How to run a function from a Azure Function App local in VS Code?

Question

How to run a function from a Azure Function App local in VS Code?

Khalid Hajjouji 50

I created a simple pipeline with (Bicep and Yaml) which creates an Azure Function App (PowerShell) with 1 function. I can modify the PowerShell code in VS Code and commit/sync (GIT) it to Azure Dev Ops repository. I can run the pipeline to deploy the latest version to the Azure Function App.

How can I run the function from VS Code local to test it? I am using some PowerShell modules from the requirements.psd1 file.

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Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-08T09:22:52.0033333+00:00
Khalid Hajjouji
To run a function from an Azure Function App locally in Visual Studio Code, follow these steps:

Open your project in Visual Studio Code where your Azure Function App is located.

Ensure you have the Azure Functions extension installed, as it provides the necessary tools to run and debug your functions locally.

Set up your local environment: Make sure your local.settings.json file is configured correctly, including any required connection strings and settings for your PowerShell modules.

Run the function locally:

The output will be displayed in the Terminal panel, and any notifications regarding the execution will appear in Visual Studio Code.

Press F5 to start debugging your function. This will use the Azure Functions Core Tools to run your function locally.

View the output:

Alternatively, you can use the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and enter Azure Functions: Execute function now. Choose your function from the list and provide any required input in the prompt.

By following these steps, you could test your Azure Function locally before deploying it to Azure.

References:

Develop Azure Functions by using Visual Studio Code (programming-language-powershell)

Debug PowerShell Azure Functions locally
Khalid Hajjouji 50 Reputation points

2025-04-08T09:57:29.62+00:00

Is it true I can also use the command line? For example the command: func start
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-08T10:31:24.7233333+00:00
@Khalid Hajjouji ,
Yes, you're correct — in addition to using Visual Studio Code, you can run your Azure Function App locally from the command line using Azure Functions Core Tools.

To do this, follow these steps:

Run Function Locally via CLI

Open a terminal in VS Code (or your preferred shell).

Navigate to the root directory of your function app (where host.json is located).

Run the command:
func start

This will start the local Azure Functions runtime and you’ll see output with function URLs like:

Http Functions: MyFunction: [GET,POST] http://localhost:7071/api/MyFunction

You can then invoke your function using tools like Postman, curl, or your browser (for HTTP triggers).

Ref:
Start the Functions runtime
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-09T11:26:24.8133333+00:00

@Khalid Hajjouji ,

I wanted to check in and see if my earlier response addressed your question. If you still need assistance or have additional questions, feel free to share more details
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-10T13:45:46.9733333+00:00

@Khalid Hajjouji ,

Just following up again to see if you were able to resolve the issue or if there's anything else I can assist you with.

1 answer

Your answer

Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-08T09:22:52.0033333+00:00

Khalid Hajjouji
To run a function from an Azure Function App locally in Visual Studio Code, follow these steps:

Open your project in Visual Studio Code where your Azure Function App is located.

Ensure you have the Azure Functions extension installed, as it provides the necessary tools to run and debug your functions locally.

Set up your local environment: Make sure your local.settings.json file is configured correctly, including any required connection strings and settings for your PowerShell modules.

Run the function locally:

The output will be displayed in the Terminal panel, and any notifications regarding the execution will appear in Visual Studio Code.

Press F5 to start debugging your function. This will use the Azure Functions Core Tools to run your function locally.

View the output:

Alternatively, you can use the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and enter Azure Functions: Execute function now. Choose your function from the list and provide any required input in the prompt.

By following these steps, you could test your Azure Function locally before deploying it to Azure.

References:

Develop Azure Functions by using Visual Studio Code (programming-language-powershell)

Debug PowerShell Azure Functions locally
Khalid Hajjouji 50 Reputation points

2025-04-08T09:57:29.62+00:00

Is it true I can also use the command line? For example the command: func start
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-08T10:31:24.7233333+00:00

@Khalid Hajjouji ,
Yes, you're correct — in addition to using Visual Studio Code, you can run your Azure Function App locally from the command line using Azure Functions Core Tools.

To do this, follow these steps:

Run Function Locally via CLI

Open a terminal in VS Code (or your preferred shell).

Navigate to the root directory of your function app (where host.json is located).

Run the command:
func start

This will start the local Azure Functions runtime and you’ll see output with function URLs like:

Http Functions: MyFunction: [GET,POST] http://localhost:7071/api/MyFunction

You can then invoke your function using tools like Postman, curl, or your browser (for HTTP triggers).

Ref:
Start the Functions runtime
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-09T11:26:24.8133333+00:00

@Khalid Hajjouji ,

I wanted to check in and see if my earlier response addressed your question. If you still need assistance or have additional questions, feel free to share more details
Khadeer Ali 5,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-10T13:45:46.9733333+00:00

@Khalid Hajjouji ,

Just following up again to see if you were able to resolve the issue or if there's anything else I can assist you with.

Answer 1

@Khalid Hajjouji ,

Yes, you can run your Azure Function App locally using either Visual Studio Code or the command line:

Option 1:

Open your project in Visual Studio Code where your Azure Function App is located.
Ensure you have the Azure Functions extension installed, as it provides the necessary tools to run and debug your functions locally.
Set up your local environment: Make sure your local.settings.json file is configured correctly, including any required connection strings and settings for your PowerShell modules.
Run the function locally:
1. The output will be displayed in the Terminal panel, and any notifications regarding the execution will appear in Visual Studio Code.
2. Press F5 to start debugging your function. This will use the Azure Functions Core Tools to run your function locally.
View the output:
- Alternatively, you can use the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and enter Azure Functions: Execute function now. Choose your function from the list and provide any required input in the prompt.