Personal Access Tokens (PATs) in Azure DevOps are used as an alternative to username and password for authentication. They are essential for accessing Azure DevOps services, especially when dealing with automation or integration with other systems. Here’s a guide on how to create, use, and manage PATs in Azure DevOps:

Creating a PAT in Azure DevOps

1. Sign in to Azure DevOps: Go to your Azure DevOps organization (https://{yourorganization}.visualstudio.com).

2. Access User Settings: Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner and select “Personal access tokens”.

3. Create New Token: Click on “+ New Token”.

4. Configure Token:

   • Give your token a descriptive name.
   • Choose the organization where you want to use the token.
   • Set an expiration date. It’s important for security to not set it too far in the future.
   • Select the scopes for this PAT. Scopes control access to various parts of your Azure DevOps account. Be as specific as possible to follow the principle of least privilege.

5. Create: Click “Create” to generate the token.

6. Copy and Store the PAT: Once created, make sure to copy and securely store the PAT. You won’t be able to see it again after leaving this page.

Using the PAT

• Authentication: You can use the PAT in place of a password when prompted for authentication with Azure DevOps services.
• APIs and Scripts: Include the PAT in scripts or API calls to authenticate with Azure DevOps.

Best Practices and Management

• Security: Treat your PAT like a password. Keep it secure and do not share it.
• Regenerate Tokens Regularly: Periodically regenerate your PATs to minimize the risk in case of a leak.
• Minimal Scope: Only grant the necessary permissions to each PAT.
• Expiration: Set expiration dates to ensure that old tokens are invalidated.
• Audit: Regularly review your PATs, their scopes, and their usage.

Troubleshooting and Tips

• If your PAT isn’t working, check if it has expired or if the scopes don’t match the required permissions.
• If you no longer need a PAT, revoke it to ensure it can’t be used for unauthorized access.
• Consider using different PATs for different projects or integrations for better control and security.

Remember, PATs are a powerful tool and should be managed carefully to ensure the security and integrity of your Azure DevOps environment.