A Personal Access Token (PAT) in Azure DevOps is a security token that allows an individual user or a script to authenticate and interact with Azure DevOps services, APIs, and resources without the need for a password. PATs are commonly used for various purposes, including automation, integration with third-party tools, and accessing Azure DevOps resources securely. Here’s how to create a PAT in Azure DevOps:

Note: Treat your PAT with care, as it provides access to your Azure DevOps resources. Keep it confidential and do not share it publicly.

Here are the steps to create a Personal Access Token in Azure DevOps:

1. Sign In to Azure DevOps:

   • Go to the Azure DevOps portal (https://dev.azure.com) and sign in with your Azure DevOps account.

2. Access User Settings:

   • Click on your user profile picture or initials in the upper-right corner of the Azure DevOps portal to open the user menu.

3. Access Security Settings:

   • From the user menu, select “Security.”

4. Create a Personal Access Token:

   • In the “Personal access tokens” section, click on the “New token” button to create a new PAT.

5. Configure PAT Details:

   • Provide a name for your token to help you identify its purpose.
   • Choose the organization (if you have access to multiple organizations).
   • Set the expiration date for the token. You can choose from predefined expiration periods or set a custom date.
   • Define the scopes or permissions for the token. Scopes determine what resources and actions the token can access. Be cautious and only grant the necessary permissions.

6. Generate the Token:

   • After configuring the token details, click the “Create” or “Save” button to generate the PAT.

7. Copy the Token:

   • Once the PAT is generated, you will see the token value displayed on the screen. Copy this token immediately, as it won’t be visible again.

8. Store the Token Securely:

   • Store the copied PAT securely in a safe location, as you won’t be able to retrieve it again. Do not share it openly or include it in code repositories.

9. Use the PAT:

   • You can use the PAT as a bearer token in your scripts, applications, or tools to authenticate with Azure DevOps services and APIs. Include it in the HTTP request headers when making requests to Azure DevOps.

10. Manage and Revoke Tokens:

    • You can manage your PATs, including revoking or deleting them, from the “Personal access tokens” section in the Security settings of your Azure DevOps account.

Remember to follow best practices for managing PATs:

• Rotate tokens regularly, especially if they have long expiration periods.
• Limit the permissions granted to each token to the minimum required for its intended purpose.
• Never share or expose PATs in public code repositories or public places.

By following these steps, you can create a Personal Access Token in Azure DevOps and use it securely for various automation and integration tasks.