Personal Access Tokens (PATs) in Azure DevOps are a secure way to authenticate and access Azure DevOps services without using your regular credentials. They are particularly useful for scripts, on a local machine, or for integrating external tools with Azure DevOps. Here’s an overview of how to create and manage Personal Access Tokens in Azure DevOps:

Creating a Personal Access Token

1. Sign in to Azure DevOps: Go to your Azure DevOps organization.

2. Access User Settings: Click on your profile in the top right corner, then select “Personal access tokens.”

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

4. Set Name and Expiry: Give your token a name that clearly identifies its use. Set an expiry date for the token – short-lived tokens are more secure but require more maintenance.

5. Select Scopes: Define the access level for the PAT. Scopes control what this token can access. It’s best to adhere to the principle of least privilege, only granting the access necessary for the tasks the token will perform.

6. Create: After configuring the token, click “Create.”

7. Copy and Store the Token: Once created, copy the token and store it securely. You won’t be able to see it again after leaving this screen.

Using a Personal Access Token

• Use the PAT in place of your password when performing Git operations over HTTPS.
• For Azure DevOps REST API calls, use the PAT as the authentication token.
• If using it in scripts, ensure the script is stored securely, especially if it’s in a source control system.

Best Practices and Security

• Limit Scope and Duration: Only grant the permissions necessary for the tasks and set a reasonable expiry.
• Keep it Confidential: Treat your PAT like a password. Don’t share it or include it in unsecured locations.
• Regularly Review and Rotate: Regularly check and update your PATs, revoking those that are no longer needed.
• Avoid Hardcoding PATs: Don’t hardcode PATs in your code. Use secure methods of storing and retrieving them, such as environment variables or secret management tools.

Managing and Revoking

• You can manage and revoke your PATs from the same “Personal access tokens” page in your profile settings. Regularly review your active tokens and revoke those that are no longer needed or have been compromised.

Remember, while PATs are a powerful tool for authentication and access, they should be managed with care to ensure the security of your Azure DevOps environment.