Azure is one of the most advanced platforms that aid in managing software projects. If you asked us about its best feature, we would say it is the customization. You can have practically anything you want and need within Azure. It is not only thanks to its in-built features and various services it provides. It is because of Azure plugins, which instantly add new features to the existing functionalities you already have within Azure DevOps. What are Azure extensions, how do they work, and how to get them? Read on to find the answers to all vexed questions in our today's article.
What are Azure extensions?
Add-ons, plugins, and extensions- these are all different names of extra tools that you can get and configure within Azure DevOps. These tools bring additional functionalities, which you can customize to extend your experience with Azure DevOps. They are created in well-known technologies, languages, and development tools, such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
You can get extensions from the Visual Studio Marketplace. You can build them and keep them private for your (and your team use) only. You can also make them public and available for all Azure DevOps users. Extensions use Azure RESTful API Library, therefore, they can effortlessly work with Azure DevOps, applications, and services.
Should you build an extension?
You will be pleased to know you can not only install the ready-made extensions but also create them yourself. However, before you do so, it is always worth familiarizing yourself with the already-existing ones. After all, the extensions are there to simplify our work and make us more efficient. It would be a waste of time to build something that has already been created.
If you still find yourself in need of a custom-made extension, you can visit the Azure learning center to get extensive instructions on how to do it.
Popular Azure extensions
We have prepared a few plugin examples as a point of reference for you while browsing through the Marketplace.
Time Tracker by TimeCamp
If you are looking for an app that allows you to track time for tasks and projects, you will hardly find anything better than TimeCamp. Automatic timesheets provided by the software measure the time devoted to work. At the end of the work day you not only get the summary of worked hours but also valuable data which can help you improve your team members' performance.
Once you enable the integration, your whole project structure migrates to TimeCamp.
There is no need to change anything within the rhythm of your work. You simply get additional useful data regarding time. Plus, there is no need to switch between apps anymore!
TimeCamp also adds reporting functionality that helps with billing, invoicing, and resource management.
CatLight
It is an action center for developers. You can use CatLight to enable enhanced notifications for Azure DevOps. Never again miss any updates on builds, releases, pull requests, and tasks.
Other features:
notifying the team about investigating the build
separate build history for every git branch
build progress display
a real-time dashboard with build status
multiple TFS and Azure DevOps server monitoring
Team Project Health
This plugin example is useful when you are running many CI/CD pipelines. It helps the user to visualize the overall health of the projects. This add-on has multiple dashboard widgets thanks to which you can create a visual cue on the dashboards.
How to choose the right plugin?
Since extensions are such a help, it should be easy to simply get to the Marketplace and install them. In theory, there is nothing difficult about it. But in practice, there are thousands of Azure plugins. Some are made by Microsoft, and some are third-party add-ons. Many have similar functionalities and ratings. How do you know which one to choose?
It is always a good idea to search for something you specifically need. Therefore, study the plugin description provided by Azure Whether it is collaboration, project management tool, or time tracking, also always do your research. Look at the reviews or feedback in relation to how many users have downloaded the app.
Time management
