Getting Started with the AI Dev Gallery
The AI Dev Gallery is a new open-source project designed to inspire and support developers in integrating on-device AI functionality into their Windows apps. It offers an intuitive UX for exploring and testing interactive AI samples powered by local models. Key features include: Quickly explore and download models from well-known sources on GitHub and HuggingFace. Test different models with interactive samples over 25 different scenarios, including text, image, audio, and video use cases. See all relevant code and library references for every sample. Switch between models that run on CPU and GPU depending on your device capabilities. Quickly get started with your own projects by exporting any sample to a fresh Visual Studio project that references the same model cache, preventing duplicate downloads. Part of the motivation behind the Gallery was exposing developers to the host of benefits that come with on-device AI. Some of these benefits include improved data security and privacy, increased control and parameterization, and no dependence on an internet connection or third-party cloud provider. Requirements Device Requirements Minimum OS Version: Windows 10, version 1809 (10.0; Build 17763) Architecture: x64, ARM64 Memory: At least 16 GB is recommended Disk Space: At least 20GB free space is recommended GPU: 8GB of VRAM is recommended for running samples on the GPU Visual Studio 2022 You will need Visual Studio 2022 with the Windows Application Development workload. Running the Gallery To run the gallery: Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/microsoft/AI-Dev-Gallery.git Run the solution: .\AIDevGallery.sln HitF5 to build and run the Gallery Using the Gallery The AI Dev Gallery has can be navigated in two ways: The Samples View The Models View Navigating Samples In this view, samples are broken up into categories (Text, Code, Image, etc.) and then into more specific samples, like in the Translate Text pictured below: On clicking a sample, you will be prompted to choose a model to download if you haven’t run this sample before: Next to the model you can see the size of the model, whether it will run on CPU or GPU, and the associated license. Pick the model that makes the most sense for your machine. You can also download new models and change the model for a sample later from the sample view. Just click the model drop down at the top of the sample: The last thing you can do from the Sample pane is view the sample code and export the project to Visual Studio. Both buttons are found in the top right corner of the sample, and the code view will look like this: Navigating Models If you would rather navigate by models instead of samples, the Gallery also provides the model view: The model view contains a similar navigation menu on the right to navigate between models based on category. Clicking on a model will allow you to see a description of the model, the versions of it that are available to download, and the samples that use the model. Clicking on a sample will take back over to the samples view where you can see the model in action. Deleting and Managing Models If you need to clear up space or see download details for the models you are using, you can head over the Settings page to manage your downloads: From here, you can easily see every model you have downloaded and how much space on your drive they are taking up. You can clear your entire cache for a fresh start or delete individual models that you are no longer using. Any deleted model can be redownload through either the models or samples view. Next Steps for the Gallery The AI Dev Gallery is still a work in progress, and we plan on adding more samples and features to take the experience even further. If you have feedback, noticed a bug, or any ideas for features or samples, head over to the issue board and submit an issue. We also have a discussion board for any other topics relevant to the Gallery. The Gallery is an open-source project, and we would love contribution, feedback, and ideation! Happy modeling!This Month in Azure Static Web Apps | 10/2024
We’re back with another edition of the Azure Static Web Apps Community! 🎉 October was a month full of incredible contributions from the Technical Community! 🚀 If you’d like to learn more about Azure Static Web Apps, we have: 🔹Tutorials 🔹Videos 🔹Sample Code 🔹Official Documentation 🔹 And much more! Want to be featured here next month but don’t know how? Keep reading and find out how to participate at the end of this article! 😉 🤝Special Thanks A big thank you to everyone who contributed amazing content to the community! You are the reason this community is so special! ❤️ Let’s dive into this month’s highlights! 🌟Community Content Highlights – October 2024 Below are the key contributions created by the community this month. Video: Azure Data API Builder Community Standup - Static Web Apps Date:October 2, 2024 Author:Microsoft Azure Developers Link:Azure Data API Builder Community Standup - Static Web Apps TheAzure Data API Builder Community Standupshowcased how Azure Static Web Apps simplifies the development and deployment of static applications integrated with databases on Azure. The session explored connecting front-end apps to databases like Cosmos DB, Azure SQL, MySQL, and PostgreSQL using REST or GraphQL endpoints provided by the Data API Builder. The integration with Azure Static Web Apps offers a managed experience for the Data API Builder, eliminating container management and ensuring a simple and efficient setup. Highlights included automatic database connection initialization via theswad db initcommand and configuration files to define schemas and access permissions. TheDatabase Connectionsfeature, currently inpreview, was showcased as an ideal solution for use cases requiring quick API creation. This service is perfect for building proof-of-concept projects swiftly and scalably, with continuous deployment using GitHub or Azure DevOps repositories. Additionally, Azure Static Web Apps were highlighted for hosting front-end resources like React and Blazor, combining data APIs and user interfaces in an optimized developer environment. The session also included a practical example of creating a CRUD application connected to Cosmos DB, demonstrating how Azure Static Web Apps streamline the rapid and secure implementation of modern projects. Explore more about Azure Static Web Apps capabilities and best practices in the full content. Article: Hugo Deployed to Azure Static Web Apps Date:October 14, 2024 Author:CyberWatchDoug Link:Hugo Deployed to Azure Static Web Apps The article"Hugo Deployed to Azure Static Web Apps"details the process of deploying Hugo-built websites onAzure Static Web Apps (SWA), emphasizing the simplicity and flexibility provided by integration with GitHub Actions. The publication provides a step-by-step guide for setting up a static application in Azure, including GitHub authentication, repository selection, and configuring specific presets for Hugo. Additionally, the article addresses common questions about Hugo's version and explains how to customize the GitHub Actions workflow file to define environment variables likePLATFORM_NAMEandHUGO_VERSION, ensuring proper build execution. Azure SWA's integration is highlighted as an efficient solution for managing automated deployments, while tools likeOryxare suggested for additional build process control. The article also explores the potential for infrastructure customization to meet specific needs. With clear and practical guidelines, the article serves as an excellent introduction to usingAzure Static Web Apps for developers interested in deploying Hugo sites quickly and efficiently. Article: Implementing CI/CD for Azure Static Web Apps with GitHub Actions Date:October 22, 2024 Author:Syncfusion Link:Implementing CI/CD for Azure Static Web Apps with GitHub Actions The articleImplementing CI/CD for Azure Static Web Apps with GitHub Actionsoffers a comprehensive guide for setting up continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines with Azure Static Web Apps. It highlights how the native integration with GitHub simplifies automatic deployments, allowing changes to be published as soon as code is pushed to the repository. The benefits presented include integrated support for popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, along with features such as custom domains, automatic SSL certificates, and global content delivery. The article details the setup steps, from creating the resource in the Azure portal to generating automated workflows in GitHub Actions. Best practices are explored, such as using Azure Key Vault for credential security and caching to optimize build and deployment times. Monitoring deployments is addressed with native Azure tools and integrations with Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time notifications. The article emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of Azure Static Web Apps, especially for small projects or startups, thanks to its free tier that includes essential features. Check out the full content to understand how to apply these practices to your workflow and take advantage of this managed solution. Article: Deploying your portal with Azure Static Web Apps Date:October 24, 2024 Author:Qlik Talend Help home Link:Deploying your portal with Azure Static Web Apps This article provides a step-by-step guide to implementing a portal using Azure Static Web Apps by connecting a GitHub repository to the service for automated deployment. The process includes creating a Static Web App in Azure, configuring repositories and branches in GitHub, and using GitHub Actions for build and deployment automation. The integration with GitHub simplifies the development workflow and supports build tools like Hugo to generate static sites. Additionally, it mentions the automatically generated URL in Azure to access the portal after publication. Check out the full material to understand how Azure Static Web Apps facilitates creating and publishing static applications. Video: A Beginner’s Guide to Azure Static Web Apps Free Hosting for Blazor, React, Angular, Vue, & more! Date:October 21, 2024 Author:CliffTech Link:A Beginner’s Guide to Azure Static Web Apps Free Hosting for Blazor, React, Angular, Vue, & more! This video demonstrates a step-by-step process for hosting a React application usingAzure Static Web Apps, highlighting the benefits of this platform for front-end developers. It explores the differences betweenAzure Static Web AppsandAzure App Service, explaining that the former is ideal for static applications and provides features like automated CI/CD pipelines and GitHub integration for continuous deployment. The tutorial covers creating a Resource Group in the Azure portal, configuring theAzure Static Web Appsservice, and selecting source code directly from GitHub. Theautomated pipelinesfunctionality is highlighted, ensuring that any update to the main branch code is automatically published to the production environment. Additionally, the video explains how to customize the deployment, adjust output folders in the project's build, and add custom domains to personalize the application's URL. The platform is praised for its simplicity and agility, recommended for personal projects, hobbies, or even production, depending on the application's demands. Watch the video for detailed instructions and learn how this solution simplifies deploying modern applications with frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, and Next.js. Article: Configure File in Azure Static Web Apps Date:October 31, 2024 Author:TechCommunity Link:Configure File in Azure Static Web Apps The articleConfigure File in Azure Static Web Appsexplains how to customize settings in the Azure Static Web Apps service through thestaticwebapp.config.jsonfile. It covers different configuration scenarios depending on the type of application: no framework, pre-compiled frameworks (like MkDocs), and frameworks built during the deployment process (like React). Practical examples, such as customizing theAccess-Control-Allow-Originheader, are provided, detailing where to place the configuration file and how to adjust CI/CD workflows, whether using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps. The article also highlights best practices for integrating environment variables and handling dynamic build directories, ensuring that configurations are correctly applied. This is an essential guide for developers looking to customize their applications on Azure Static Web Apps and optimize the deployment process with modern frameworks. Explore the full article to learn more. Video: User Group App - Day 2: Deploy to Static Web Apps Date:October 30, 2024 Author:The Dev Talk Show Link:User Group App - Day 2: Deploy to Static Web Apps This video provides a step-by-step guide to deploying an application onAzure Static Web Appsin an automated way. During the demonstration, the presenters explore different approaches to configure and manage the service, highlighting tools likeAzure CLIandAzure Developer CLIto simplify the resource creation and deployment process. They also discuss best automation practices, such as generating reusable scripts and integrating with CI/CD pipelines via GitHub Actions. The concept of "automate everything" is emphasized as an essential strategy to ensure consistency and efficiency in projects. Furthermore, challenges and necessary configurations for linking GitHub repositories to the service are addressed, making the deployment of new versions faster and more integrated. Watch the full video to learn how to structure and automate the deployment of applications using Azure Static Web Apps. Documentation: Static React Web App + Functions with C# API and SQL Database on Azure Date:October 10, 2024 Author:Microsoft Learn Link:Static React Web App + Functions with C# API and SQL Database on Azure This guide outlines how to create and deploy a static application usingAzure Static Web Apps, with a React-based front-end and an Azure Functions back-end using a C# API and Azure SQL Database. The architecture highlights integration with complementary services like Azure Monitor for monitoring and Azure Key Vault for credential security. The guide includes a template for quick customization and configuration using the Azure Developer CLI (azd), making provisioning and deployment straightforward with commands likeazd up. Security features such as managed identities and advanced options like integration with Azure API Management (APIM) for backend protection are also covered. Additionally, the guide explores how to set up CI/CD pipelines, perform active monitoring, and debug locally, showcasing the flexibility and potential ofAzure Static Web Appsas a practical and scalable solution for modern applications. Article: Simple Steps to Deploy Angular Application on Azure Service Date:October 16, 2024 Author:Codewave Link:Simple Steps to Deploy Angular Application on Azure Service This article provides a detailed guide for deploying Angular applications usingAzure Static Web Apps, from prerequisites to launching the application in production. It highlights how this Azure service simplifies the deployment process, offering GitHub integration, pipeline automation, and scalable infrastructure. Initially, the article covers the basics of starting the project, such as creating a GitHub repository and setting up the Angular application using Angular CLI and Node.js. From there, it explores creating a Static Web App resource in the Azure portal, where integration with the GitHub repository is directly configured. This integration automates the entire build and deployment process, ensuring agility and precision. Key highlights include the simplicity of Azure's Angular presets, optimizing configuration steps like defining the application directory and output folder for final build files. The article also emphasizes that Azure Static Web Apps provides benefits like global infrastructure to minimize latency, advanced security measures to protect application data, and high reliability in content delivery. Finally, the deployment process is described as efficient and straightforward, with the application being published within minutes. The Azure-generated URL ensures global accessibility and optimized performance for users. The article not only presents the technical steps for using Azure Static Web Apps but also highlights its ability to improve the developer experience and provide scalable solutions for Angular applications. Explore the full content to understand each step and make the most of this powerful Azure tool. Article: End-to-End Full-Stack Web Application with Azure AD B2C Authentication: A Complete Guide Date:October 21, 2024 Author:TechCommunity Link:End-to-End Full-Stack Web Application with Azure AD B2C Authentication: A Complete Guide This article guides the creation of a full-stack application using Azure Static Web Apps to host a React-developed front-end integrated with Azure AD B2C for authentication and authorization. The service is highlighted for its automated deployment via GitHub Actions, enabling CI/CD pipeline configuration to manage front-end builds and publishing directly on the platform. The article explores setting up Azure Static Web Apps-specific environment variables, such as redirect URLs and authentication scopes, to ensure efficient backend integration. It also covers how Azure Static Web Apps connects with complementary services like Azure Web Apps for the backend and Azure SQL Database, forming a modern, scalable architecture. The documentation emphasizes using tools like MSAL to handle login flows on the front end and highlights the simplicity of Azure Static Web Apps in supporting modern and secure applications. For more details on implementation and configuration, check out the full article. Article: Case Study: E-Commerce App Deployment Using Azure AKS Date:October 24, 2024 Author:Shubham Gupta Link:Case Study: E-Commerce App Deployment Using Azure AKS This case study explores usingAzure Static Web Appsto host the front-end of a microservices-based e-commerce application, highlighting its integration with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The article demonstrates how the service facilitates connecting backend APIs hosted on AKS using custom domains configured via Ingress and Nginx. The ReactJS front-end is deployed onAzure Static Web Apps, leveraging its simplicity in configuration and built-in API support. API calls usingfetch()to consume backend services are showcased, emphasizing how the service enables a seamless interaction between front-end and backend components. Additionally, the article discusses best practices for testing and validating the integration between the front-end and microservices, ensuring performance and accessibility. This case study reinforcesAzure Static Web Apps as an efficient choice for modern applications utilizing microservices architecture. Article: Getting Started with Azure Blob Storage: A Step-by-Step Guide to Static Web Hosting Date:October 22, 2024 Author:ADEX Link:Getting Started with Azure Blob Storage: A Step-by-Step Guide to Static Web Hosting This article explores usingAzure Blob Storageto host static websites, offering an alternative toAzure Static Web Appsfor specific scenarios. It provides a step-by-step configuration guide, from creating a storage account to enabling the static website functionality. The content also compares the advantages and limitations of each service, emphasizing that while Azure Blob Storage is efficient for simple static sites,Azure Static Web Appsoffers more robust features such as native integration with GitHub and Azure DevOps, support for serverless APIs with Azure Functions, and optimized configurations for modern development. The article serves as a guide to understanding when to use Azure Blob Storage versus Azure Static Web Apps, considering the type of application, scalability needs, and available features. Explore the full article to discover which solution best fits your projects. Article: Canonical URL Troubleshooting - Managing Canonical URLs in Static Web Apps for SEO Optimization Date:October 12, 2024 Author:Mark Hazleton Link:Canonical URL Troubleshooting - Managing Canonical URLs in Static Web Apps for SEO Optimization This article addresses the complexities of managing canonical URLs inAzure Static Web Appsto optimize the SEO of static sites. It explores common issues, such as URL variations (/projectmechanics, /projectmechanics/, /projectmechanics/index.html), which can lead to penalties for duplicate content in search engines. The author details solutions, including using canonical tags in page headers and configuring redirects in thestaticwebapp.config.jsonfile. While these approaches mitigate some challenges, they don’t fully resolve the presented issues. The most effective solution involved integratingAzure Static Web AppswithCloudflare Page Rules, leveraging Cloudflare's redirection capabilities to configure permanent (301) redirects and consolidate canonical URLs. This combination ensured efficient URL management, eliminating conflicts and enhancing user and search engine experiences. This article is a must-read for developers seeking to strengthen SEO in static projects and learn how to integrate complementary solutions like Cloudflare with Azure Static Web Apps. Check out the full article for a detailed guide and useful configuration links. Article: 1.4b Deploy application with Azure App Service Part 2 Date:October 9, 2024 Author:Cloud Native Link:1.4b Deploy application with Azure App Service Part 2 This article details the process of deploying applications usingAzure App Service, covering both backend and frontend components, with a focus on ensuring seamless communication between them. While the main highlight is using the Maven Azure Web App Plugin for Java applications, the content is also relevant for developers interested in integration withAzure Static Web Apps. Highlights include: Preparation and Configuration:How to prepare applications for deployment by creating packages (WAR and ZIP) and properly configuring thepom.xmlfor Maven. Backend Deployment:Using Maven to create and/or update the App Service automatically. Frontend Deployment:Configuring and deploying a ReactJS application, emphasizing using Azure CLI commands to manage services, set up startup files, and restart the app to apply changes. Verification and Testing:Guidelines to ensure deployed services work as expected and to debug issues like browser caching. Resource Cleanup:Instructions on removing resources to avoid unnecessary costs after testing. The article offers valuable insights into usingAzure Static Web Appsfor integrated application front-ends, mentioning the importance of features like authentication and serverless API support for modern applications. Developers can explore the synergy between Azure App Service and Azure Static Web Apps to maximize project efficiency. For more details, read the full article and explore the links to additional documentation. Conclusion October was an inspiring month, full of incredible contributions from the technical community about Azure Static Web Apps! 💙 We’d like to thank all the authors and content creators who dedicated their time to sharing their knowledge, helping to strengthen this amazing community. Every article, video, and project enriches learning and promotes the adoption of this powerful technology. If you want to learn more, check out theofficial documentation, explore the tutorials, and join the technical community transforming the development of static applications. 🚀 How to Participate or See Your Content Featured? Create something amazing (article, video, or project) about Azure Static Web Apps. Share it on social media with the hashtag#AzureStaticWebApps. Publish it in the official repository onGitHuband participate in the monthly discussions. If you enjoyed this article, share it with your network so more people can benefit from this content! Use the share buttons or copy the link directly. Your participation helps promote knowledge and strengthens our technical community. Let’s build a more connected and collaborative ecosystem together! 💻✨ See you in the next edition, and keep exploring the potential of Azure Static Web Apps! 👋Responsible AI Resources for Developers
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, AI stands at the forefront of innovation. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As developers, we play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI, ensuring it aligns with ethical standards and societal values. Microsoft is committed to guiding developers on this journey with resources and tools designed to develop responsible AI.Essentials for building and modernizing AI apps on Azure
Building and modernizing AI applications is complex—but Azure Essentials simplifies the journey. With a structured, three-stage approach—Readiness and Foundation, Design and Govern, Manage and Optimize—it provides tools, best practices, and expert guidance to tackle key challenges like skilled resource gaps, modernization, and security. Discover how to streamline AI app development, enhance scalability, and achieve cost efficiency while driving business value. Ready to transform your AI journey? Explore the Azure Essentials Hub today.Kickstart projects with azd Templates
Navigating today’s software development challenges requires streamlined tools and frameworks. The Azure Developer CLI (azd) simplifies provisioning and deployment on Azure with its intuitive, developer-focused commands. Beyond mere automation, azd templates provide reusable blueprints for proof-of-concept projects, complete configurations for managed systems, and robust Infrastructure as Code assets. By accelerating application development and eliminating redundant setup, azd enables developers to focus on innovation. Embrace azd to enhance productivity and adapt to the evolving development landscape effortlessly.AI Toolkit for Visual Studio Code: October 2024 Update Highlights
The AI Toolkit’s October 2024 update revolutionizes Visual Studio Code with game-changing features for developers, researchers, and enthusiasts. Explore multi-model integration, including GitHub Models, ONNX, and Google Gemini, alongside custom model support. Dive into multi-modal capabilities for richer AI testing and seamless multi-platform compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Tailored for productivity, the enhanced Model Catalog simplifies choosing the best tools for your projects. Try it now and share feedback to shape the future of AI in VS Code!Building Safer AI Applications: A Practical Approach
Building AI-powered applications requires careful attention to responsible development practices. This blog shares our experience implementing AI safety measures while developing a hotel search application with Microsoft Azure services, highlighting practical approaches for developers.
