployments, fully customized deployments (version/SKU/capacity/RAI policy), and capacity discovery across regions and projects. USE FOR: deploy model, deploy gpt, create deployment, model deployment, deploy openai model, set up model, provision model, find capacity, check model availability, where can I deploy, best region for model, capacity analysis. DO NOT USE FOR: listing existing deployments (use foundry_models_deployments_list MCP tool), deleting deployments, agent creation (use agent/create), project creation (use project/create)."
license: MIT
metadata:
author: Microsoft
version: "1.0.0"
---
# Deploy Model
> **Scope — read this first.** This skill creates model deployments **out-of-band** via Azure CLI / MCP / portal. For azd-managed Foundry projects (those scaffolded from `azd-ai-starter-basic` or via `azd ai agent init`), declare deployments in `azure.yaml services.ai-project.deployments[]` instead — `azd ai agent init` writes the entry from the sample manifest and `azd provision` creates the deployment through Bicep. See [foundry-agent/create/create-hosted.md](../../foundry-agent/create/create-hosted.md) for the Golden Path. Use this skill only for: (a) Foundry projects not managed by an azd project, (b) ad-hoc deployments outside the azd lifecycle.
Unified entry point for all Azure OpenAI model deployment workflows. Analyzes user intent and routes to the appropriate deployment mode.
## Quick Reference
| Mode | When to Use | Sub-Skill |
|------|-------------|-----------|
| **Preset** | Quick deployment, no customization needed | [preset/SKILL.md](preset/SKILL.md) |
| **Customize** | Full control: version, SKU, capacity, RAI policy | [customize/SKILL.md](customize/SKILL.md) |
| **Capacity Discovery** | Find where you can deploy with specific capacity | [capacity/SKILL.md](capacity/SKILL.md) |
## Intent Detection
Analyze the user's prompt and route to the correct mode:
```
User Prompt
│
├─ Simple deployment (no modifiers)
│ "deploy gpt-4o", "set up a model"
│ └─> PRESET mode
│
├─ Customization keywords present
│ "custom settings", "choose version", "select SKU",
│ "set capacity to X", "configure content filter",
│ "PTU deployment", "with specific quota"
│ └─> CUSTOMIZE mode
│
├─ Capacity/availability query
│ "find where I can deploy", "check capacity",
│ "which region has X capacity", "best region for 10K TPM",
│ "where is this model available"
│ └─> CAPACITY DISCOVERY mode
│
└─ Ambiguous (has capacity target + deploy intent)
"deploy gpt-4o with 10K capacity to best region"
└─> CAPACITY DISCOVERY first → then PRESET or CUSTOMIZE
```
### Routing Rules
| Signal in Prompt | Route To | Reason |
|------------------|----------|--------|
| Just model name, no options | **Preset** | User wants quick deployment |
| "custom", "configure", "choose", "select" | **Customize** | User wants control |
| "find", "check", "where", "which region", "available" | **Capacity** | User wants discovery |
| Specific capacity number + "best region" | **Capacity → Preset** | Discover then deploy quickly |
| Specific capacity number + "custom" keywords | **Capacity → Customize** | Discover then deploy with options |
| "PTU", "provisioned throughput" | **Customize** | PTU requires SKU selection |
| "optimal region", "best region" (no capacity target) | **Preset** | Region optimization is preset's specialty |
### Multi-Mode Chaining
Some prompts require two modes in sequence:
**Pattern: Capacity → Deploy**
When a user specifies a capacity requirement AND wants deployment:
1. Run **Capacity Discovery** to find regions/projects with sufficient quota
2. Present findings to user
3. Ask: "Would you like to deploy with **quick defaults** or **customize settings**?"
4. Route to **Preset** or **Customize** based on answer
> 💡 **Tip:** If unsure which mode the user wants, default to **Preset** (quick deployment). Users who want customization will typically use explicit keywords like "custom", "configure", or "with specific settings".
## Project Selection (All Modes)
Before any deployment, resolve which project to deploy to. This applies to **all** modes (preset, customize, and after capacity discovery).
### Resolution Order
1. **Check `PROJECT_RESOURCE_ID` env var** — if set, use it as the default
2. **Check user prompt** — if user named a specific project or region, use that
3. **If neither** — query the user's projects and suggest the current one
### Confirmation Step (Required)
**Always confirm the target before deploying.** Show the user what will be used and give them a chance to change it:
```
Deploying to:
Project: <project-name>
Region: <region>
Resource: <resource-group>
Is this correct? Or choose a different project:
1. ✅ Yes, deploy here (default)
2. 📋 Show me other projects in this region
3. 🌍 Choose a different region
```
If user picks option 2, show top 5 projects in that region:
```
Projects in <region>:
1. project-alpha (rg-alpha)
2. project-beta (rg-beta)
3. project-gamma (rg-gamma)
...
```
> ⚠️ **Never deploy without showing the user which project will be used.** This prevents accidental deployments to the wrong resource.
## Pre-Deployment Validation (All Modes)
Before presenting any deployment options (SKU, capacity), always validate both of these:
1. **Model supports the SKU** — query the model catalog to confirm the selected model+version supports the target SKU:
```bash
az cognitiveservices model list --location <region> --subscription <sub-id> -o json
```
Filter for the model, extract `.model.skus[].name` to get supported SKUs.
2. **Subscription has available quota** — check that the user's subscription has unallocated quota for the SKU+model combination:
```bash
az cognitiveservices usage list --location <region> --subscription <sub-id> -o json
```
Match by usage name pattern `OpenAI.<SKU>.<model-name>` (e.g., `OpenAI.GlobalStandard.gpt-4o`). Compute `available = limit - currentValue`.
> ⚠️ **Warning:** Only present options that pass both checks. Do NOT show hardcoded SKU lists — always query dynamically. SKUs with 0 available quota should be shown as ❌ informational items, not selectable options.
> 💡 **Quota management:** For quota increase requests, usage monitoring, and troubleshooting quota errors, defer to the [quota skill](../../quota/quota.md) instead of duplicating that guidance inline.
## Prerequisites
All deployment modes require:
- Azure CLI installed and authenticated (`az login`)
- Active Azure subscription with deployment permissions
- Azure AI Foundry project resource ID (or agent will help discover it via `PROJECT_RESOURCE_ID` env var)
## Sub-Skills
- **[preset/SKILL.md](preset/SKILL.md)** — Quick deployment to optimal region with sensible defaults
- **[customize/SKILL.md](customize/SKILL.md)** — Interactive guided flow with full configuration control
- **[capacity/SKILL.md](capacity/SKILL.md)** — Discover available capacity across regions and projects