Linux Wordpress App Service - Run Startup command on app service instead of Kudu

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Linux Wordpress App Service - Run Startup command on app service instead of Kudu

spurro 60

Stack: Wordpress

container image: mcr.microsoft.com/appsvc/wordpress-debian-php:8.3

Is it possible to run the app service Startup command on the actual app service, rather than Kudu?

I have a script which is reliant on dependencies that exist on the app service, but not in the Kudu container. When the startup command runs as a post-deployment action, it runs on Kudu, which causes an error because the dependency doesn't exist. Also, running apt-get seems to not be an option, as its not possible to execute sudo in the Kudu service. (Attempting to run apt-get install results in "Unable to acquire the dpkg frontend lock (/var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend), are you root?")

If I could run the startup script on the app service, the apt-get step would not even be needed.

Unless there is a way to run apt-get on Kudu as root, which based on my research so far seems not to be possible

Thanks,

Steve

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Shree Hima Bindu Maganti 4,775 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @spurro
Running a startup command directly on the App Service instead of Kudu is not supported. Startup commands are executed in the Kudu environment, which is separate from the App Service runtime. Therefore, any dependencies or commands relying on the App Service's environment will not work in Kudu.

Unfortunately, Kudu does not allow running commands with root privileges (like apt-get), so you cannot install additional packages or dependencies not already included in the App Service container image. Kudu is primarily designed for deployment and debugging, and it does not offer the same level of access as the App Service runtime.

If your application requires specific dependencies unavailable in the Kudu environment, consider alternative approaches, such as including those dependencies in your application package or using a different container image with the required dependencies pre-installed.

References:

Configure a Linux Python app for Azure App Service
Run a post-deployment script
Container startup process
Let me know if you have any further assistances needed.

spurro 60 Reputation points

2025-06-02T17:27:36.3966667+00:00

Thank you! How would you recommend running a command on the app service runtime during or after a deployment from Devops?

In this specific example, my dependency is 'python3-yaml'. This comes included with the wordpress/php app service, however it does not with Kudu. If I could run the command directly on the app service during the deployment pipeline, this would solve my issue. It does not necessarily need to be a 'startup' command.
Shree Hima Bindu Maganti 4,775 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-05T18:38:20.1466667+00:00
Hi @spurro
Apology for your Inconveniences.

You can run commands directly on the App Service runtime during or after deployment using post-deployment scripts. Although Kudu does not support running commands with root privileges, you can include necessary dependencies in your application package or use a container image with the required dependencies pre-installed.

For your case with 'python3-yaml', consider including it in your application package or using a custom Docker container that already has this dependency installed. This ensures the dependency is available in the App Service environment without relying on Kudu.

Additionally, you can define a post-deployment script in your GitHub Actions workflow to run commands after deployment. This script can set up necessary configurations or environment variables for your application.

References:

Run a post-deployment script

Configure a Linux Python app for Azure App Service

Container startup process
Let me know if you have any further assistances needed.

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